July 7 2025
(HOLDREGE, Neb.) – The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s board of directors held their monthly meeting on Monday (July 7) handling routing business while listening to reports from management and staff.
Also at Monday’s board meeting:
- The board approved a work order in the amount of $76,361 to Beveridge Inc, of North Platte for a road improvement project near the Central Diversion Dam east of North Platte. Road improvements were made in preparation for the GRIT Group beginning their operations of removing sediment at the diversion dam.
- Irrigation and Water Services Manager Scott Dicke told the board that groundwater recharge occurred between June 25-July 3 using excess flows. Around 3,600 acre/feet of water was put into Elwood Reservoir, 350 acre/feet into Victor WPA and nearly 390 acre/feet into the Funk WPA. Central partners with the State of Nebraska and Platte River Recovery Implementation Program to provide recharge services during excess flow events.
- Dicke also reported to the directors that the E-65 Siphon project was selected for a WaterSmart grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the amount of $3 million. This is in addition to the nearly $9 million that Central received from the Water Sustainability Fund. He reminded the board that construction manager at risk (CMAR) qualifications for the project are due by July 29.
- Civil Engineer Tyler Thulin reported that Lake McConaughy’s elevation was at 3230.4 feet on Monday (50.7% of capacity). Inflows are around 450 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is down 150 cfs since the board working meeting on June 27. Outflows are about 1600 cfs, which is lower than normal thanks to recent rain events and lower irrigation demand.
- Nathan Fleecs was introduced to the board as a new member of the Land Administration Team. Fleecs is a Sutherland, Neb., native who comes to Central after spending the past seven years serving in the U.S. Army.