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,'-' ',J :_ CLATON I A CREEK \'IATERSHED' . The proposed Clatonia Creek Watershed Project encompasses 25,960 acres in Gage and Lancaster Counties. The Clatonia Creek Watershed Conservancy District and the Gage County and Lancaster Soi 1 and Water Conservation Districts are sponsoring the watershed. The Soi I Conservation Service and other state and federal agencies are supplying technical assistance in the planning of this watershed. Primary watershed problems are flooding and soi 1 erosion. Current Status The Clatonia Creek Watershed has undergone al I necessary planning steps and is now awaiting construction start approval by the Bureau of the Budget. been endorsed by the Nebraska Soi I and Water Conservation Commission as part State Water Plan. toward construction The project has of Nebraska's Description of Project Area Clatonia Creek begins in the southwest part of Lancaster County and flows southwesterly across the Gage County I ine and enters the Big Blue River one-half mi Ie east of the Sal ine County line and Dewitt, Nebraska. Topography varies from nearly level to gently sloping upland divides to moderately sloping areas along the more deeply entrenched stream. The average annual precipitation at Beatrice is approximately 29 inches. The average length of the growing season is 168 days with 82 percent of the annual precipitation occurring during that time. The economy of the watershed is based on dryland agriculture. The distribution of land use is approximately 68 percent cropland, 26 percent pasture and rangeland and 6 percent for other uses. Extent of Proiect Investiqations This project has undergone both prel iminary and work plan investigations. Plan Features This project would consist of land treatment and the installation of eight floodwater retarding structures. These structures would control runoff from 46 percent of the drainage area. AI I structures would have sufficient storage capacity to detain runoff from a 25-year frequency storm event without operation of the emergency spi Ilway. In addition, two structures, 3-A and 7-A, would have capacity to detain runoff from a 50 and 100 year frequency storm, respectively. These measures would provide reductions in floodwater damage to 31 farms. Proiect Benefits Project benefits come from agricultural, non-agricultural, indirect and downstream sources. The project would reduce average annual dollar damages to crop and pasture by 70 percent. The project would also reduce the area inundated by the four-year frequency storm event from 1,360 acres to 608 acres or by 55 percent. Remaininq Water Resource Problems and Needs Additional land treatment is needed to further reduce soi I erosion and sedimentation. Remaining flood damages wi I I be significant without adequate treatment. Proiect Costs . Total costs of this proposed project are estimated to be $696,000. The local share includes $88,000 for land, easements and rights-of-way, and administration of contracts. , "Clatonia Creek Watershed Work Planll, Febr. 1966. For Information, write: Conservationist, Soi I Conservation Service, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. State 1-1