South Platte River floodwaters from Colorado diverted into Nebraska canals

[Omaha Steve]

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DAVID HENDEE/THE WORLD-HERALD

Water tumbles through the Western Canal southwest of Ogallala on Thursday. State and local water officials are diverting high flows from the flooding South Platte River into regional canals to help mitigate flood damage and to help recharge aquifers under the canals.

http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/south-platte-river-floodwaters-from-colorado-diverted-into-nebraska-canals/article_0737efb0-fa95-11e4-bee4-4f6e35cf7e04.html

POSTED: THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 6:57 PM
By David Hendee / World-Herald staff writer

OGALLALA, Neb. — Some South Platte River floodwater from Colorado is being diverted into Nebraska irrigation canals to help minimize flooding and recharge aquifers.

The river, which usually carries meager flows out of Colorado, is carrying upwards of 300 times more water than normal for this time of year.

The diversion projects were quickly set up in western and central Nebraska as the state prepared for the possibility of significant lowland flooding in Keith and Lincoln Counties, according to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

The river remains largely within its banks, though it is running full.

FULL story at link.