Zorinsky Water Quality Basin #1

Project Information

Zorinsky Basin #1 (ZB-1) was identified as part of a plan developed between the City of Omaha and Papio NRD to protect the water quality of Zorinsky Lake. ZB-1 is a water quality basin designed to trap sediment and excess nutrients that are picked up by rain and flow into local waterways that lead to Zorinsky Lake. This water quality basin was one of the first structures implemented as part of the Papillion Creek Watershed Management Plan and was completed in 2015.  

ZB-1 has since been protecting Zorinsky lake from increased sediment during development as Omaha and Elkhorn rapidly expand to the west. Large sediment loads have accumulated in the basin that would have otherwise been transported to Zorinsky Lake and contributed to the sedimentation concerns in the upper portions of the lake. The City of Omaha manages the site, but no recreation features are included at the water quality basin projects.

Project Location

Project Details

Status: Completed

Location: Douglas County, NE

Drainage Area: 1,660 acres

Lake Area: 19 acres

Project Site Area: 44 Acres

Project Highlights

Zorinsky Basin #1 has a unique outlet to efficiently pass water through the structure. The concrete labyrinth weir stores and slowly passes base flow and small rain events that carry large pollutant loads, but quickly passes flows from large storms events that prevent significant increases in water surface elevation.
This structure reduces sediment and nutrient loadings to Zorinsky Lake.
The Zorinsky water quality basins were originally reccomneded in the Community-Based Watershed Management Plan for Zorinsky Lake in 1999 and later incorporated into the 2009 PCWP plan.