Nebraska River Valley Mapping System
Traveling through Nebraska often involves navigating through its unique river valley landscapes, which have shaped the state's ecosystems and human settlements. The Nebraska River Valley Mapping System is a comprehensive spatial database that aims to accurately represent the state's varied riverine environments. This system combines historical, archaeological, and contemporary data to provide a detailed portrayal of Nebraska's river valleys.
At the heart of the system is the confluence of the Platte, North Platte, and South Platte rivers, which has been the epicenter of human activity and agriculture for centuries. The Platte River State Historic Park in Cass County, located near the city of Omaha, is a prime example of a carefully mapped and managed river valley ecosystem. Here, visitors can explore the remnants of pioneer-era agricultural practices and early state settlements.
One of the key components of the Nebraska River Valley Mapping System is its integration with the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). This database provides detailed topographic information about the state's rivers, streams, and lakes, including the Loup River in central Nebraska. By combining the NHD data with historical records of river courses and settlement patterns, researchers can gain insights into the complex interactions between human populations and the riverine environment.
The system also incorporates archaeological data from excavations in various river valleys across the state, such as the Lower Niobrara River Valley in Boyd County. By examining the spatial distribution of prehistoric artifacts and settlements, researchers can reconstruct the cultural and environmental contexts in which Native American communities thrived along the rivers. This information can then be used to inform contemporary conservation and management strategies for Nebraska's unique riverine ecosystems.
A notable example of the system's application in practice is the effort to map and protect the Sandhills region's unique ephemeral streams. These small, seasonal waterways play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and recharge groundwater aquifers, but are vulnerable to degradation and loss due to overgrazing and other human activities. By accurately mapping the location and characteristics of these ephemeral streams, researchers and conservationists can develop targeted strategies to preserve these critical components of the Nebraska Sandhills ecosystem.
Furthermore, the mapping system has been used to analyze the impacts of riverine flooding on agricultural lands and settlements throughout the state. The summer 2011 floods along the Missouri River, which affected numerous river valleys in eastern Nebraska, were extensively studied and incorporated into the mapping system. This research has provided valuable insights into the dynamic interactions between Nebraska's rivers and agricultural landscapes, and has informed the development of more resilient and sustainable flood management strategies.
The Nebraska River Valley Mapping System serves as a valuable resource for diverse stakeholders, from researchers and conservationists to policymakers and local communities. By providing a detailed and comprehensive portrayal of the complex interactions between Nebraska's river valleys and human populations, the system supports more informed decision-making and sustainable management of these unique ecosystems.
The mapping system's data is publicly available through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. Developed in collaboration with multiple state and federal agencies, the system is a model for applied spatial research and its applications in environmental management, conservation, and regional planning.
The extensive data and research made possible by the Nebraska River Valley Mapping System demonstrate the complexity and richness of human and natural interactions in the state's river valleys, promoting greater appreciation for these unique ecosystems and more informed stewardship for future generations.
At the heart of the system is the confluence of the Platte, North Platte, and South Platte rivers, which has been the epicenter of human activity and agriculture for centuries. The Platte River State Historic Park in Cass County, located near the city of Omaha, is a prime example of a carefully mapped and managed river valley ecosystem. Here, visitors can explore the remnants of pioneer-era agricultural practices and early state settlements.
One of the key components of the Nebraska River Valley Mapping System is its integration with the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). This database provides detailed topographic information about the state's rivers, streams, and lakes, including the Loup River in central Nebraska. By combining the NHD data with historical records of river courses and settlement patterns, researchers can gain insights into the complex interactions between human populations and the riverine environment.
The system also incorporates archaeological data from excavations in various river valleys across the state, such as the Lower Niobrara River Valley in Boyd County. By examining the spatial distribution of prehistoric artifacts and settlements, researchers can reconstruct the cultural and environmental contexts in which Native American communities thrived along the rivers. This information can then be used to inform contemporary conservation and management strategies for Nebraska's unique riverine ecosystems.
A notable example of the system's application in practice is the effort to map and protect the Sandhills region's unique ephemeral streams. These small, seasonal waterways play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and recharge groundwater aquifers, but are vulnerable to degradation and loss due to overgrazing and other human activities. By accurately mapping the location and characteristics of these ephemeral streams, researchers and conservationists can develop targeted strategies to preserve these critical components of the Nebraska Sandhills ecosystem.
Furthermore, the mapping system has been used to analyze the impacts of riverine flooding on agricultural lands and settlements throughout the state. The summer 2011 floods along the Missouri River, which affected numerous river valleys in eastern Nebraska, were extensively studied and incorporated into the mapping system. This research has provided valuable insights into the dynamic interactions between Nebraska's rivers and agricultural landscapes, and has informed the development of more resilient and sustainable flood management strategies.
The Nebraska River Valley Mapping System serves as a valuable resource for diverse stakeholders, from researchers and conservationists to policymakers and local communities. By providing a detailed and comprehensive portrayal of the complex interactions between Nebraska's river valleys and human populations, the system supports more informed decision-making and sustainable management of these unique ecosystems.
The mapping system's data is publicly available through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. Developed in collaboration with multiple state and federal agencies, the system is a model for applied spatial research and its applications in environmental management, conservation, and regional planning.
The extensive data and research made possible by the Nebraska River Valley Mapping System demonstrate the complexity and richness of human and natural interactions in the state's river valleys, promoting greater appreciation for these unique ecosystems and more informed stewardship for future generations.
