WSP03132

• File Number: 8407.400
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications - Nebraska
• State: NE
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 3/1/1969
• Author: Nebraska Soil and Wa
• Title: Nebraskas State Water Plan - Status Summary - Volume I - Potential Projects
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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LITTLE BLUE UNIT'

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The potential Little Blue Unit is located on the Little Blue River in Clay, Nuckolls,
Thayer and Jefferson Counties in south-central Nebraska.
The Little Blue Flood Control and Conservation Association and the Little Blue Irrigation
District have shown interest in this potential multi-purpose project. The U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation is planning the project.

Current Status

A feasibi I ity report has been prepared on this project. Construction wi II depend upon
construction authorization and provision of funds by the Congress. Prior to construction,
fifteen months would be required to collect final design data.

Description of Proiect Area

The area encompassing the Little Blue Unit is comprised of loess mantled uplands with a
wel I-developed drainage pattern, narrow terraces and narrow flood plains.
The average annual precipitation is 27 inches of which about 83 percent occurs during the
six-month growing season from Apri I through September.
The economy is agriculturally based with I ivestock, wheat, and corn being the chief exports
of the area. Most of the few industrial concerns in the area are engaged in the processing of
local agricultural products.

Extent of Proiect lnvestiqations

In the fal I of 1949, prel iminary investigations were made by the Bureau of Reclamation to
select a storage site on the Little Blue River and to locate arable areas. These studies were
carried on into the early 1950's and an alternate body of arable lands was selected for potential
development. In 1958, a reconnaissance report was published with detai led plans of the storage
site and arable land. In 1962, an unpublished evaluation of the feasibi lity of the unit with
1 rr i gat i on was camp I eted. I n October of 1966, the Bureau of Rec I amat i on pub Ii shed a deta I led
feasibi I ity report of this area including Angus Dam and Reservoir and irrigable areas with the
irrigation function deferred. This was updated in a January 1968 report.

Plan Features

Included in this plan is the Angus Dam and Reservoir which would be located approximately
three mi les northwest of the town of Angus. A combination spi I Iway and river outlet works with
a capacity of 158,800 c.f.s. would be located in the left abutment. The canal outlet ~Iorks to
be located in the right abutment would have a maximum capacity of 220 c.f.s. Construction of
the canals and pumping plants associated with the future irrigation of 20,000 acres would be
deferred. An estimated 1,920 acres of land would be purchased specifically for fish and wi Id-
life purposes.

Proiect Benefits

Flood control is one of the primary functions of the proposed Angus Dam and Reservoir.
This reservoir would significantly reduce the flooding of val ley lands, several cities and
towns, a number of roads and highways, and uti lities and rai I road I ines. Other direct benefits
for recreation, fish and wi Idl ife would also be derived from this project. The recreation, fish
and wi Idlife features of this project wi I I provide 110,650 recreation days, 32,600 fisherman
days, and 150 hunter days. Irrigation would provide direct benefits, but would be deferred for
20 years.

Remaininq Water Resource Problems and Needs

The most predominant remaining needs in this area are additional flood control, the
stabi lization of ground water levels, and the extension of irrigation to stabi I ize agricultural
production at higher and more profitable levels.

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!!Angus Dam and Reservoir1!, Little Blue Unit, Nebraska, Blue Division, October 1966.
Information write: Project Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, McCook, Nebraska.
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