The Upper Prairie Silver Moores Project (UPSM) was a multi-year flood risk reduction project designed to reduce flooding risk for Northwestern Grand Island. The project was made possible by collaboration between the Central Platte Natural Resources District, City of Grand Island, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Merrick County, and Hall County.
Completed in 2019, the $24.5 million Upper Prairie Silver Moores Project greatly reduced the risk of flooding to northwest Grand Island and its surrounding area.
The Upper Prairie Silver Moores project prevented $47 million in damages during the March 2019 storm event.
Approximate number of properties removed from the 100-year floodplain as shown on the effective FIRM
Assuming a 50-yr project life, the benefit-to-cost ratio is 13:1. The project also bolsters a rate of return of nearly 33%.
Shown above is estimated 100-year flood impacts before and after the flood risk reduction project.
Shown above is a comparison map of effective and revised flood zones in Grand Island and Hall County.
The Upper Prairie Silver Moores Project was a collaborative effort between the Central Platte NRD, City of Grand Island, Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, and Hall County Nebraska.
The Upper Prairie Silver Moores Flood Risk Reduction project won a 2020 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Engineering Excellence award in Water Resources.
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