Post date: Sep 23, 2013 9:32:38 PM

Johnson Lake to see quick rise with floodwaters

Posted: Monday, September 23, 2013 12:30 pm By LORI POTTER Hub Staff Writer http://kearneyhub.com

KEARNEY — Platte River floodwaters have been diverted by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District since the high flows reached North Platte Friday evening.

Now, Johnson Lake residents will start seeing a quick rise in lake levels.

CNPPID Civil Engineer Cory Steinke said he’s diverting the maximum possible, 2,250 cubic feet per second, into the district’s irrigation canals and reservoirs.

He said the high flows were at North Platte by 7-9 p.m. Friday, and he had opened the gates to reach that maximum by midnight. “We went from 1,500 to 2,200 cfs in no time. We were spilling water by the second hour,” Steinke said.

Water went into the Phelps and E-65 canals and was being pumped into Elwood Reservoir Friday night.

Steinke said he drew down Johnson Lake a bit over the past couple of days to make more room for the diverted floodwaters. “I’m trying to take the peak off the flood,” he said.

He also has been running about 1,000 cfs through the J-2 Hydro and then returning 800 cfs to the river. That will change now that the floodwaters have reached Dawson County.

Steinke plans to reduced flows through the hydro and start filling Johnson Lake faster in the next 24 hours.