J-2 Eagle Watch Open

(HOLDREGE, Neb.) -- The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District will once again provide eagle-watching opportunities to the public this winter.

The J-2 viewing center will be open on Saturdays and Sundays this season, starting on Sat., Dec. 28 and will remain open until the first weekend in March.

The J-2 facility is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., CST. The hydroplant is located south of Lexington near the intersection of county roads 749 and 750.

Central's eagle-viewing facility below Kingsley Dam will also open for the season on Sat., Dec. 28 and will remain open until the first weekend in March.

The Kingsley Dam facility is open for eagle-viewing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (MST) on Saturdays and Sundays.

A limited number of binoculars are available at the facilities, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own viewing equipment.

Central has been providing eagle-viewing opportunities at J-2 since 1988 and at Kingsley Dam since 1990. The eagles are attracted to feed on fish in the open water below the plants, particularly when rivers and lakes in the area are covered with ice.

Several factors influence the number of eagles seen from the facilities on any given day, including climatic conditions, ice coverage on area bodies of water, how many eagles are wintering in the area, and whether the hydroplants are on-line. The best viewing time is normally earlier in the day. There is no charge to visit the facilities.

For more information about eagles and viewing opportunities, visit Central's Web page at www.cnppid.com or call (308) 995-8601.