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Papio NRD Crews Busy Assessing Flood Damage

Papio NRD crews are busy assessing the District’s levees, structures, and parks and trails for damage after Tuesday’s flooding in the Omaha metro.

While the water along the Papio Creek near 72nd & Q Street has receded, the amount of tree debris is surreal, as is the case in many other locations.

Papio NRD General Manger John Winkler says once the assessment is complete, repairs and storm cleanup will take place as quickly as possible in coordination with municipalities and various agencies.

While Tuesday’s flooding may have been a shock, Winkler says it wasn’t to the Papio NRD team. He says the Papio NRD’s system of flood mitigation reservoirs and levees built over the last 50 years were built for events like Tuesday’s and the infrastructure worked exactly as designed. When Mother Nature is in charge, Winkler says, nothing we build can be 100%.

Please know we understand this is a very trying and unsettling time for many. While the assessment and cleanup from the flood is a monumental effort, all parties involved are more than committed to getting our communities back in shape as expeditiously and safely as possible.

Everyone’s patience is very much appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bellevue Loop Trail to Remain Closed Through October

Public is reminded not to use the trail until all remaining work is complete

 

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD) and the City of Bellevue Public Works Department would like to remind all area residents that the Bellevue Loop Trail will remain closed until all remaining trail work and levee improvements on and around the trail are completed.

The levee and trail work are expected to be completed by the end of October. For public safety, residents are not to access the trail or levee until the Papio NRD has provided notice that it is open for public use.

Additionally, barricades are in place indicating the trail is closed. Residents are not to move or tamper with any barricades or other warning signs. The City of Bellevue Police Department will continue to monitor access points to the trail/levee construction site and may issue citations to trespassers. All of these measures are in place for the safety of the public.

We understand the public’s eagerness to use the trail and are working as quickly as possible to complete the levee system that will better protect the City of Bellevue and Offutt Air Force Base from another major flooding event. We thank the public for its cooperation and patience during the construction of this project.

 

 

 

Current Flooding Normal for This Time of Year

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District wants to reassure the public that minor, lowland flooding that is currently occurring along the Platte River is normal for this time of year. The majority of area rivers are open and free of ice. The current ice jams are also normal and do not, at this point in time, indicate any serious threat like last year.

Of course, the Papio NRD is constantly monitoring river conditions and in continual communication with partners such as the National Weather Service and local emergency managers for any significant changes. We completely understand the public’s concern when it comes to flooding of any amount and want to put current conditions into perspective.

 

 

River Access Sites Closed Indefinitely Due to Flooding

 

Elkhorn Crossing

 

Sorry folks, we know this is not the news you want to hear.

All of the Papio NRD river access sites will be closed indefinitely due to the recent flooding. These include:

          • Platte River Landing
      • Elkhorn Crossing
      • West Maple Road
      • Graske Crossing

The campground at Elkhorn Crossing Rec. Area will also be closed for the season. Our crews are working as quickly as possible to get the access sites back in shape.

We truly appreciate your understanding.

 

Lied Bridge Closed to All Users

Lied Bridge

Due to the extraordinary high water during the flood in March, the protective railing on the Lied Bridge over the Platte River has been damaged and the bridge is closed to all users. The Papio-Missouri River NRD is working with the Lower Platte South NRD, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to determine the extent of the damage, and to have repair design and construction moving forward as soon as possible.

Sections of the MoPac Trail under Hwy 50, and from the trailhead parking lot at the west end of Hwy 31 down to the Lied Bridge were also damaged. Signs will be placed to alert users of trail closure. Do not use, or access any section of trail that seems damaged, as the conditions are currently unknown.

Contact the Papio NRD office at (402) 444-6222 if you have any questions about the status of the MoPac Trail or Lied Bridge.

 

 

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