current uses of papillion creek
The Papillion Creek has generally three uses:
1. Surface water deposition
2. Flood control
3. Non-water related recreation on the trails – cycling, jogging, walking by individuals, families and groups
surface water deposition and flood control
The Papillion Creek streams have innumerable stormwater outfalls along the streambanks. These can be seen from any bridge and are easily identified. They can be corrugated metal or cement, some with and some without back-flow doors, and are of various diameters. In addition to these, there are Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSOs) which carry both stormwater runoff and sewage in times of heavy rains, and empty into the Papillion Creek (as well as the Missouri River). Lastly, there are outfalls that are of questionable sources. The role of receiving stream for runoff and unwanted watery discharges has been the Papio’s unfortunate designated function.
Concern of flooding in the urbanized area of the lower portion of the watershed has contributed to the NRD’s effort to modify the system to prevent flood damage and danger. This has included the channelization of many segments of the Papio system for the purpose of greater capacity in the stream channel itself, and greater speed of moving the water through the system. Development of reservoirs on the streams, (ex. Lake Cunningham on the Little Papio), was done as a means of storing large quantities of runoff to reduce flooding potential of downstream reaches.
non-water related recreation on the trail system
The Papillion Creek streams have limited usage by residents of the watershed. Except for bicyclists, joggers, and walkers on metro-area trails that parallel several of the Papio creeks, the streams themselves are seldom used. Infrequently, fishing and kayaking take place on the streams. Occasional pools or reaches with deeper water provide fishing opportunities for watershed residents who wish to have the chance to fish near their home community and are able to climb down the steep banks. However, the deep channelized streams do not lend themselves for easy access by anyone and are particularly difficult for a family or a senior citizen.
the trails
The only real use of the Papillion Creeks is by the Metropolitan Area Trails Network—a system of trails that wind through Omaha and the surrounding suburban areas. Funding comes from tax-generated monies led by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, as well as municipalities, state, federal, and private grants. The network is a coordinated effort among them. Many of the trails follow the flood control levees along the Big, Little, and West Papillion Creeks as well as the Missouri and Platte Rivers.The Papio-Missouri NRD has spearheaded the establishment of many of the trails, serves as lead agency for the trails, and provides mowing and other maintenance of those trails that are along the Papillion Creeks. The NRD maintains the levees and stream banks on the Papillion Creek streams and conducts the channelization and other major modifications to the creeks.
These trails interconnect the metropolitan area with urban lakes, parks, soccer and sport complexes, swimming pools, UNO environs, downtown, and the newly developed riverfront along the Missouri River. Many cross under some of the city’s busiest intersections and streets. The trails are paved and parking areas are located at certain access points. No vehicles are allowed. The trails are regularly used by bikers, joggers, walkers, hikers, and skaters. They provide an energy-wise alternative to driving to work.
The following descriptions pertain to the trails that are associated with the Papillion Creeks.
West Papio Trail—winds along the West Papillion Creek through subdivisions and parks, and is thought to be the most scenic. Tracing it from the north, it begins at 160th Street and works its way past Ed Zorinsky Lake, Chalco Hills and Wehrspann Lake, through the City of Papillion, and ends near 36th Street as the West Papio merges with the Big Papillion Creek.
Big Papio Trail—begins in the north at Tranquility Park at 120th and West Maple Road and follows the Big Papillion Creek through One Pacific Place Park and south into Seymour L. Smith Park on Harrison Street. It connects with the Keystone Trail.
Keystone Trail/Bellevue Loop Trail—passes through a wide variety of settings and is free of hills. Its underpasses allow users to cross major roads without traffic concerns. This is the longest and busiest trail in the metro area. It begins at 87th Street and will eventually connect to the Glenn Cunningham Lake. The Bellevue Loop Trail connects with the Keystone Trail at Highway 370 and 25th Street at Bellevue, and winds around to Haworth Park on the banks of the Missouri River in Bellevue.
