Skip to main contentSkip to main content

You are the owner of this article.

Edit Article Add New Article Close

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close

JournalStar.com

66°

Read Today's E-edition

Site Search

© 2026 Lee Enterprises

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Site Search

JournalStar.com

News+

Where your story lives

Site Search

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Subscribe

Read Today's E-edition

JournalStar.com

News+

Where your story lives

Subscribe

Share This

customer support chat

'Change we've never seen before' — Long-term time-lapse project captures river's quick rise

customer support chat Live chat

0 Comments

Share this

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Topical Featured

'Change we've never seen before' — Long-term time-lapse project captures river's quick rise

1 of 12

Camp Ashland/Thursday, March 14

This is one of the last images a time-lapse camera caught of the flooding Platte River before it was swept away from its stand at Camp Ashland on March 14, 2019.

Camp Ashland/Wednesday, March 13

Wednesday, March 13: The day before it filled with ice, this backwater chute at Camp Ashland was calm.

Larry Vrtiska (left) Mike Farrell and Jeff Dale stand where the river used to flow, discussing locations for mounting new cameras as part of the Platte Basin Timelapse project .

The ice rose so high, and was jammed so tightly, wildlife could walk on water and inspect a tree-mounted game camera at Camp Ashland. Behind and just to the left of the deer is the time-lapse camera, mounted on its 17-foot tripod. It was soon washed away.

Members of Platte Basin Timelapse project searched for a camera that was washed away in March and scouted new camera locations at Camp Ashland.

Standing where the river used to flow, members of Platte Basin Timelapse project and Nebraska Army National Guard employees scout locations to mount new cameras at Camp Ashland.

The remains of a tree sticks through a small channel of water that used to be a backwater chute of the Platte River at Camp Ashland.

A pair of geese fly above the Platte River at Camp Ashland.

Pieces of a flood-damaged home remained on the bank of the Platte River earlier this month near Camp Ashland.

Larry Vrtiska walks through a sandbar that was deposited by the March flooding, separating the Platte River from the restored backwater chutes of Camp Ashland.

The Platte River used to flow here, but March flooding buried that part of the channel with a sandbar.

Almost exactly three years before the flood, the backwater chute was dry.

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Peter Salter

ASHLAND — They designed these camera systems to survive on their own for years, because the creators of the Platte Basin Timelapse project decided to take a long view.

kAm%96J’5 DE2<65 @FE e_ DA@ED :? E96 C:G6C’D h_[___\DBF2C6\>:=6 H2E6CD965 — 7C@> :ED @C:8:?D :? E96 C@4<J C62496D @7 r@=@C25@ 2?5 (J@>:?8 E@ :ED >@FE9 2E E96 |:DD@FC: #:G6C — 2?5[ :? a_``[ E96J DE2CE65 E2<:?8 A:4EFC6D]k^Am

kAm%9:D H@F=5?’E 36 2 D9@CE\E6C> E:>6\=2AD6 AC@;64E[ 42AEFC:?8 4C2?:?8 DF?7=@H6CD[ 3:==@H:?8 4=@F5D @C E96 52C<6?:?8 @7 2 52J]k^Am

kAmx?DE625[ |:4926= u@CD36C8 2?5 |:<6 u2CC6== H2?E65 E@ 56A:4E 2?5 5@4F>6?E E96 C:G6C’D =@?8\E6C> C9JE9>D[ :ED ?2EFC2= 2?5 >2?>256 :?7=F6?46D[ :ED 492?86 @G6C E:>6]k^Am

