Years of drought throughout Nebraska has created a problem that is starting to take over the Platte River.

Dense vegetation on sandbars caused by non-native weeds --- phragmites and purple loose strife coupled with trees --- is plugging the river.

It affects wildlife, recreation and the flow of the Platte River itself.

It's so dense you can't even walk through it.

"It creates a dense thick mat and it sucks up a lot of water...it crowds out all native vegetation," said Douglas County Weed Control Officer Mike Reed.

“The Phragmites can clog the river and we are very concerned particularly in the Valley to Fremont area where we have the potential for some ice jam flooding," said Rich Tesar of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

Gayann Henn is concerned about potential ice jams later this year.

"With all the trees on the sandbar there's nowhere for that ice to flow," she said.

So the natural resource district is calling in an air strike.

The dense foliage from Fremont to the Missouri River will be sprayed by helicopter.

The weed grows fast --- 10 inches a day.

An herbicide called habitat will be sprayed to kill it.

"I don't think agencies like the NRD would use chemicals that would harm anybody or animals.” Gayann Henn said. “I have no problem with it at all."

The Environmental Protection Agency said the aquatic herbicide is safe for fish, animals and humans.

The cost for spraying is $150 an acre. Landowners along the river will pay two-thirds of that bill.