Water Action Plan and Three State Projects Draft

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Power Interference (Yield to EA of 5.5 kaf) The OPstudy model was modified to make the operation of the Power Interference Scenario compatible with the analysis done by Boyle. Specifically, excess to FERC requirements is considered during the non-irrigation season, and excess to "system needs" (irrigation, minimum canal flow, etc.) is considered during the irrigation season. Nebraska identified a target yield from this component of 4,000 acre-feet. The potential yield of this component is greater than 4,000 acre-feet, and in order to achieve results closer to the target level only a portion of the available power interference volume was reregulated and credited to the Environmental Account. The total amount credited was 5,500 acre-feet and this is assumed to be close to 4,000 acre-feet in "score". Net Controllable Conserved Water Based on discussions with Boyle and direction from the Water Action Plan Committee, an annual volume of 5,000 acre-feet was contributed to the Environmental Account from Lake McConaughy storage in each October. Dawson/Gothenburg Canal GW Recharge Due to time constraints and the need for additional modifications to model this component, the EIS team did not model this recharge project. It is noted that the projected yield is approximately 1,300 acre-feet. It is assumed that the project is feasible (i.e. enough "excess" remains to reregulate), and that the yield of 1,300 acre-feet is somewhat included in the other projects over/under-estimate of the total yield. Tamarack Phase III (Yield of 27.8 kaf exchanged into EA) This was modeled by increasing the pumping capacity of Wells 1, 2, 3, & 4 such that the reregulated volume exchanged into the McConaughy EA approximated the target level of 27,000 acre-feet. Total Score The total score of the combined North Platte, South Platte, and Central Platte projects is approximately 144 kaf.