People are also reading…

kAm%96J :?DE2==65 42>6C2D 2=@?8 E96 C:G6C :ED6=7 2?5 @? :ED 56A6?56?ED — 2E@A 2 46?E6C\A:G@E DJDE6> ?62C !9:==:ADj ?6IE E@ 2 DF3FC32? s6?G6C 8@=7 4@FCD6j 2=@?8 z:?8D=6J s2> 2E {2<6 |4r@?2F89J]k^Am

kAm“%9:D H2E6CD965 :D 2 72D4:?2E:?8 DE286j :E’D 2 EC6>6?5@FD @FE5@@C =23@C2E@CJ[” u@CD36C8 D2:5] “(6’C6 ECJ:?8 E@ E6== DE@C:6D 2?5 H6’C6 ECJ:?8 E@ 4C62E6 2 9:DE@C:42= 2C49:G6] p?5 H6’C6 9@A:?8 E96D6 2C6?’E ;FDE 2 3F?49 @7 AC6EEJ A:4EFC6D[ 3FE E96J’C6 G:DF2= 52E2]”k^Am

kAm$@>6E9:?8 =:<6 E92E E2<6D J62CD @7 9@FC=J A9@E@8C2A9D] s64256D] p?5 DEFC5J 6BF:A>6?E]k^Am

kAm$@ :? 9:D H@C<D9@A ;FDE 36J@?5 E96 D@FE962DE 6586 @7 {:?4@=?[ 42>6C2 3F:=56C y677 s2=6 DE2CED 3J C6EC@7:EE:?8 92C5\A=2DE:4 42D6D 3F:=E 3J 2 r2=:7@C?:2 4@>A2?J E@ 9@FD6 6=64EC@?:4 6BF:A>6?E]k^Am

kAm%96J’C6 &'\DE23:=:K65 E@ H:E9DE2?5 E96 DF?[ D62=65 3J 82D<6ED E@ <66A E96> H2E6CAC@@7]k^Am

kAmw6 :?DE2==D 2 }:<@? 5:8:E2= 42>6C2 2?5 4@??64ED 2 D@=2C A2?6= E@ <66A :ED 32EE6C:6D ;F:465] x7 E96 42>6C2 :D 962565 E@ 2? 2C62 H:E9 46== D6CG:46[ 96 255D 2 '6C:K@? >@56> D@ E96 42>6C2 42? EC2?D>:E A9@E@D E@ {:?4@=?[ 2?5 D@ :ED >2DE6CD 42? >2<6 25;FDE>6?ED[ DA665:?8 FA E96 :?E6CG2= @7 E96 E:>6\=2AD6 :>286D :7 2 DE@C> :D C@==:?8 :?[ 7@C 6I2>A=6[ @C 492?8:?8 E96 u\DE@A]k^Am

kAm%96? 96 =@4<D E96 3@I H:E9 2 A25=@4< 2?5 >@F?ED :E @? 2 EC:A@5 >256 H:E9 EC62E65[ `a\7@@E[ c\:?49\3J\e\:?49 =68D[ DF?< :? 4@?4C6E6 7@@E:?8D]k^Am

kAm%96 Sb[d__ 2DD6>3=:6D 2C6 3F:=E E@ H:E9DE2?5 >@DE E9C62ED[ E9@F89 E96J’C6 ?@E 3F==6E\AC@@7] $@ 72C[ E96J 92G6?’E ?66565 E@ 36]k^Am

kAm“%92E H2D >J 3:886DE H@CCJ H96? E96J DE2CE65 AFEE:?8 E96D6 E9:?8D @FE[” s2=6 D2:5] “x E9@F89E[ ‘%9:D :D 2 E2C86E]’ qFE H6’G6 925 ?@?6 9:E 3J 2 3F==6E]”k^Am

kAm%96J 5:5 =@D6 @?6 H96? D@>6@?6 42CC:65 :E 2H2J 7C@> :ED A6C49 ?62C ~56DD2[ H6DE @7 z62C?6J] %96J =@DE 2 4@FA=6 >@C6 E@ 6C@D:@? 27E6C E96 r6?EC2= !=2EE6 #:G6C D9:7E65 :ED 492??6=[ =62?:?8 566A6C :?E@ :ED 32?<D] ~?6 DF776C65 2 92>>6C 2EE24< :? r@=@C25@]k^Am

kAmqFE 7@C E96 A2DE 6:89E J62CD[ E96 AC@;64E’D 42>6C2D 92G6 =2C86=J 366? 56A6?523=6[ =@J2=[ E2<:?8 >@C6 E92? a >:==:@? A9@E@D E@ E6== E96 DE@CJ @7 H96C6 @FC H2E6C 4@>6D 7C@>]k^Am

