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!') } J CORPORATION GULCH WATERSHEO' . The proposed Corporation Gulch Watershed Project containing 3,440 acres, is located in northeastern Madison County. The watershed includes a portion of the city of Norfolk and extends three mi les northwest of the city. Erosion and flooding are the prevalent problems in the watershed. The 1'-1ad i son County So i I and ~Iater Conservat i on Oi stri ct, the Node I k Ora i nage and San i tary District and the City of Norfolk are sponsoring the watershed. The Soi I Conservation Service and other state and federal agencies have provided assistance in the development of this project. Current Status The project has been approved and is authorized for construction. Upon receipt of needed land rights, construction can be initiated. This project has been endorsed as a part of Nebraska's State Water Plan by the Nebraska Soi I and Water Conservation Commission. Description of Proiect Area Corporation Gulch is an intermittent stream flowing southeast through the west side of Norfolk to the southwest edge of town and to the Elkhorn River about one-half mi Ie south of Norfo I k. Topography of the watershed varies from steeply sloping hi I Is to relatively flat, nearly level flood plains that extend across the Elkhorn Val ley. Upland soi Is are chiefly sl It and clay mixtures derived from parent loess materials. Flood plain soi Is are a si It loam. The area's precipitation often occurs in the form of high-intensity, short duration thunderstorms. The average annual precipitation is about 24 inches. The growing season is 155 days with 66 percent of the annual precipitation occurring during that time. The economy of the watershed is based on dryland agriculture and urban employment. Land use distribution is 51 percent cropland, 26 percent urban, 11 percent pasture, and 12 percent other. The majority of farms are smal I with the owners quite often depending upon other sources for supp I ementa I income. Extent of Proiect Investiqations A work plan has been publ ished for this project. Plan Features One multi-purpose structure would provide reduction in floodwater damages to 335 homes and business establ ishments, 9 city bridges, and also furnish water for recreation. Park and recreational faci I ities would also be provided on 120 acres of land adjacent to the reservoir. Project Benefits Benefits from the project would include the reduction in erosion and floodwater damage in the watershed plus recreation benefits and indirect benefits. The structure would control runoff from 42 percent of the watershed and would retain runoff from a 200-year frequency storm event without operation of the emergency spi Ilway. Remaininq Water Resource Problems and Needs Remaining problems and needs of the project area include reduction of the pollution of the Elkhorn River and the sedimentation and soi I erosion of the area. Increased land treatment is needed. . llCorporatlon Gulch \~atershed Work Planll, March 1968. For information, write: City Engineer, Norfolk, Nebraska; or, State Conservationist, Soi I Conservation Service, Lincoln, Nebraska. . 2-1