Elkhorn River Ice Jam Creates Flooding In Antelope County

This bridge is located in the Elkhorn River south of the Royal Road. The jam is located east of this abandoned bridge about a quarter mile.

An ice jam on the Elkhorn River in Antelope County is creating flooding in low lying areas.

Low land along 519 Road just south of the Royal Road is under water Saturday night, and the bridge cross the Elkhorn River is closed in preparation for more flooding. 

"About a quarter mile down the river is an ice jam," said Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore while standing on the bridge on 519 Road. "It is causing a backup. (Road) 519 is actually under water just south of us right now. We've issued a warning the low lying areas behind this ice jam, but the potential between Clearwater and Neligh, if the jam breaks loose and hooks up in another area, this whole area will become a path for flooding."

Moore said the flooding could become dangerous if it breaks loose and continues to build. He said the Neligh and Clearwater fire departments and rescue squads have been notified. He said those with cattle, hay or equipment in the low areas are asked to move anything that is in the path between Clearwater and Neligh.

Commissioner Charlie Henery said he notified Region 11 Emergency Management Director Trent Howard, who was on scene of the rive early Saturday night. Henery said both NEMA and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has also been notified of the situation.

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"(U.S. Army Corp of Engineers) will be either tonight or in the morning to look at this to see what the situation is we're in and how bad this is going to get," Henery said.

Howard said the National Weather Service has also been contacted and he plan to update NEMA throughout Saturday night.

County road boss Casey Dittrich said there will be local closings, including Road 519 south of the Royal Road, which is now closed until further notice.

"From the outlook of the forecast, it doesn't look like we'll have too many changes until maybe Wednesday, so we'll be out here constantly monitoring it," he said.

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