General Description

The Sargent Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program extends along the Middle Loup River Valley between the towns of Milburn and Comstock, Nebraska. Generally, the lands are within the Loess Hills region. Irrigation facilities consist of the Milburn Diversion Dam on the Middle Loup River, the 39.6-mile-long Sargent Canal, 44.2 miles of laterals, 19.4 miles of drains, and a small pump lifting installation. Benefits include flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife conservation and enhancement. Originally, another canal was to have been included in the unit plan; however, this phase of the development has been dropped from the plan indefinitely.

Plan

The Milburn Diversion Dam diverts water from the Middle Loup River and delivers it through the Sargent Canal to 13,363 irrigable acres of the unit located north of the river. The diversion dam is near Milburn, 27 miles upstream from Sargent. In addition to diverting water for irrigation, the structure is used to control sediment. Much of the sediment moves along the bottom of the diversion dam pool to the sluiceway. The sluiceway skims surface water to the Sargent Canal headworks and releases sediment-laden bottom flows to the river. The diverted water enters a settling basin which traps most of the sediment not caught in the sluicing operation. Trapped sediment is removed from the basin by a hydraulic dredge.

Unit descriptions and facilities

Milburn Diversion Dam and Canal System

The Milburn Diversion Dam is a concrete weir structure with a hydraulic height of 13 feet. With wing dikes, it is 3,880 feet in length. The dam diverts water into the Sargent Canal at 260 cubic feet per second. The canal is 39.6 miles long, and the laterals are 44.2 miles long. The Woods Park Pumping Plant, near the end of the canal, serves about 180 acres. It has a capacity of 6 cubic feet per second and a lift of 19.5 feet.

Operating agency

The Loup Basin Reclamation District operates and maintains the diversion dam works, laterals, drains, and other irrigation works of the Sargent Unit. The Loup Basin Reclamation District acts as the contracting agency for the Sargent Irrigation District and the Farwell Irrigation District (Farwell Unit) in matters concerning the diversion and canal works. The Sargent and Farwell Irrigation Districts are the contracting agencies for the lateral and drainage works of their respective units within the Middle Loup Division.

Development

Selection of Council Bluffs by President Lincoln as the starting point of the railroad to serve the West was conducive to the settlement of this territory. Cattlemen were first to settle in the Middle Loup River Valley. Rapid economic expansion occurred between 1870 and 1890, when principal railroads were constructed across the State. Immigrants formed the backbone of the Sargent area's population. They constructed several irrigation projects along the Middle Loup River during the drought period of the middle 1890's. Interest in the early project dwindled when rainfall was received in the following few years. As a result, most of the irrigation systems fell into disuse, and eventually all of them were abandoned. There was little subsequent development during the first 25 years of the 20th century.

Investigations

In 1939, the Sargent Public Irrigation District was organized to irrigate approximately 25,000 acres of valley land along the north side of the Middle Loup River. Repeated and unsuccessful attempts were made to obtain development funds from the Public Works Administration. In 1946, local leaders again undertook an aggressive campaign for development. In January 1950, the Loup Basin Reclamation District was organized and the Bureau of Reclamation was requested to make a detailed investigation. The Sargent Unit definite plan report for the initial development was approved May 20, 1953.

Authorization

The Sargent Unit was authorized by the Flood Control Acts of December 22, 1944, and July 24, 1946.

Construction

Construction of the Milburn Diversion Dam began in March 1955 and was completed in May 1956. The Sargent Canal and laterals were started in January 1955 and finished in December 1957.

Benefits

Principal irrigated crops in the unit include alfalfa, corn, and silage. Beef cattle serve as an important source of farm income. Under irrigation, average crop yields have increased considerably, with a resultant increase in farm income.

Recreation and Fish and Wildlife

Hunting, fishing and picnicking below Milburn Diversion Dam are the principal recreational activities in the area. Picnic tables, fire grates, and other facilities have been installed through the cooperative efforts of the Loup Basin Reclamation District, Sargent Lions Club, Sargent Chamber of Commerce, Loup Valley Wildlife Association, Mid-Nebraska Wildlife Club, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and the Bureau of Reclamation. These Facilities are administered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Flood Control

On numerous occasions, seasonal and flash floods have menaced the city of Sargent and the bottom lands of the Middle Loup River, causing damage to crops and transportation and communication facilities. The construction of the Sargent Canal along the north edge of the valley controls the upland runoff and provides flood protection to Sargent.

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