Perkins County Canal project protects Nebraska’s water rights

At the request of Governor Ricketts, Speaker Mike Hilgers introduced LB 1015. This bill intends to protect Nebraska’s water supply by giving the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources the ability to build a canal and reservoir system that would be tied to the South Platte River. The project has been called the Perkins County Canal project and cost estimates have been up to $500 million dollars. In 1923, Nebraska and Colorado signed a compact outlining the use of the water that flows from Colorado into Nebraska via the South Platte River. Under the compact Nebraska is allowed to divert 500 cubic feet per second during the non-irrigation season but to do this Nebraska must construct, maintain and operate a canal for the diverted water out of the South Platte River.

According to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources if we don’t do anything we could face a 90% reduction in the South Platte River flow, which would be enough water to fill Memorial Stadium 1,000 times each year. There could be potential harm to threatened species due to reduced flows and reduced conveyance capacity during critical times. Also, it could result in higher power rates from the impacts to hydropower and cooling supplies. The Department estimates the negative impact to Nebraska to be in excess of $1 billion dollars.

The Governor’s budget recommendation would use $400,000,000 of cash reserve funds and $100,000,000 in ARPA funds (American Rescue Plan Act) for the Perkins County Canal project. Nebraska’s cities and towns, farmers, habitat, along with Lake McConaughy and North Platte River water users all benefit from the South Platte River flows. The water that flows from Colorado could be greatly reduced if we don’t act now to protect our rights. If we lose the South Platte flows it will place additional demands and pressures on the water from both the North Platte and the Platte flows. This is not a southwest Nebraska issue; the loss of South Platte flows will have a negative impact across the entire state from the Wyoming border clear to Iowa.

Water is one of the most valuable resources in Nebraska and we must protect it. And that is the reason I have designated LB 1015 as my personal priority bill for 2022. I know the price tag looks very large, but $500 million is only 5%, compared to the almost $10 billion Colorado is thinking of spending for the same water.

Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns that you might have. My email address is dhughes@leg.ne.gov and my phone number is (402) 471-2805. My office is in room 2108 at the Capitol if you are in the Lincoln area.