Niobrara, Lower Platte, and Kansas River Basin
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Niobrara, Lower Platte, and Kansas River Basin Calendar Year 2016 Summary of Actual Operations and Calendar Year 2017 Annual Operating Plans U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation Great Plains Region Table of Contents SYNOPSIS ................................................................................................................................................ 1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 1 2016 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Climatic Conditions ............................................................................................................................... 1 Storage Reservoirs ................................................................................................................................. 2 Water Service ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Fish and Wildlife and Recreation Benefits ............................................................................................ 4 2017 Outlook .......................................................................................................................................... 5 2016 HEADLINES ................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of This Report........................................................................................................................... 6 Operational Responsibilities .................................................................................................................. 6 Tables and Exhibits ................................................................................................................................ 7 Water Supply .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Reservoir Operations .............................................................................................................................. 7 Major Features ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Constructed by Reclamation .................................................................................................................. 7 Constructed and Operated by the Corps of Engineers ........................................................................... 8 Irrigation and Reclamation Districts ...................................................................................................... 8 Fish and Wildlife .................................................................................................................................... 8 Municipal Water .................................................................................................................................... 8 State of Colorado Division of Wildlife .................................................................................................. 9 State of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) .............................................. 9 Power Interference Considerations ........................................................................................................ 9 Environmental Considerations ............................................................................................................... 9 Republican River Compact – Kansas v. Nebraska ................................................................................. 9 Republican River Basin Study ............................................................................................................. 10 Niobrara River Basin Study ................................................................................................................. 11 Emergency Management ...................................................................................................................... 11 Public Safety Reviews.......................................................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER II - NIOBRARA AND LOWER PLATTE RIVER BASINS ......................................... 12 Mirage Flats Project in Nebraska ......................................................................................................... 12 General ............................................................................................................................................. 12 2016 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 13 2017 Outlook .................................................................................................................................... 14 Ainsworth Unit, Sandhills Division in Nebraska ................................................................................. 14 i General ............................................................................................................................................. 14 2016 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 15 2017 Outlook .................................................................................................................................... 15 North Loup Division in Nebraska ........................................................................................................ 16 General ............................................................................................................................................. 16 2016 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 16 2017 Outlook .................................................................................................................................... 17 CHAPTER III - REPUBLICAN RIVER BASIN ................................................................................ 18 Armel Unit, Upper Republican Division in Colorado .......................................................................... 18 General ............................................................................................................................................. 18 2016 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 18 2017 Outlook .................................................................................................................................... 19 Frenchman Unit, Frenchman-Cambridge Division in Nebraska .......................................................... 19 General ............................................................................................................................................. 19 2016 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 19 2017 Outlook .................................................................................................................................... 20 Meeker-Driftwood, Red Willow, and Cambridge Units, Frenchman-Cambridge Division in Nebraska ............................................................................................................................ 20 General ............................................................................................................................................. 20 2016 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 20 2017 Outlook .................................................................................................................................... 22 Almena Unit, Kanaska Division in Kansas .......................................................................................... 22 General ............................................................................................................................................. 22 2016 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 22 2017 Outlook .................................................................................................................................... 23 Franklin, Superior-Courtland, and Courtland Units, Bostwick Division in Nebraska and Kansas ...... 23 General ............................................................................................................................................. 23 Bostwick Division - Harlan County Lake Operations 2016 Summary ................................................ 24 Bostwick Division - Nebraska 2016 Summary .................................................................................... 25 Bostwick Division - Kansas 2016 Summary........................................................................................ 25 Bostwick Division