News Release from
The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District

Date: July 2, 2007
Contact: Tim Anderson, Public Relations Manager
Phone: (308) 995-8601

Disruption in Water Flows to Cause Lower Lake Levels

(HOLDREGE, Neb.) -- A disruption of water flow from Sutherland Reservoir is likely to cause a drop in lake levels along The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District's (Central) Supply Canal.

The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) based in Columbus reported that it curtailed water releases from the North Platte Hydroplant by about 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Monday after increased turbulence and minor bank erosion was observed along the canal just below the outlet of Sutherland Reservoir.

The reduction in flows is affecting the available water supply and has led to an additional reduction in releases and storage levels downstream.

NPPD diverts water into its Keystone Canal at the east end of Lake Ogallala which lies immediately below Kingsley Dam and Lake McConaughy. Water flows down the Keystone Canal to Sutherland Reservoir and then to Lake Maloney and NPPD's North Platte Hydroplant. After passing through the hydroplant, the water is returned to the South Platte River just above Central's diversion dam where it can be diverted into Central's Supply Canal. Central's Supply Canal delivers water to three hydroplants, its main irrigation canals and several lakes, including Jeffrey, Midway and Johnson.

Water levels at NPPD's Lake Maloney are likely to decline one foot with a similar drop over the next few days at Central's Johnson Lake.

Currently the two districts are passing water through Keystone Diversion Dam directly into the North Platte River to help meet downstream needs of irrigation customers. In addition, water was released from Lake Maloney and the amount of water released for NPPD's irrigation customers at Central's Jeffrey River Return was reduced as much as possible.

Central civil engineer Cory Steinke said that diversions into Central's Supply Canal are expected to temporarily drop by 400 to 500 cfs until the additional water coming down the North Platte River reaches the diversion dam.
"The water is on its way, but it takes at least two days to travel from Keystone Dam to North Platte," Steinke said. "From North Platte to Johnson Lake and the irrigated area can take another two days. We're trying to spread out the impact to water levels at our lakes so that no single lake bears the brunt of the water shortage."

"NPPD is doing everything necessary to mitigate the situation in the short term and to determine the engineering options that will help alleviate the situation in the long term," said Chuck Troia, water systems/ renewable energy manager for NPPD. "We appreciate Central's cooperation and regret any inconvenience this may have caused them and any irrigation customers and lake residents."

Troia added that it was not known how long the condition may persist.

(###)