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UU~~JJ South Dakota to about Bennett County in Nebraska and then flo~ south by gravity into Lake McConaughy in Nebraska. Water would be pumped from the south side of Lake McConaughy through a siphon under the South Platte River. In the area located south of the South Platte River to the terminus at West Bonny Reservoir, this route becomes common to the other main canal alternative routes. As the study progressed and as needs were better defined, it ~as determined that the canal was not strategically located in relation to the priority areas of need. The canal is too far west to use the Loup and Platte Rivers for stream transport of water. It was also determined that turnover of water in Lake McConaughy from direct canal discharge into the reservoir would be too environmentally disturbing. Central Main Canal Route This route would proceed southwestward from Lake Francis Case into Nebraska and then westward along the south side of the Niobrara River valley. The route would not run as far west as the western route. After turning south in Cherry County, Nebraska, the canal would flow by gravity to a point just downstream from Kingsley Dam at Lake McConaughy. A pumping plant and short length of canal would transport the water to a siphon under the South Platte River. On the south side of the South Platte River valley, the canal would join the route common to the other main canal routes. This route would offer the option of serving the O'Neill area and water could be dropped into the North and Middle Loup Rivers. At Lake McConaughy, water could be released from the main canal to the North Platte and Platte Rivers or into Lake McConaughy if needed. Environ- mental enhancement would be obtained by replenishing low water levels on the central Platte River, which has been designated as critical habitat for whooping cranes. A32