60-year-old flood control dams save Bayard during severe June storm

LINCOLN—A severe rainstorm that dumped up to 8 inches of rain in small area of western Nebraska in early June put decades-old flood control infrastructure to the test.The watershed dams north of Bayard delivered, preventing nearly $400,000 in flood damage and protecting the community from significant downstream flooding.

“This storm demonstrated exactly why watershed infrastructure remains so important to communities across western Nebraska,” said Scott Schaneman, North Platte Natural Resources District (NRD) general manager.

“While residents may not see these structures every day, these dams quietly protect homes, infrastructure and public safety during intense rainfall events.”