kAmp?5 |2C:29 {F?58C6?[ AC@5F46C 2?5 AC@;64E >2?286C @7 !=2EE6 q2D:? %:>6=2AD6[ 92D G:6H65 23@FE 92=7 @7 E96>] p >:==:@? A:4EFC6D[ >2J36]k^Am

kAm“xE H2D >J ;@3[ 7@C 2 G6CJ =@?8 E:>6[ E@ =@@< 2E E9@D6 :>286D[” D96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm$96 D2H =:89E?:?8 2?5 H:=5=:76] $2?59:== 4C2?6D 2?5 DA:56CD E92E =:<6 E@ H62G6 E96:C H63D :? 7C@?E @7 E96 =6?D6D] %96 5:CE @7 5C@F89ED 2?5 E96 7@C46 @7 7=@@5D] u@FCE9 @7 yF=J 46=63C2E:@?D]k^Am

kAm$96 3642>6 FD65 E@ H2E49:?8 E96 C:G6C’D 8C25F2= 492?86[ E96 C:D6 2?5 72== @7 E96 H2E6C E9C@F89 E96 D62D@?D[ E96 D=@H C6465:?8 @7 D?@H]k^Am

kAmqFE @? |2C49 `c[ E96 {@H6C !=2EE6 H2D 2?JE9:?8 3FE 8C25F2=] p?5 7@FC @7 E96:C 42>6C2D <6AE H@C<:?8 F?E:= E96J 4@F=5?’E[ E96:C D:8?2=D 23CFAE=J 8@:?8 52C<]k^Am

kAm“(6’G6 42AEFC65 2 =@E @7 DEF77 @G6C E96 J62CD[” D96 D2:5] “qFE ?@E9:?8 =:<6 E9:D]”k^Am

Camp Ashland Chute Flood 2019 from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

kA DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQmkDEC@?8mY Y Yk^DEC@?8mk^Am

kAm|:5H2J 36EH66? {:?4@=? 2?5 ~>292[ r2>A pD9=2?5 4@G6CD 3@E9 D:56D @7 E96 !=2EE6 ?@CE9 @7 &]$] e]k^Am

kAm%96 56G6=@A65 H6DE D:56 :D 9@>6 E@ E96 }63C2D<2 pC>J }2E:@?2= vF2C5’D 42>A @77:46D 2?5 4=2DDC@@>D 2?5 32CC24<D]k^Am

kAm%96 62DE D:56 :D D66>:?8=J F?E2>65[ 2 E2?8=6 @7 H@@5D 2?5 H665D 2?5 324<H2E6C 49FE6D D@=5:6CD FD6 E@ AC24E:46 ?2G:82E:@? D<:==D]k^Am

kAmqFE E96 2C62 :D >@?:E@C65 2?5[ E@ D@>6 568C66[ >2?:4FC65] vF2C5 6>A=@J66D E9:? E96 EC66D 2?5 DEF5J E96 86@8C2A9:42= 2?5 3:@=@8:42= 492?86D 2=@?8 2 A2:C @7 324<H2E6C 49FE6D — 89@DED @7 62C=:6C C:G6C 492??6=D — E92E H6C6 C646?E=J 4=62C65 2?5 5C65865]k^Am

kAm“%96J 925 D:=E65 :? 2?5 3642>6 >@C6 @7 2 H@@565 2C62 E92E 8@E @G6CE2<6? 3J 4@EE@?H@@5D[ H:E9 ?@ H2E6C 4@??64E:@? E@ E96 C:G6C[” D2:5 {2CCJ 'CE:D<2[ E96 pC>J vF2C5’D 6?G:C@?>6?E2= AC@8C2> >2?286C]k^Am

