Report on the Platte River Basin, Nebraska Level B Study

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PREFACE The Platte is undoubtedly one of the best known rivers leading west from the Missouri River. Indians made their homes along its banks, westward treking pioneers followed its course, and homesteaders settled the fertile land that it drained and established one of the most prosperous agricultural economies in the Great Plains. An abundance of water, especially for irrigated agriculture, has been a key factor in the area's development. In the 1960's, it became evident from reduced streamflows and lowering ground water levels that there was not enough water for unlimited future use. Framework and other studies completed late in that decade indicated that competition between water uses would continue to increase in the future. A more detailed study of the Platte River Basin in Nebraska was recommended and that recommendation was the impetus for initiation and completion of this study as discussed in the introductory chapter of the report. In a "Waterand Related Land Resources Planning" policy statement in July 1970, the U. S. Water Resources Council defined three levels of planning —A, B, and C. Level B studies, like this study of the Platte, result in regional or river basin plans needed to resolve complex long -range problems. Level A is framework studies or assessments and Level C is implementation studies. Fourteen technical papers were prepared by task forces during the Platte Study and provide support and additional detail for the plan and recommendations in this docu- ment. The technical papers are available on a limited basis from the Missouri River Basin Commission. Technical paper titles are: Existing Studies Inventory Land Use and Economics Hydrology and Hydraulics Legal and Institutional Municipal, Industrial, and Domestic Water Agricultural Water Land Conservation and Sedimentation Water Quality Flood Damage and Control Outdoor Recreation Fish and Wildlife Electric Power Stream - Aquifer Hydrology Plan Formulation An environmental assessment which summarizes the environmental effects of the recommended plan is available for review at the Missouri River Basin Commission office in Omaha, Nebraska. The plan and recommendations included in this report were reviewed in draft form by federal agencies and states of the Commission as required by P.L. 89 -80. Ap- propriate revisions were made in the report as a result of the review, and letters transmitting review comments are bound in the report appendix. This report is to be submitted to the U. S. Water Resources Council for review and transmittal to the President and by him to the U. S. Congress. The recommended plan and recommendations in the report are to be used bythe Missouri River Basin Commis- sion, U. S. Water Resources Council, the Congress and the State of Nebraska as a flexible guide to water and related land resources management in the Platte River Basin in Nebraska. The plan will be updated through combined continuing development of Nebraska's State Water Plan and MRBC's Comprehensive, Coordinated Joint Plan. All future detailed planning should be accomplished by those agencies and departments as outlined in this report. iv