On June 26, a significant rain event dropped between 5 to 7 inches of rain across central
Nebraska, triggering a dramatic and revealing transformation along the south side of the Platte River. Drone footage taken from roughly 100 meters in the air—from just west of Alda Road to Highway 281—captures a striking image series of this event, showcasing water flowing through long-dormant sloughs.
The amount of surface water illuminated what once was: an expansive network of riparian wetlands and floodplains that historically spread across the Platte River valley. These sloughs, reanimated by the surge, painted a vivid picture of the land’s natural hydrology—reminding us why ongoing restoration efforts are vital for the health of this ecosystem. Over the past several years, significant slough restoration projects have taken place across the south side of the Platte, including areas managed by the Crane Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and neighboring private lands.
Restoration efforts have focused on:
- Reconstructing and recontouring slough pathways (as seen below)
- Removing encroaching trees that hinder water flow
- Filling in old drainage ditches that diverted water from natural lowlands
- Restoring native vegetation to support wildlife and soil health
These projects were made possible through funding and collaboration from a range of partners, including the State of Nebraska, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Central Platte Natural Resources District, as well as other local and federal grants.
The recent event validated much of this work. Water coursed through reconstructed sloughs and pooled in newly restored wetland basins, underscoring the ecological importance of reconnecting the river to its floodplain.
Just one week before the precipitation fell, the Crane Trust’s land management team completed the installation of a new water control structure on a reconstructed slough at the Morrow Property (below). Designed to slow the flow of water passing through a culvert, this structure plays a dual role:
1. Extending surface water availability for wildlife by impounding water on-site
2. Increasing groundwater recharge by giving water more time to percolate into the soil
Thanks to this proactive work, the Morrow slough captured and held floodwater more
effectively (below), demonstrating how even small interventions can have significant benefits during high-water events.
The accompanying video (below)—captured by drone—takes viewers on a journey along the south side of the Platte River, beginning just west of Alda Road and continuing east to Highway 281. As the drone travels over lands stewarded by the Crane Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and private landowners, it reveals the extent to which sloughs have been reawakened and landscapes revitalized.
What might look like temporary flooding is, in fact, a glimpse of the land functioning as it once did—and, increasingly, as it’s being designed to do again.
The June rainfall served as both a challenge and a validation. It reminded us of the Platte Rivers dynamic power, but also showcased the resilience and importance of restoration efforts across its floodplain. With continued collaboration and investment, these historic sloughs and wetlands can once again serve their essential roles in the ecosystem: filtering water, recharging aquifers, providing wildlife habitat, and buffering against extreme weather events.
As the drone footage shows—sometimes it takes a flood to remind us where the water really wants to go. The Platte River Valley holds a memory of water in its undulating landscape, a memory shared with cranes when they arrive on the river every spring.
Unil next time,
Josh Wiese