SWWM

South West Weed Management
 

Recognizing the need to raise awareness and assist landowners and county weed supervisors Southwest Weed Management Area was initially formed under the Southwest RC&D in the early 2000’s. Activities were primarily focused on the Republican River from the Colorado/Nebraska state line to Cambridge, NE. Southwest Weed Management Area was restructured in 2018 and the organization name changed to Southwest Weed Management with a purpose to expand the scope of work beyond the Republican River into the seven counties serviced. Southwest Weed Management includes the counties of Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins and Red Willow.

Southwest Weed Management’s mission is to restore and improve native habitat and water quality by controlling noxious, non-desirable and invasive vegetation within the seven county SWWM area through partnerships with landowners, local, state and federal agencies and organizations.

 
 
  

Quick Facts

  • Southwest Weed Management was restructured in 2018 to expand the scope of work and area.
  • The project area includes the Republican River, Frenchman Creek, Medicine Creek, Stinking Water Creek, Red Willow Creek and several other tributaries with a drainage basin over 18,000 square miles.
  • Southwest Weed Management works with landowners and county weed supervisors to control non-desirable and invasive species.

Why The Concern?

  • Russian Olive: A 2014 UNL Study along Big Dry Creek in Colorado found that 1 acre of trees can consume 3.3M gallons/day. Republican River has significant infestations limiting water movement and competing with native vegetation.
  • Salt Cedar: A mature salt cedar consumes 80-120 gallons/day, some estimates up to 200 gallons/day. Can grow to dense stands of 3,000 trees/ac. Heavy infestations reduce populations of native species. Nebraska noxious weed.
  • Phragmites: Dense stands reduce channel flow. Another water consumptive non-native species. Nebraska noxious weed.
  • Eastern Red Cedar: Oklahoma State University study found that a 12 inch diameter cedar tree can consume up to 42 gallons/day with high temperatures and ample moisture. The study furture stated that dense stands have the potential to utilize almost all incoming percipitation, reducing availability for streams. Native species to Nebraska. Reduces rangeland capacity and economic benefits.

Partners

 

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