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts

kAm}@H E92E E96 49FE6D H6C6 C64@??64E65 E@ E96 !=2EE6[ E96 &]$] v6@=@8:42= $FCG6J H2D DEF5J:?8 H2E6C BF2=:EJ[ &}{ DEF56?ED H6C6 DEF5J:?8 E96 7:D9 A@AF=2E:@? — 2?5 E9C66 !=2EE6 q2D:? %:>6=2AD6 42>6C2D H6C6 AFEE:?8 :E 2== :? 4@?E6IE]k^Am

kAm(96? E96 324<H2E6C C@D6 2?5 C2? 9:89 — 7F6=65 3J DE@C> CF?@77 @C DAC:?8 7=@HD — 7:D9 5:G6CD:EJ DF776C65] %96J 7@F?5 >@DE=J C@F89 7:D9[ 4@>>@? 2?5 pD:2? 42CA]k^Am

kAm(96? E96 =6G6= =@H6C65[ E96J’5 7:?5 >@C6 ?2E:G6 DA64:6D[ D9@G6=?@D6 DEFC86@? 2?5 492??6= 42ED 2?5 >:??@HD 2?5 49F3D]k^Am

kAm%96 E:>6\=2AD6 42>6C2D 82G6 E96> C62=\E:>6 :>286D E@ >2E49 E96 52E2 E96J H6C6 82E96C:?8[ 'CE:D<2 D2:5]k^Am

kAm“w2G:?8 E96 42>6C2D E96C6 C62==J A2:?E65 E96 A:4EFC6 @7 H92E 92AA6?65 E96C6[ 2?5 H6 H6C6 23=6 E@ 4@==64E 5:776C6?E 52E2 E@ 5@4F>6?E E96 67764E]”k^Am

kAmp r2>A pD9=2?5 42>6C2 A2:?E65 @?6 A:4EFC6 |2C49 `b[ @7 2 324<H2E6C 49FE6 7:==:?8[ 3FE ?@E J6E 7=@@5:?8[ H:E9 !=2EE6 #:G6C @G6C7=@H] %96 42>6C2 C6>2:?65 H6== 23@G6 E96 H2E6C @? :ED 6IEC2\E2== `f\7@@E =68D]k^Am

kAmxE A2:?E65 2 72C 5:776C6?E A:4EFC6 E96 ?6IE 52J[ @7 2 D966E @7 4@>AC6DD65 :46 DEC6E49:?8 7C@> EC66=:?6 E@ EC66=:?6 2?5 C:D:?8 D@ 9:89 :E ?62C=J =@@<65 E96 42>6C2 :? E96 6J6]k^Am

kAmp?5 E96? E96 D:8?2= H6?E 5625]k^Am

Camp Ashland East Slough from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

kAm#6>6>36Ci %96 AC@;64E’D 7@F?56CD[ u2CC6== 2?5 u@CD36C8[ 925 D6E @FE E@ 3F:=5 2 =@?8\E6C> C64@C5[ 5@4F>6?E:?8 492?86 @G6C J62CD[ ?@E 52JD]k^Am

kAm“*@F 42? D9@H D@>6E9:?8 :? 2 H2J J@F H@F=5 ?@E @E96CH:D6 36 23=6 E@ A6C46:G6 H:E9 E96 ?2<65 6J6[” u@CD36C8 D2:5] “%92E C62==J 2AA62=65 E@ >6[ E@ 36 23=6 E@ D9@H 492?86 @G6C E:>6 @? 2 =2?5D42A6]”k^Am

kAmqFE r2>A pD9=2?5’D =2?5D42A6 925 492?865 @G6C?:89E]k^Am

kAm“xE ;FDE 92AA6?65 E92E 72DE[” D2:5 {F?58C6?[ E96 AC@;64E’D AC@5F46C] “%92E H2D 492?86 H6’G6 ?6G6C D66? 367@C6]”k^Am

kAmp?5 :E H2D 2== 2 =:EE=6 D25[ D96 D2:5[ H2E49:?8 E96 7:?2= >@>6?ED @7 E96 42>6C2D 367@C6 E96 C:G6C H2D965 E96> 2H2J]k^Am

