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1-18 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I reservoirs in the basin. Sherman Reservoir is an off-stream irrigation reservoir and Erickson Lake is a hydroelectric reser- voir. Lake Babcock and Lake North are used for power generation and are supplied by the Loup Canal although they are not in the basin. Two Nebraska threatened species have been collected in the upper reaches of the Middle Loup River. These are the finscale dace and the pearl dace. o North Platte River Basin - The North Platte River has its head- waters in Wyoming and runs through south central Nebraska to its confluence with the South Platte River. Most of the river basin is in the short grass prai rie vegetation zone and Sandhill s prairie, with elm-ash-cottonwood riparian forest. The fisheries in the basin are variously of statewide, regional and local importance. Surface waters in the basin contain mixed and cold water fisheries. Seasonal flows in the North Platte vary signi- ficantly, and are also affected by reservoir releases and irri- gation diversions. There are three large water storage reservoirs in the basin: Lake McConaughy (flood control and irrigation), Lake Alice and Lake Minatare (irrigation). Large numbers of waterfowl wi nter on the North Pl atte, par- ticularly geese. Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located within the basin in the Sandhills. The northern red. belly dace, threatened in Nebraska, has been collected in this basin. o Middle Platte River Basin - The Middle Platte River Basin occu- pies a narrow strip through south central Nebraska which begins at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers and ends near the mouth of the Loup River. Most of the Pl atte Basin is in mixed and Sandhills prairie with elm-ash-cottonwood riparian forests. Significant features of the basin include some rain- water basins and Sandhills lakes, and the wildlife that utilizes the Platte River. The river provides an important stopover for spring and fall migrating waterfowl and al so a harvesting area and goose wintering area. Sandhi 11 cranes utili ze the ri ver for spri ng stagi ng, and a number of whooping crane observations have been made here. In addition, a large wintering population of bald eagles utilizes Jeffrey Reservoi r (Middl e Pl atte River Basi n Water Qual ity Management Pl an, January 1975). Fi sheri es are mostl y warm water. Flow in the river is partly controlled by Lake McConaughy. o South Platte River Basin - The South Platte River originates in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and flows eastward through southwestern Nebraska to its confluence with the North Platte. Most of the basin lies in short grass prairie with some mid-grass prairie and elm-ash-cottonwood riparian forests. There are two large reservoi rs in the bas in. These are Sutherl and Reservoi rand Lake Maloney. Sutherl and is used primaril y for i rri gat i on and power generation and Lake Maloney is principally for power