Post date: Dec 04, 2009 12:46:1 AM

Elwood Reservoir’s hard times may end

by HARRY G. PERKINS

World-Herald News Service

Published: Friday, November 27, 2009 2:15 PM CST

ELWOOD – The end may be in sight for Elwood Reservoir’s hard times.

The hard times began with the drought that in 2000, but Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District water is returning the reservoir to a full pool in 2010, and thousands of fish have been stocked there.

John Thorburn, general manager of Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, said his district and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission agreed to pay Central $115,532 to cover the cost of hydropower revenue Central will lose by diverting flow from its hydro system below Johnson Lake.

Thorburn said Tri-Basin’s interest is to replenish underground recharge that diminished in the Republican Valley watershed after the reservoir’s water level dropped.

“This is a win-win situation for Game and Parks, Central, and the people who will be able to fish at the reservoir again,” Thorburn said,

Central Water Manager Corey Steinke said the level of the reservoir was raised 20 feet in October using gravity flow from the supply canal at Johnson Lake. Direct pumping begins March 1.

Central Information Director Jeff Buettner said at full pool, the reservoir will have 40,000 acre-feet of water.

Fingerling-size fish have been stocked in the reservoir. Daryl Bauer, program manager for fisheries outreach for Game and Parks, said the intention is to see the reservoir become the recreation spot as it once was.

Bauer said almost 90,000 yellow perch, channel catfish, walleye and wiper fingerlings were stocked this year. Walleye led the stocking with 57,460 in June.