Camp Ashland Inlet from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

kA DEJ=6lQE6IE\2=:8?i 46?E6CjQmkDEC@?8mY Y Yk^DEC@?8mk^Am

kAm%96 >:5\|2C49 7=@@5:?8 E@@< EH@ @7 E96 E9C66 !=2EE6 q2D:? %:>6=2AD6 42>6C2D 7C@> r2>A pD9=2?5[ D6G6C:?8 E96 c\3J\e A@DED 2?5 42CCJ:?8 E96 }:<@?D 5@H?DEC62>]k^Am

kAmxE 32EE6C65 2?5 5:D23=65 2 42>6C2 >@F?E65 @? E96 {:65 qC:586 ?62C $@FE9 q6?5] p?5 :E DH6AE 2H2J E96 62DE6C?>@DE 42>6C2 7C@> $49:==:?8 (:=5=:76 |2?286>6?E pC62[ H96C6 E96 !=2EE6 6?5D :ED h__\>:=6 CF? 2E E96 |:DD@FC:]k^Am

kAm“(6’== H2?E E@ AFE E92E 42>6C2 324< :? A=246 E96C6[ 3642FD6 :E’D E96 6?5 @7 E96 DE@CJ[” u@CD36C8 D2:5] “~C :E’D E96 368:??:?8 @7 E96 ?6IE]”k^Am

MissourConfluence_2019Flooding from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

kAmr2>A pD9=2?5 H2?ED :ED 42>6C2D 324<[ E@@] t2C=:6C E9:D >@?E9[ 'CE:D<2 2?5 !2E {2?E:D[ E96 8F2C5’D ?2EFC2= C6D@FC46D >2?286C[ 82G6 E96 !=2EE6 q2D:? %:>6=2AD6 DE277 2 E@FC @7 2? 2=E6C65 =2?5D42A6]k^Am

kAm%96J ?66565 p%'D E@ 86E 4=@D6] u2CC6== 2?5 u@CD36C8 2?5 s2=6[ H9@ 3F:=E E96 42>6C2 DJDE6>D[ >256 2 4FCD@CJ D62C49 7@C E96:C >:DD:?8 6BF:A>6?E[ 3FE 2== E96J 7@F?5 H6C6 E96 4@?4C6E6 7@@E:?8D]k^Am

kAmpC@F?5 E96>[ E96 H@@5D 925 366? =:EE6C65 H:E9 7=@@5 C6>?2?ED — 2 3@2E EC2:=6C[ E:C6D[ A=2DE:4 A=2J8C@F?5 6BF:A>6?E[ 82D 42?D[ 4@@=6CD[ D9@6D[ 2? 2=F>:?F> 42?@6]k^Am

kAmp?5 E96 324<H2E6C 49FE6D E92E 925 7:==65 H:E9 !=2EE6 H2E6C E@ 7665 E96 7:D9 2?5 H:=5=:76 H6C6 ?@H D6A2C2E65 7C@> E96 C:G6C 3J 2 D2?532C D@ 9:89 2?5 D@ H:56 :E H@F=5 C6BF:C6 2 >2DD:G6 >2?\>256 677@CE[ @C 2?@E96C C64@C5\D6EE:?8 7=@@5[ E@ 6G6C 4@??64E E96> 282:?]k^Am

kAm%92E 5:5?’E 56E6C 'CE:D<2] w6’D A2J:?8 E96 AC@;64E E@ C6A=246 E96 >:DD:?8 42>6C2D] p?5 96’D C6BF6DE:?8 EH@ 255:E:@?2= 42>6C2D E@ 49C@?:4=6 @E96C A2CED @7 E96 AC@A6CEJ]k^Am

kAm%96 !=2EE6 :D E6==:?8 2 5J?2>:4 E2=6[ 492?8:?8 3FE ?6G6C\6?5:?8[ 2?5 96 H2?ED E96 42>6C2D E@ <66A C64@C5:?8 :E]k^Am

kAm%9:D D2?532C ?@H 49@<:?8 E96 324<H2E6C 49FE6D H:== <66A E96 7:D9 2H2J] qFE :E 4@F=5 2=D@ 5C2H >@C6 36249\?6DE:?8 3:C5D]k^Am

kAm%:>6\=2AD6 H:== E6==]k^Am

kAm“r92?86 :D 8@@5 2?5 325[” 'CE:D<2 D2:5] “(6 ;FDE H2?E E@ 4@?E:?F6 E96 DE@CJ]”k^Am

Photos: Camp Ashland

Camp Ashland/Wednesday, March 13

Wednesday, March 13: The day before it filled with ice, this backwater chute at Camp Ashland was calm.

