UPDATE: Beutler signs emergency order to protect city wellfields near Ashland

UPDATE:

Rising water levels in the Platte River may be threatening Lincoln’s water wells near Ashland.

On Friday, Mayor Chris Beutler signed an emergency order to safeguard them.

City officials said the Platte River’s water levels rose to an unexpected height overnight.

“Upon inspection the following morning, we observed erosion starting on the north part of the island where three of our horizontal wells are located,” Transportation and Utilities Assistant Director Donna Garden said.

They said one of the wells lost power and that they isolated that one from the system.  But they want to fortify and protect the wells to make sure they don’t get damaged.

Officials said they’re coordinating with the Nebraska National Guard to use a helicopter to place sandbags along the banks where needed.

“Over the next few days we will be 400 large sandbags to fortify and prevent further erosion of the island,” Garden said.

The Lincoln Fire and Rescue water rescue team is also planning to provide a boat and four personnel to support monitoring and any repair operations.

But for now, the city said its water supply is alright.

“All of Lincoln’s local reservoirs are full,” Public Works and Utilities Director Miki Esposito said.  “We have enough water supply within city limits and we have 10 million gallons of reserve in Ashland.”

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There are concerns tonight about Lincoln’s water wells near Ashland.

The Mayor Beutler announced an emergency order after power to one of the wells was shut down from the flood.

The city said this is a preventative measure and stresses Lincoln’s water supply is okay for now.

“All of Lincoln’s local reservoirs are full,” Public Works and Utilities Director Miki Esposito said.  “We have enough water supply within city limits and we have 10 million gallons of reserve in Ashland.”

They said the Platte River’s water levels rose to an unexpected height overnight and that caused erosion around some of the city’s water wells.

The mayor’s order is to work on protecting those wells.

The city said they are coordinating with the Nebraska National Guard to use a helicopter to place sandbags along the Platte’s banks where needed.

“Over the next few days we will be placing 400 large sandbags to fortify and prevent further erosion of the island,” Transportation and Utilities Assistant Director Donna Garden said.

The Lincoln Fire and Rescue Water Rescue team is planning to provide a boat and four personnel to support monitoring and any repair operations.

The city said as precaution, they isolated one of wells from our system.

You can read the city press release here:

Mayor Chris Beutler on Friday signed an emergency order enabling the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department (LTU) to escalate staffing and resources to further safeguard the City’s wellfields near Ashland. 

Major flooding in the area is causing land erosion that, if left unaddressed, could compromise valuable city infrastructure.

“Water supply for the City of Lincoln is unaffected at this time,” Beutler said. “However, we have to give our teams on the ground an expanded ability to protect our assets along the Platte River.”

Historic flooding continued across much of eastern Nebraska, resulting from heavy rain, snowmelt and ice jam break-ups. 

The Platte River is among 14 waterways expected to see the most significant impact through the weekend.

“With the Emergency Order, LTU will be joined by Nebraska Emergency Management in efforts to fortify the banks of the Platte River around wells and pipelines,” Assistant Director of Utilities Donna Garden said.  “This morning, the transformer supplying electricity to one of our wells was flooded, lost power and must be replaced.”

The Lincoln Fire and Rescue Water Rescue Team is planning to provide a boat and four personnel to support monitoring and any repair operations. 

Preparations are also being made for the Nebraska National Guard to use a helicopter to place sandbags along the bank where needed.

“Our Lincoln Water System team has been diligently monitoring the path of flooding 24/7 and responding proactively to ensure water supply and quality is maintained,” said Miki Esposito, LTU Director.  “This is one more example of their quick and proactive action, and we appreciate the Mayor’s and State of Nebraska’s support.”