U.S. Water News Online
COLUMBUS, Neb. -- While most of the West is experiencing
above-normal runoff
from generally abundant snowpacks, an exception to the well-watered
norm is
the Platte River Basin in northern Colorado, southwest Wyoming, and
western
Nebraska. As Nebraska irrigators entered their most intensive
water-using
season of the year, inflow into Platte River reservoirs is 12 percent
below
the 20-year average.
Despite the shortfall, officials of the Nebraska Public Power
District say
that the irrigation season has begun with normal water storage. This
paradox,
they say, is partially due to water conservation along with lingering
effects
of an extremely wet 1993. Because conditions were so cool and wet two
years
ago, the district reportedly gained an extra irrigation season worth
of water
storage beyond what was anticipated.
Each year, the Nebraska power district prepares an operating
program for
reservoirs along with irrigators. The 1995 plan anticipated dry
conditions
because the long-term pattern of below-average precipitation appeared
to be
continuing in Wyoming and northern Colorado. Snowfall in the upper
basin
ultimately turned out to be even lower than anticipated.
Return to the U.S. Water News' Archives page
Or
Return to the U.S. Water News Homepage
uswatrnews@aol.com