Platte Basin Timelapse, Courtesy photo

2019 Mahoney flooding

2019MahoneyFlooding_WithDate from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

Camp Ashland

Almost exactly three years before the flood, the backwater chute was dry.

Platte Basin Timelapse, Courtesy photo

Camp Ashland/Thursday, March 14

This is one of the last images a time-lapse camera caught of the flooding Platte River before it was swept away from its stand at Camp Ashland on March 14, 2019.

Platte Basin Timelapse, Courtesy photo

Camp Ashland

The ice rose so high, and was jammed so tightly, wildlife could walk on water and inspect a tree-mounted game camera at Camp Ashland. Behind and just to the left of the deer is the time-lapse camera, mounted on its 17-foot tripod. It was soon washed away.

Platte Basin Timelapse, Courtesy photo

Upper Elkhorn

Upper Elkhorn from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

Platte timelapse, 5.2

The remains of a tree sticks through a small channel of water that used to be a backwater chute of the Platte River at Camp Ashland.

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Platte timelapse, 5.2

A pair of geese fly above the Platte River at Camp Ashland.

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Platte timelapse, 5.2

Pieces of a flood-damaged home remained on the bank of the Platte River earlier this month near Camp Ashland.

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Platte timelapse, 5.2

Larry Vrtiska walks through a sandbar that was deposited by the March flooding, separating the Platte River from the restored backwater chutes of Camp Ashland.

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Platte timelapse, 5.2

The Platte River used to flow here, but March flooding buried that part of the channel with a sandbar.

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Platte timelapse, 5.2

Standing where the river used to flow, members of Platte Basin Timelapse project and Nebraska Army National Guard employees scout locations to mount new cameras at Camp Ashland.

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Platte timelapse, 5.2

Larry Vrtiska (left) Mike Farrell and Jeff Dale stand where the river used to flow, discussing locations for mounting new cameras as part of the Platte Basin Timelapse project .

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Platte timelapse, 5.2

Members of Platte Basin Timelapse project searched for a camera that was washed away in March and scouted new camera locations at Camp Ashland.

KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star

Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or psalter@journalstar.com.

On Twitter @LJSPeterSalter.

0 Comments

2019MahoneyFlooding_WithDate from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

Upper Elkhorn from Platte Basin Timelapse on Vimeo.

Love

1

Funny

0

Wow

2

Sad

0

Angry

0

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Sign up!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

PeterSalter

Peter Salter

General assignment reporter

Follow Peter Salter

Close

Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Save

Manage followed notifications

Close

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature

Log In

Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Related to this story

2019 Mahoney flooding

The Platte Basin Timelapse project captured the flooding along the Platte River near Mahoney State Park.

Upper Elkhorn

The Platte Basin Timelapse project captured the flooding on the Upper Elkhorn River.

Nebraska National Guard pursues $62M plan to rebuild camp

ASHLAND — The Nebraska National Guard plans to rebuild its Camp Ashland training site by fortifying its buildings and raising them on stilts a…

1. 11-foot wall of water: One dam breaks, three counties suffer

From their offices in Lincoln early Thursday, hydrologists with the U.S. Geological Survey were monitoring the final few moments of a stream g…

15. 'A gift sent from the heavens' — Magic beer fridge found in flooded field

By sunset Sunday, Kyle Simpson was wrung out from a full day of cleaning mud and muck from his property on the Platte River.

'Swept off the map' — Family loses brother, business when Niobrara dam failed

It was still dark early last Thursday when Scott Angel got the word — the Spencer Dam had been compromised by the ice-packed Niobrara River.

9. 'Just a terrible mess' — Ranchers, farmers left with dead animals, flooded fields, work to be done

A nearly $1 billion attack on Nebraska's agricultural economy has to sink its first claws somewhere.

