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<br />North Platte Project
<br />Settlement of the North Platte Valley in western Ne-
<br />braska began in the early 1880's. Rainfall was scarce
<br />when needed, and small private irrigation systems were
<br />built without storage reservoirs. The lack of facilities to
<br />hold the early spring runoff meant that the river could
<br />not supply sufficient water during the growing season
<br />and some of the projects failed.
<br />Investigations
<br />In 1895, Nebraska enacted an irrigation district law per-
<br />mitting the formation of districts with power to assess
<br />lands for irrigation improvements. Shortly after the
<br />Federal Reclamation Act was passed in 1902, the Recla-
<br />mation Service began studying the North Platte Project.
<br />The project was authorized in 1903, and surveys were
<br />started to determine the location of irrigable lands. As
<br />the work proceeded, it became apparent that storage
<br />must be provided to reclaim any considerable area. Fur-
<br />ther investigations led to the selection of the Pathfinder
<br />Dam site as the most favorable storage location.
<br />Authorization
<br />The project, originally called Sweetwater Project, was
<br />authorized by the Secretary of the Interior on March 14,
<br />1903. Guernsey Dam and Powerplant were approved by
<br />the President on April 30, 1925.
<br />Construction
<br />Construction started in 1905 on Pathfinder Dam and the
<br />Interstate Canal. By 1915, work on the Interstate Canal
<br />and Reservoirs was completed and work had started
<br />on Fort Laramie Canal. Lingle Powerplant and the
<br />Northport Canal system were started in 1918. All canal
<br />construction was completed by 1925. Guernsey Dam was
<br />started on June 1, 1925, and completed in July 1927.
<br />Operating Agency
<br />The Pathfinder and Guernsey Reservoirs, Whalen Diver-
<br />sion Dam, and Guernsey Powerplant are operated and
<br />maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation. The water
<br />distribution systems are operated by the districts which
<br />they serve.
<br />BENEFITS
<br />Irrigation
<br />Over 335,000 acres of sagebrush and rangeland were
<br />transformed into productive farmland. Agriculture is the
<br />basic income - producing activity. From the first irrigation,
<br />the project has produced alfalfa, corn, potatoes, and
<br />sugar beets steadily and abundantly. Dry beans also have
<br />become an important crop.
<br />Hydroelectric Power
<br />Electricity is supplied to many towns, rural cooperatives,
<br />and industries in the project area.
<br />Flood Control
<br />Project reservoirs have been effective in reducing damage
<br />to property and loss of life from floods. A direct result of
<br />flood control is the increased utilization of river valley
<br />lands made safe and productive by the regulation of
<br />riverflows.
<br />Recreation
<br />Guernsey Reservoir area has camp and picnic grounds
<br />with fireplace grates, garbage disposal units, and water
<br />supply. It also provides swimming and boating. Path-
<br />finder Reservoir is used for boating and fishing, pri-
<br />marily for German brown and Mackinaw trout. Picnic
<br />grounds, a swimming beach, and boat docks are avail-
<br />able at Lake Minatare, and fishing is good for trout,
<br />perch, and pike.
<br />PROJECT DATA
<br />Land Areas (1977)
<br />Irrigable area:
<br />Full irrigation service ..................... 226,237 acres
<br />Supplemental irrigation service ............. 108,71 .acres
<br />Total ........... acres
<br />Number of irrigated farms ................. 2,773
<br />Area Irrigated and Crop Value
<br />Year
<br />Area irrigated,
<br />acres
<br />Crop value,'
<br />dollars
<br />1968
<br />335,038
<br />41,229,749
<br />1969
<br />335,038
<br />44,661,070
<br />1970
<br />334,952
<br />46,350,354
<br />1971
<br />334,952
<br />49,282,381
<br />1972
<br />334,952
<br />62,507,512
<br />1973
<br />334,952
<br />84,825,992
<br />1974
<br />334.952
<br />130,521,523
<br />1975
<br />334,952
<br />113,196,095
<br />1976
<br />320,054
<br />82,801,974
<br />1977
<br />319,575
<br />84,675,518
<br />'Includes additional revenue.
<br />Facilities in Operation
<br />Storage dams ............................
<br />5
<br />Diversion dams ..........................
<br />4
<br />Canals .. ...............................
<br />337 mi
<br />Laterals . ...............................
<br />1,261 mi
<br />Pumping plants ..........................
<br />1
<br />Drains .. ...............................
<br />373 mi
<br />Powerplants ............................
<br />1
<br />Transmission lines .......................
<br />162.5 mi
<br />Substations.............................
<br />4
<br />0
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