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<br />-~~ <br />,>'-' <br /> <br />LOUP RIVER PROJECT AT COLUMBUS, NEBRASKA' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This potential project has been planned by the Army Corps of Engineers in response to a <br />request from local interests in the Columbus area. Floods on the loup River at Columbus occur <br />as a result of runoff from 6,530 square m! les of contributing area. <br />The purpose of this project would be to reduce flooding in the southwestern portion of <br />Columbus where, in the past, many businesses, homes, transportation faci lities and special use <br />areas have been inundated by flood waters. The latest flood, in August of 1966, resulted in <br />damages in the Columbus area estimated at $1,435,000. <br /> <br />Current Status <br /> <br />A detai led project report has been completed for this proposed project and has been <br />approved by the Corps' Chief of Engineers. The Nebraska Soi I and Water Conservation Commission <br />has endorsed this project as a part of Nebraska's State Water Plan. <br /> <br />Description of Project Area <br /> <br />Columbus, Nebraska is located in the southern portion of Platte County <br />of the Loup River just upstream from its confluence with the Platte River. <br />marketing and trade center for the surrounding agricultural area and has in <br />several manufacturing companies of national prominence. <br />The Loup River flood plain is located in the western and southern portions of the city. <br />Included in this area are 24 businesses and 634 residences. The Wagner lake area, a recreational <br />and residential development constructed around a group of former sand pits, is located at the <br />southwest edge of the city adjacent to the Loup River. Natural and man-made controls on the <br />Platte River above Columbus nearly el iminate the Platte Flood threat. <br /> <br />along the left bank <br />The city serves as a <br />recent years attracted <br /> <br />Extent of Project Investlqations <br /> <br />In 1934, a report by the Corps of Engineers was published as House Document 197 in which <br />the flood problem at Columbus was mentioned. The report concluded that the local flood problem <br />was not serious at that time. <br />A reconnaissance study made by the Bureau of Reclamation in June of 1962 gave consideration <br />to a potential multi-purpose reservoir on the loup River upstream from Columbus near Fullerton, <br />Nebraska. The study indicated that the project was not feasible. In August of 1963, the Corps <br />of Engineers was requested to make a reconnaissance study of a potential reservoir at the <br />Fullerton site. The study indicated that a storage project at the Fullerton site lacked economic <br />feasibi lity by a wide margin and that further detai led studies were not warranted. <br />In 1962, the Corps of Engineers undertook a reconnaissance investigation of a potential <br />section 205 flood protection project along lost Creek in the northern section of Columbus. The <br />investigation Indicated that a feasible project could not be developed. <br />A review study of the Platte River Basin including the Loup River and Its tributaries is <br />currently under way. Results of this study indicate that the flood problem at Columbus can <br />be isolated and consideration of the problem under the provisions of section 205 of the 1948 <br />Flood Control Act, as amended, is warranted. <br /> <br />Plan Features <br /> <br />The project, as recommended in the report, would consist of a levee providing protection <br />against a flood having a discharge of 150,000 cubic feet per second which is 62 percent of a <br />standard project flood. The levee would be 28,450 feet long and would be constructed along the <br />left bank of the Loup River. The upstream end of the levee would tie to the county road on the <br />north side of Section 23 west of Columbus. Channel and levee riprap protection would be provided <br />in the vicinity of the Union Pacific Rai lroad and U. S. Highways 30-81 bridges. Faci lities <br />wou I d be provi ded at severa I locat Ions to dra i n the area beh i nd the levee. Gates wou I d be <br />provided on existing storm and sanitary sewer outfal Is. Trees and shrubbery would be provided <br />at selected locations along the levee area to beautify the project. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />"Loup River at Columbus, Nebraska", Detailed Project Report, June 1967. <br />write: District Engineer, Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska. <br /> <br />For information, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />7-5 <br />