(HOLDREGE, Neb.) – The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s board of directors approved a contribution from the Lake Improvement Funds account to be given to the Johnson Lake Community Playground at their October monthly meeting on Monday (Oct. 6) in Holdrege.
Directors voted to approve a contribution of $10,000 to a project to construct the new Pickleball Courts under the memorandum of agreement for the construction and maintenance of publicly available amenities at Johnson Lake. The new courts are planned to be part of the Johnson Lake Community playground project that was completed in 2023.
In addition, the board also gave approval of the addition of a bronze sculpture project near North Point at Johnson Lake. The sculpture is planned to be located near the Hike and Bike Trail surrounding North Shore and will be privately funded.
Directors discussed the numerous improvement projects that have been recently completed at Johnson Lake, including new dikes and shore work near Medo’s. The new boat ramp at Medo’s was completed last week and is now open to the public.
Hydraulic Project Operations Manager Cory Steinke told the board that concrete was poured last week for the boat ramp at Phillips Lake. It will be later this fall when that ramp will become available. There is more sidewalk and parking lot work to be done at the site when the water is lowered next week.
Also at Monday’s board meeting:
- Directors approved a final progress payment of $455,095 to BSB Construction for the Elwood Dam Seepage Mitigation Project. The Elwood Dam project, which was supported by both the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and the State of Nebraska was completed for less than original engineering estimates.
- Irrigation and Water Services Manager reported on repairs that will be needed on a structure along the Phelps County Canal. After irrigation season during inspection, it was discovered that a portion of the concrete apron had collapsed at the approach to the 9.7 siphon structure. Dicke explained two potential solutions to the problem and directors approved a budget of $250,000 to go out and receive bids to address the issue. Options include a foam injection or a complete replacement of concrete.
- Dicke reported that the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRIPP) would not be offering their water leasing program in 2026 as an option for producers to receive payment to not irrigate acres.
- Directors approved the schedule for the 2026 irrigation season. The season will run from June 8-August 30 in 2026.
- Civil Engineer Tyler Thulin reported that Lake McConaughy’s elevation was at 3223.9 feet on Monday (43.5% of capacity). Inflows are around 950 cubic feet per second (cfs), and outflows are about 250 cfs. He stated that he is releasing water for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) diversion requirements of 900 cfs at the CNPPID Diversion Dam through November 1.
- Thulin told the board that the Fall Hydrocycling period is set to begin Oct. 17 and run through Nov. 10. During this period, elevation at Johnson Lake will fluctuate around two feet. He reminded the board that water levels at Johnson Lake have refilled to their normal fall elevations following completion of the boat ramp work that was done last month.
- The board participated in a budget workshop provided by the management team to prepare for the development of the 2026 budget in coming months.