Lower Elkhorn NRD board works towards protecting communities after flood events

NORFOLK — As communities continue to recover from the recent flood events, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is offering a helping hand.  The LENRD’s responsibilities include flood prevention and control as well as prevention of damages from flood water and sediment.

Several communities have come forward for assistance in studying possible solutions to protect their cities and towns from flooding in the future.

The City of Pierce was protected from the flood during the storm due to the Willow Creek dam that held back almost 18,000 acre-feet of water, and by a levee that surrounds a portion of the community.  However, the water that did enter Pierce was from drainage issues within and on the west side of the city.  The city is requesting assistance to complete a drainage study of the area.  The LENRD board of directors directed staff to obtain an estimate for a drainage study and work with the City of Pierce in developing an inter-local agreement to provide 50% of the study cost. The City of Battle Creek has had a history of flood-related problems.  City officials are asking if the potential flood control projects that were determined feasible in 2014 could be revisited.  The LENRD board of directors have instructed staff to work with the City of Battle Creek in developing a proposal for the board to consider, which would identify the project the city would like to pursue as well as updated construction costs for the potential projects.

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