The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has awarded five groups funding to manage weeds and other overgrowth in sections of the Republican, North Platte, South Platte and Platte rivers.

Ag director Greg Ibach said the projects will share $2 million in grants that are designed to improve the health of the river basins.

More than $600,000 will to the Western Republican Riparian Improvement Project, which is sponsored by the Southwest Weed Management Area.