Desperation and danger in search for man missing in the Niobrara

The Boyd County sheriff thought he had a feel for the debris field a few miles downstream from the failed Spencer Dam on the Niobrara River.

'We're all small towns' — Students sacrifice trip, give to flood victim who lost her home

Ponca Creek was coming her way, and she didn’t have much time.

5. 'Numb to it' — Farm family moves forward despite dead cows, beach where their field used to be

RICHLAND — Before that morning, all of the farmer’s cows were still alive, and not decaying downstream.

Along the Niobrara: Mile-long ice field melts, revealing another mess

She didn’t think their hay meadow would ever melt.

'Where I want to be' — With help from Lincoln, Niobrara cafe owner rebuilds

She didn’t see her café until the day after it flooded, because she couldn’t get out of Verdigre.

Young child who died in I-80 crash near Gretna identified

A 4-month-old girl was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 80 near the Nebraska Crossing Outlets on Saturday.

Plattsmouth city officials discover 'big deal problem' near flood-ravaged water treatment plant

PLATTSMOUTH -- Crews repairing the city’s water treatment plant damaged from this spring’s flood have encountered more problems.

Heavy spring rain means Corps of Engineers will again increase Gavins Point releases

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing water releases at Gavins Point Dam because of heavy rainfall in the past week.

Newcastle priest sows blessings in farmers' fields at planting time

NEWCASTLE -- All through the spring, summer and fall, farmers keep at least one eye on the sky.

Chadron fairgrounds' show barn coming down as a result of storm damage

CHADRON — The Dawes County Fairgrounds will have a different look in the coming weeks, as the old show barn is scheduled to be torn down.

How a Utah boy and $285.28 helped replace a damaged Nebraska bridge

Curled up on the couch before another day at kindergarten, the images of country bridges wiped out and Nebraska cattle herds isolated on islan…

Trump signs long-delayed $19.1B disaster aid bill

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill aimed at helping communities across the country bounce back f…

'Praying for a miracle' — Fitness, friendship at stake in Goodyear gym closing

By the time Carol Aslakson joined the Goodyear Fitness Center, multiple sclerosis was taking over her body.

'Each table is a small victory' — How volunteers and salvage lumber are helping flood victims

The idea came to John Ingram when he gathered with his family around their dining room table, but he didn’t know it yet.

Jim McKee: Flooding may be last chapter for Camp Ashland

Surviving and growing through several name changes, the Nebraska National Guard has had over a century of summer camps, some at U. S. Army fac…

Airboat tour provider struggling to get back on the water after March floods

FREMONT — Timothy Bryson points out the spots on his Platte River property washed away by flooding.

Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Lincoln area

The National Weather Service has placed much of Southeast Nebraska, including Lancaster County, in a severe thunderstorm watch.

Business east of Nebraska City struggling to survive river's one-two punch

The last time Alicia Chrastil checked on her retirement, it was full of frogs.

Nebraska's Underground Railroad site derailed by floods, and owners blame city

The hand-hewn cabin is one of Nebraska’s oldest homes, in one of its oldest cities, and it became famous for its history of harboring runaway …

Corps of Engineers official: Missouri River flood control measures need to be changed

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. — Flood-control measures along the Missouri River to the south of Sioux City, Iowa, must be changed, a top U.S. Army Co…

Hiker-biker bridge over Platte still closed, but cleanup coming soon

The trees hit the Lied Platte River Bridge like battering rams during the flood, flattening a few hundred feet of railing and damaging some of…

Traffic finally flowing on some flood-ravaged Sandhills highways

VALENTINE — The Nebraska Department of Transportation is reporting progress in restoring traffic on floodwater-covered highways in the state’s…

Heroism during Lincoln water crisis recognized

The "failure is not an option" attitude of leaders in Lincoln's water division received special recognition Monday, as Mayor Leirion Gaylor Ba…

National Guard to kick off $62 million Camp Ashland flood reconstruction project

Nebraska National Guard leaders will kick off a major rebuilding project at their Camp Ashland training site Friday, after two disastrous floo…

Pandemic portraits: Lincoln artist captures strange new time in old-fashioned photos

“What I’m really interested in is this moment in time for people: How do you look day by day during this COVID situation?"

