J2 Regulating Reservoir Project

J2 regulating Reservoir Concept The J2 Reservoir would be on the river-side of the Phelps County Canal. Excesses would be used to fill the reservoir. Water that currently flows out the J2 return would be routed through the reservoir to provide hydrocycling benefits. Water source = excess flows Total storage area of 15400 AF Two-cell concept allows for flexibility in operations (hydrocycling during irrigation) Located close to upstream end of associated habitat Meeting target flows Increasing SDHF releases - Detailed operations analysis shows potential score of 40,000 AFY plus hydrocycling mitigation benefits Platte River CNPPID Diversion J2 Return J2 Regulating Reservoir J2 Phelps County Canal

J2 Reservoir Purpose Regulate J2 Hydro Releases Beneficially manage reservoir releases for the project participants

Important Project Points Project will not create “NEW” water Project will not affect Supply Canal diversions Project will not affect irrigation deliveries Minor changes to Supply Canal operations J2 Hydro timing Johnson Lake operations No planned recreational benefits

Participants Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Twin Platte NRD Tri-Basin NRD Central Platte NRD Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District

Location Northwest Phelps County Downstream of J2 Hydropower Plant Between the Phelps Canal and Platte River

RIVER ROAD BERTRAND HWY

Preliminary Design 2 cells 1,000 land acres 15,000 acre feet capacity Clay liner and drains Soil cement slope protection Inlets on Phelps Canal Outlets to Platte River

Operations CNPPID will be owner/operator Route water to reservoirs through Phelps Canal Regulate J2 Hydro releases Retime excess flows River fluctuations Irrigation demand

Schedule Completed work Moving forward Many years of study and investigations 2+ years of feasibility-level design work Operating agreement signed in July 2013 Moving forward 2-3 years of design and permitting 2 years of construction starting in 2015-2016

Funding $75 million estimated cost CNPPID pays 5%, up to $2.5 million Remainder is split PRRIP 75% NDNR 25%

Project Benefits CNPPID PRRIP NDNR Increased generation efficiency Smooth river fluctuations PRRIP Reduction to target flow shortages Short Duration High Flow (SDHF) events NDNR Offset for post 1997 groundwater depletions to stream flows

Program’s Water Plan J2 Regulating Reservoir works toward all three Address New Activities State and Federal Depletion Plans Address Existing Activities Reduce deficits to USFWS Target Flows Flows for testing river management strategies Assists in Short Duration High Flow (SDHF) J2 Regulating Reservoir works toward all three

Addressing New Activities 3 States and Federal Depletions Plans Handles post 1997 depletions Not counted toward the Program’s water action plan goals – replacing impacts from new activities Important element of the Program; not the focus of this presentation

Addressing Existing Activities Reducing Deficits to FWS Target Flows by average annual of 130,000 to 150,000 AFY Handles depletions existing before 1997 3 Initial Projects: Tamarack I (CO), Pathfinder Modification (WY), and Lake McConaughy Environmental Account (NE) credited 80,000 AFY New water conservation/supply projects need 50,000 to 70,000 AFY Reduction to USFWS deficits to target flows (AVG/WET/DRY pattern) 3 Initial Projects underway and on schedule Tamarack I – reregulating water so times of excess flows at the state line (but D/S of last Colo diversion) can be used to return at times of shortage; net accretion of 12,000 AF Pathfinder Modification – reservoir improvements allowing additional storage under original 1904 storage right and yielding 34,000 AF in an environmental account Environmental Account in Lake Mac from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing for power Current pulse study of 5,000 cfs for 3 days

USFWS Target Flows and Retiming Excesses

Water Acquisition Retime excesses Acquire by lease or purchase Storage Acquire by lease or purchase Transfer from agricultural use to environmental use Water Management Incentives Reduce CU and increase return flows

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