WSP05255

• File Number: 8407.500
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications - Missouri River
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 5/1/1980
• Author: MRBC
• Title: Missouri River Basin Water Resources Management Plan - Part II - Chapters VII-Appendix F
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER 7 - PLATTE - NIOBRARA SUBBASIN
SUBBASIN DESCRIPTION
The Platte-Niobrara Subbasin extends from the southwestern portion of the
Missouri River Basin in Colorado and wyoming eastward through Nebraska to the
Missouri River. As indicated in figure 7-1, the subbasin includes lands
drained by the Platte and Niobrara Rivers and ponca Creek for a combined area
of 63.7 million acres in Colorado., Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The
subbasin extends about 600 miles in an east-west direction and about 300 miles
in a north-south direction at its widest point. Topography varies greatly; its
western boundary is the top of the continental divide in Colorado and Wyoming
while the flood plain of the Missouri River forms part of its border in the
east.

The Platte River is formed by the junction of the North and South Platte

Rivers in west-central Nebraska; from there it flows across Nebraska to the

Missouri River. The Niobrara River flows along the subbasin's northern edge,

emptying into the Missouri River above Lewis and Clark Lake.

The character of the natural environment is highly diverse. Mountainous,

forested tracts give way to foothills and high plains in the far west. These

areas support large populations of big game animals and high quality cold water

fisheries. Moving eastward, land use is dominated by intense agricultural

activity. The subbasin's agricultural lands provide important habitat for a

variety of birds and small animals. The streams, sand pits, ponds, and lakes

across Nebraska and in eastern wyoming and Colorado provide warm water fish
habitat.

Natural formations of significant esthetic values exist in the subbasin,

especially the scenic vistas in the Rocky Mountains and the unique Sand Hills

terrain. The area is also historically rich, providing traces of the history

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7-1