OGALLALA WWTP 1 - Ogallala, Nebraska Wastewater Treatment Plant

OGALLALA WWTP 1 is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on East Riverdale Road in Ogallala, Keith County, Nebraska. The plant serves a population of about 5,000 people, classifying it as a small to medium-sized agglomeration under U.S. EPA guidelines. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the South Platte River, which flows eastward to join the North Platte River, forming the Platte River. The Platte River is a critical habitat for migratory birds, including the endangered whooping crane, and supports diverse aquatic life. The watershed is part of the larger Missouri River basin, ultimately draining into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

The plant discharges into the South Platte River, a tributary of the Platte River system. The Platte River is a vital migratory corridor for sandhill cranes and other waterfowl, and its shallow, braided channels support unique riparian ecosystems. The watershed is semi-arid, making water quality management crucial for maintaining ecological balance and downstream uses including irrigation and recreation.