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Keystone Diversion Dam to provide a daily average of approximately 400 cfs downstream <br />of the Korty Canal and a minimum diversion at Central Diversion Dam to provide a daily <br />average of approximately 1,000 cfs in the Central Supply Canal. <br />In general, the nonirrigation season operating plan is to gradually increase the storage level <br />in Lake McConaughy to reach elevation 3,260 prior to the beginning of the irrigation season <br />(April/May) and to store to elevation 3,265 later in the season if the water supply is <br />available. If the operations indicate that these reservoir elevations will not be reached, <br />releases are reduced so that more water can be stored in Lake McConaughy. Likewise, <br />downward adjustments may be made to the releases of supplemental irrigation water if there <br />are exceptionally low storage levels in Lake McConaughy. Factors considered in making <br />adjustments in the annual operation plan include the following: (1) inflow forecasts; (2) <br />basin snowpack; (3) drought conditions in the basin (e.g., soil moisture content and <br />expected irrigation demand); (4) carryover storage in upstream reservoirs and in Lake <br />McConaughy; and (5) significant autumn or early irrigation season diversions at upstream <br />irrigation canals. <br />Kingsley hydroplant is operated to provide load - following energy generation with the <br />generation coinciding with peak demand periods. The discharge water is reregulated by <br />Lake Ogallala and is either diverted into the Sutherland Canal for cooling and hydropower <br />generation or is released down the North Platte River at Keystone. <br />When possible, the Districts operate to protect or enhance fishery resources. During the <br />annual walleye spawning season, beginning on or about April 1, reservoirs below Lake <br />McConaughy (i.e., Sutherland Reservoir, Lake Maloney, Jeffrey Reservoir, and Johnson <br />Lake) are, to the extent practicable, maintained at constant or gaining water levels. In <br />cooperation with NGPC, Kingsley hydroplant releases during April and/or May are <br />scheduled to minimize daily fluctuations in Lake Ogallala (i.e., with maximum fluctuations <br />of 1 foot in Lake Ogallala if possible). Also, the projects deliver a flow of 16 cfs to satisfy <br />the appropriation of the North Platte State Fish Hatchery. <br />In addition, Central maintains dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in Lake Ogallala at adequate <br />levels for fish by discharging Lake McConaughy water through the Kingsley hydroplant <br />Howell - Bunger bypass valve for aeration, at the expense of hydroelectric generation. An <br />instantaneous DO state water quality standard of 3.0 parts per million (ppm) and a 7 -day <br />average of 4.3 ppm are observed from July to October. To satisfy an instantaneous standard <br />of 3.0 ppm, Central maintains a mean daily DO level of at least 4.0 ppm. <br />Most of Central's Project No. 1417 lands are open to the public, and almost all of Central's <br />property surrounding Lake McConaughy is leased by Central to the NGPC for recreational <br />or wildlife purposes. Included are 6,244 acres at the west end of Lake McConaughy leased <br />to NGPC for wildlife management. Acreage at Cottonwood Canyon, Box Elder, Jeffrey <br />Reservoir, and Elwood Reservoir is also leased to NGPC for wildlife management. Project <br />lands at Jeffrey Reservoir, Johnson Lake, Gallagher Lake, and other smaller areas are <br />similarly leased to NGPC for recreational use. Land leased to NGPC is used for a variety of <br />recreational activities including boating, fishing, canoeing, camping, hunting, and nature <br />2 -7 <br />