ROCK PORT, Mo. – Engineers and project members from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Nebraska DNR, Nebraska Public Power District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, initiated a feasibility study to assess flood risk reduction measures along the Missouri River in Nemaha County, Nebraska, and Atchison County, Missouri, during a signing ceremony on Jan. 15, 2025.
Flooding along the Missouri River has long been a concern for residents of Atchison and Nemaha counties, with major flood events such as the 2011 and 2019 floods highlighting the need for improved flood risk measures. The region continues to face risks from higher river levels during periods of heavy rainfall and snowmelt upstream, putting communities, property, infrastructure and agriculture at risk.
In response to these challenges, USACE partnered with Missouri and Nebraska DNR to conduct a joint feasibility study to assess and identify sustainable flood mitigation strategies. The study will explore a range of potential measures, including levee modifications, floodplain management and ecosystem restoration aimed at reducing the flood risk currently experienced by local communities.
“This study follows years of diverse efforts from teams including local levee districts, state resource agencies and conservation organizations that have worked to improve flood risk and resiliency in the Lower Missouri River Basin,” said Drew Minert, USACE, Omaha District, planning branch chief. “Our study will build on the foundation of this work.”
By pooling resources and expertise, the Omaha District and state agencies will work with public stakeholders to explore feasible flood prevention measures. This feasibility study will last approximately three years and will end with a recommended plan.
“The study area includes the Missouri River reach from near the mouth of the Nishnabotna River downstream to the Holt County line, where another feasibility study is currently ongoing,” Minert said. “We invite you, as the local residents and stakeholders, to provide your insight on the specific problems and impacts you have experienced during high water events so we can look to find the best risk reduction measures and alternatives to address those concerns.”
Local stakeholders and residents in Nebraska and Missouri can expect a participatory approach, where input and feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of the study.
“We want local stakeholders and residents in both Nebraska and Missouri to know that your input is essential,” said Col. Robert J. Newbauer, USACE, Omaha District commander. “Your feedback will help shape the outcomes of this study, and we will keep you informed throughout the process.”
This partnership between agencies establishes a framework to provide valuable insights into floodplain management, navigation and habitat restoration, which are essential for the communities and ecosystems along this reach of the Lower Missouri River.
“At the Omaha District, we are fortunate to have a team of highly skilled professionals, many of whom have deep local ties and personal connections to this region,” Newbauer said. “This study is more than just a project—it’s personal for us.”
USACE and the state agencies believe this collaborative effort is not only a step toward enhancing the resilience of the Lower Missouri River, but also reinforces the importance of partnerships in addressing complex water resource challenges.
For more information on the project, to include study data and contact information, visit: https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Planning/Planning-Projects/Nemaha-and-Atchison-Counties/.