The Lower Platte Watershed covers an area of approximately 16,000 square miles in eastern Nebraska. The watershed is primarily agricultural, with row crops and livestock production dominating the landscape. The hydrology of the watershed is characterized by the Platte River and its tributaries, which provide surface water for irrigated agriculture and municipal water supplies. The snowpack in the watershed is variable, with the highest elevations receiving the most snow. Surface water quality in the Platte River is impacted by agricultural runoff and urbanization. Reservoirs, such as Lake McConaughy, provide water storage for irrigation, flood control, and recreation. Interesting climatic facts include that the Lower Platte Watershed experiences frequent severe weather events, particularly thunderstorms in the summer, and is prone to flooding. Recent trends show an increase in extreme precipitation events and higher temperatures.