After several years of study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the City of Lincoln and LPSNRD, entered the design phase in December 2018 for the Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project (DMR). Soon after, the Platte River Basin encountered a series of unforeseen events like record flooding, a global pandemic, and economic factors that included rising material costs and interest rates. Further, these disruptions have resulted in adjustments to the project timeline and its overall feasibility.

With the updated increase in cost to be expected around $60 million, the LPSNRD hired Houston Engineering to complete a value engineering study. This study would reduce the cost to an estimated $25 million by looking at several unique design options. The project would no longer involve the USACE but still achieve the overall goal of removing an estimated 500 homes and businesses from the 100-year floodplain.

With the USACE project being indefinitely postponed, the City and LPSNRD have moved forward and agreed to split design and construction costs evenly. Currently, the LPSNRD and City of Lincoln are working with Houston Engineering on plans which could save an estimated $35 million in additional costs while continuing to enhance the safety of the public in the Deadmans Run Watershed.

Lincoln's Deadmans Run Watershed has a long history of challenges related to flooding and soil erosion. In 1967, the creek was documented through a series of photos, detailing the watershed’s condition at that time and highlighting where improvements were needed.

The local project is being completed in two phases. Phase 1 began in fall 2025 with tree removal for a detention basin near 56th and Holdrege Streets. Construction of the basin began in June 2026 and is currently underway. Planned Phase 2 improvements include tree removal for a second detention basin west of 48th Street, channel bench widening between 48th Street and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, and wetland development west of 48th Street. The wetlands could also support future educational and research opportunities in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL).

During heavy rain, the detention basin will temporarily hold excess stormwater, slowing the flow of water and reducing potential flooding downstream. The project will not physically remove the estimated 480 homes and businesses. Instead, it is designed to remove these properties from the mapped 100-year floodplain, reducing their risk of flooding during a storm of that magnitude.

Summer/Fall 2026

Phase 1 tree removal has been completed, marking an important step forward in the DMR project. Crews are now beginning the next phase of work: removing soil to prepare the site for construction of a new detention basin. A diversion structure will be built between the DMR Creek Channel and the detention basin. During heavy rain, it will direct excess water from the channel into the detention basin for temporary storage. This basin will help manage stormwater runoff and support long-term drainage improvements for the area. Please view the drone footage to see the progress being made and get a closer look at the work currently underway.