News Release from
The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District

Date: Oct. 16, 2007
Contact: Cory Steinke, Civil Engineer
Phone: (308) 995-8601

Johnson No. 2 Hydroplant Operations

(HOLDREGE, Neb.) -- Operations at Central's Johnson No. 2 Hydroplant southeast of Lexington this week will result in fluctuating water levels at Johnson Lake and in the Platte River below the Johnson No. 2 River Return.

Approximately 450 cubic feet per second (cfs) will pass through the J-2 Hydroplant beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 17 until 5 a.m. on Oct. 18, when flows will be increased to approximately 1,050 cfs.  Flows will increase to 1,750 cfs at 5 a.m. on Oct. 19 until approximately 11 p.m. when the hydroplant will be taken off-line.

The result will be higher flows in the Platte River below the J-2 Return during and for a period after the plant is on-line.  Johnson Lake is expected to drop about 2 to 2.5 feet during the period and then begin rising after the cycle ends.

The operations are part of a hydrocycling agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address FWS concerns regarding the impact of storage/release operations at Johnson Lake that may affect threatened and/or endangered species habitat along the central reach of the Platte River.  Operations are dependent upon the time of year and the threatened and/or endangered species most likely to be present at the time.  Whooping cranes that may roost in the Platte River below the J-2 Return between approximately Oct. 17 and Nov. 10 are the current species of concern.

Similar cycles will occur over the next few weeks.  After Nov. 10, generation at the J-2 Hydroplant will return to a schedule typical of recent fall/winter operations.  Interested parties can check this website for periodic schedule updates.

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