Little Blue River Basin, Nebraska, Water and Related Land Resources

Excerpts from the report: The Little Blue River is a tributary of the Big Blue River. It originates in the loess plains of south central Nebraska and flows in a south easterly direction to its junction with the Big Blue River near Waterville, Kansas. The area of the Little Blue River Basin in Nebraska totals just under 2,691 square miles, or 1,722,200 acres. Principal tributaries include Big Sandy Creek, having a drainage area of 638 square miles; Rose Creek, 203 square miles; Spring Creek, 180 square miles; and Pawnee Creek, 126 square miles. The total length of the Little Blue River in Nebraska is approximately 200 miles. The Little Blue River drains nearly all of Thayer County and parts of 10 other counties in Nebraska. The report is based upon a study of upstream watershed needs and opportunities for flood prevention; agricultural, municipal, and industrial water supply; fish and wildlife habitat; recreation facilities; and water quality control. The main objectives of the USDA study are to: (1) inventory the natural resources of the basin; (2) analyze the basin's economy relative to present conditions, historic trends, and projections; (3) determine the cause, extent, and frequency of the basin's resource problems; (4) determine the present and future need for development based on resource problems and projected economic activity; (5) describe the pertinent existing water and related land resource projects and programs; (6) describe the physical potential or capability of the basin to supply water and related land resources for development to meet identifiable needs; and (7) describe the opportunities for development through USDA projects and programs and determine their impacts upon the basin.