Columbus, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is preparing to return water to the Kearney Canal starting as early as next week. NPPD plans to start releasing water into the canal system beginning as early as Monday, April 8, and water will fill the canal over the course of several days.
“The canal is a great feature within Kearney and many people participate in activities along or downstream of the canal system and we want to make sure residents are aware water will soon start flowing through the system,” says NPPD Water Systems Maintenance Technician Mike Koubek. NPPD then plans to dewater the canal again in October, so Water Systems crews can conduct necessary maintenance on the system.
The canal, which runs along the western and southern sides of Kearney, is emptied every year before winter so crews can conduct maintenance activities. Water is typically returned to the canal in mid-April as the average temperatures begin to warm up.
The Kearney Canal is used for irrigation and feeds into the Kearney Hydro, a 1-megawatt hydro generation facility located near 15th Avenue and University Drive.
