OutdoorNebraska

52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 GUIDE TO NEBRASKA'S WETLANDS the Lower Platte River are mostly fresh to slightly saline, saturated wet meadows, and seasonally and semipermanently fl ooded channel remnants and oxbows. These wetlands were likely more forested historically than wetlands further upstream. Loss and Threats The wetlands and channel habitat along the Lower Platte River have suffered cumulative losses like those in the Central Platte River (Joeckle and Henebry 2008). Diversion of stream fl ows and levee construction leading to fl oodplain development have probably had the greatest impacts. Numerous wetlands also have been altered by drainage and conversion to cropland, sand and gravel mining, and housing and commercial developments. Additional diversion of water poses threats to the wetlands in the future. Levees built along the river eliminate or narrow the river's fl oodplain and disconnect wetlands from over- bank fl ows. Wetlands along the Lower Platte River will face continued threats of stream-bank stabilization, sand and gravel mining, and urban expansion and associated disturbances, especially considering their proximity to Omaha, Fremont, Lincoln and Columbus. Benefi ts The wetlands and associated habitats along the Lower Platte River provide important migration habitat for a variety of waterfowl, songbirds, wintering habitat for waterfowl, and nesting habitat for a variety of birds, including wood ducks, bald eagles, and the uncommon Louisiana waterthrush. The state endangered least tern and state and federally threatened piping plover nest on sandbars associated with the river and nearby sand and gravel mines and lakeshore housing developments. These two species have benefi ted from the actions of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership. Shorebird surveys conducted on the lower Platte from 2000-2002 have documented 21 species using the Lower Platte River. Several great blue heron rookeries also are located along the Lower Platte River. The state and federally endangered pallid sturgeon, the state endangered sturgeon chub and state threatened lake sturgeon also are found near the mouth of the Platte River. The Lower Platte River is a Biologically Unique Landscape (Schneider et al. 2011). Wetlands along the river help to attenuate fl ood fl ows and fi lter the water, removing some pollutants. Additionally, numerous towns, including Omaha and Lincoln, pump municipal water from wells that receive recharge from this stretch of river, serving 35% of the population of Nebraska. The Lower Platte River receives very intensive recreational use due to being within 50 miles of more than 60% of the state's population. Waterfowl and deer hunting, fi shing, and boating occur on this reach (Anderson et al. 1989). State parks and recreation areas along the Lower Platte receive a total of 3-4 million visits annually. Conservation Success Stories The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has a Wetlands Initiative Program to help landowners restore and enhance wetlands. Six landowners have had their wetlands improved through this program in the area just north of Yutan. In addition, the Wachiska Chapter of the Audubon Society owns Knott Prairie that is an example of a high-quality wet meadow/ tallgrass prairie area that is now almost nonexistent in this area. Contacts Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offi ce in Lincoln, (402) 471-5561, or Norfolk, (402) 370-3374. Select Public Use Areas • Louisville State Recreation Area, 1 mile west of Louisville, Cass County • Mahoney State Park, 1 mile south and 2 miles east of Ashland, Cass County • Platte River State Park, 1 mile south and 2 miles west of Louisville, Cass County • Whitetail WMA, 1 mile west and 2 miles south of Schuyler, Colfax County • Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, 1 mile west of Fremont, Dodge County • Two Rivers State Recreation Area and Wildlife Management Area, 4 miles south and 3 miles east of Waterloo, Douglas County Damsel fl ies have a larval stage that swims in the water of wetlands; the adults are winged and feed over the wetlands. DAKOTA ALTMAN, PLATTE BASIN TIMELAPSE

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