Watch Now: Related Video

Dana White Rejects Trump's Offer to Become White House Press Secretary

What's cooking at Cordon's Pizza?

What's cooking at Cordon's Pizza?

Pheasant hunt

Pheasant hunt

Tesla Adds Cybertruck Shift Before Major Factory Change

Tesla Adds Cybertruck Shift Before Major Factory Change

Close

Camp Ashland/Thursday, March 14

This is one of the last images a time-lapse camera caught of the flooding Platte River before it was swept away from its stand at Camp Ashland on March 14, 2019.

Wednesday, March 13: The day before it filled with ice, this backwater chute at Camp Ashland was calm.

Larry Vrtiska (left) Mike Farrell and Jeff Dale stand where the river used to flow, discussing locations for mounting new cameras as part of the Platte Basin Timelapse project .

The ice rose so high, and was jammed so tightly, wildlife could walk on water and inspect a tree-mounted game camera at Camp Ashland. Behind and just to the left of the deer is the time-lapse camera, mounted on its 17-foot tripod. It was soon washed away.

Members of Platte Basin Timelapse project searched for a camera that was washed away in March and scouted new camera locations at Camp Ashland.

Standing where the river used to flow, members of Platte Basin Timelapse project and Nebraska Army National Guard employees scout locations to mount new cameras at Camp Ashland.

The remains of a tree sticks through a small channel of water that used to be a backwater chute of the Platte River at Camp Ashland.

A pair of geese fly above the Platte River at Camp Ashland.

Pieces of a flood-damaged home remained on the bank of the Platte River earlier this month near Camp Ashland.

Larry Vrtiska walks through a sandbar that was deposited by the March flooding, separating the Platte River from the restored backwater chutes of Camp Ashland.

The Platte River used to flow here, but March flooding buried that part of the channel with a sandbar.

Almost exactly three years before the flood, the backwater chute was dry.

×

JournalStar.com

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Sites & Partners

Services

© Copyright 2026 The Lincoln Journal Star, PO Box 81609 Lincoln, NE 68501

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Privacy Choices | Cookie Preferences

Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.

{{title}}

{{summary}}

You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Subscribe

Breaking News

Subscribe

Husker News

Subscribe

customer support chat

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiscoverJCBDiners ClubCredit CardCredit Card

Back ×

Offer

Sorry, an error occurred.

Already Subscribed!

Get StartedManage Service

Cancel anytime

You are logged in

 Switch accounts

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Back ×

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information

Username (Optional)

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!

* First name

* Last name

* Email Address

Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.

* Password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.

* Confirm Password

Confirm your password.

CAPTCHA

Create Account

or

Sign up with

Facebook Google

Have an account? Log In

×

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Back ×

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Email Address

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Log In

Email me a log in link

or

Sign in with

Facebook Google

Admin login Subscribe

Need an account? Sign Up

Back ×

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Email or Screen Name

CAPTCHA

Reset Password

×

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Back ×

Email me a log in link

Account Email

CAPTCHA

Send Email

Back ×

Promotional Offers

Promo code

Enter Promo Code

Redeem

No promotional rates found.

Back ×

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

See More Offers

details close

×

An error occurred

×

Secure & Encrypted

Sign in with

Email Address

Continue with Email Address

or

Continue with Facebook Continue with Google

What's your email address?

Email

Password

Confirm password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

What's your name?

First name

Last name

Who is this gift for?

Recipient name

Recipient email

Optional message for the recipient

Who is this gift from?

Purchaser name

Purchaser email

Purchaser zip code

Delivery date

Delivery date

What's your billing location?

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code

Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

What's your delivery address?

Copy billing location

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip code

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Phone

Purchase detail

Subtotal:

Total:

How would you like to pay?

Ending in

Add New Card

American Express Discover Mastercard Visa JCB Diners Club Credit Card Credit Card

Terms of service confirmation

I Agree to the Subscription Terms of Use.
This service will be automatically renewed and your credit card billed once it nears expiration.

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

×

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

Rate: Begins: Transaction ID:

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

×

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.

Close

Search AI Answers