About NPNRD
North Platte Natural Resources District
About us
Natural Resource Districts, completely unique to Nebraska, are local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect the State's natural resources. In 1969 Senator Maurice Kremer introduced and the Nebraska Legislature enacted Legislative Bill (LB) 1357 to combine 154 special purpose entities in the state into 24 Natural Resources Districts by July 1972. Created to solve flood control, soil erosion, irrigation runoff, and groundwater management issues, Nebraska's NRDs are involved in a wide variety of programs and projects. Districts are organized by Nebraska's major river basins to allow for the implementation of better management practices across similar topography and area resource concerns. Today there are 23 NRDs, the North Platte NRD being one of these, located in the North Platte River valley, on the western side of Nebraska, neighboring Wyoming.
The North Platte Natural Resources District is centrally located in the Panhandle of Nebraska between the Upper Niobrara White NRD and the South Platte NRD. The North Platte NRD comprises Banner, Garden, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, and southern Sioux counties in the North Platte Valley in the Nebraska Panhandle. The largest source of irrigation water is the North Platte River, a system of dams and canals in the river valley, operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation since the early 1900s, diverts water from the river and stores it to irrigate about 300,000 acres. Some groundwater also is used to irrigate.
The district consists of more than 3 million acres with a population of more than 45,000 people and 18 communities (14 incorporated and four unincorporated). Land use consists of range (63 percent), crop and pasture (33 percent), and lakes and wetlands, forest, and other uses (4 percent). Major agricultural products are cattle, corn, sugar beets, dry edible beans, alfalfa, and wheat. Most crops require irrigation because the annual average precipitation is 14 to 17 inches.
Notable Landmarks
The North Platte Valley also is noted for its historical role in the westward expansion of the United States. In the 1800s several major overland emigrant trails, including the Oregon and Mormon Trails, followed the North Platte River. Noted landmarks such as Chimney Rock, Courthouse and Jail Rocks, and Scotts Bluff National Monument trace their fame to this era.
General information
North Platte Natural Resources District
100547 Airport Road
P.O. Box 280
Scottsbluff, NE 69363
Email:
P: 308-632-2749 | F: 308-632-4346
Office Hours: Monday- Friday 7:30 AM- 4:30 PM
Protecting Lives. Protecting Property. Protecting the Future.
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More About NPNRD:
Responsibilities of the NRDs
Nebraska is divided into 23 natural resources districts (NRDs), multi-purpose, local units of government established to conserve, protect, develop and manage natural resources. Nebraska’s NRDs: Unique,… Read More
Natural Resources Links
Below is a compiled list of helpful links and resources for a variety of natural resources in Nebraska and nationwide. Natural Resources Districts: Central Platte NRD Lewis & Clark NRD Little Blue… Read More
Board of Directors
The Board comprises nine directors and meets on the second Thursday of each month at the North Platte NRD Conference Room (unless stated otherwise). Directors serve four-year terms, with half of the… Read More
Technology
Technology The North Platte NRD uses a variety of technologies to provide the staff and Directors with the best information available. Below are some of the technologies that are used. Geographic Information… Read More
Contact Form
Contact us with questions about our programs and opportunities. We would love to hear from you! Read More.JPG)