Kingsley Dam And Lake Ogallala
Kingsley Dam, located in western Nebraska, is a hydroelectric dam situated approximately three miles north of Ogallala, a small city in Keith County, Nebraska. Constructed between 1935 and 1941 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Kingsley Dam is an essential component of the Platte River Project, which aims to provide irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control for the South Platte River Basin. The dam is an earthen and concrete gravity dam, spanning 3,125 feet in length and standing 164 feet high.
The primary purpose of Kingsley Dam is to create Lake Ogallala, a reservoir that stores approximately 81,200 acre-feet of water when full. The lake is named after the nearby city of Ogallala, which itself is derived from the Oglala Sioux tribe, meaning 'scatter one's own' or 'go here and there'. The lake plays a vital role in providing irrigation water to local farmers, particularly those producing sugar beets and alfalfa in the Keith County area. During periods of high water flow, the dam's spillway divert excess water into a drainage canal, ensuring that downstream areas are protected from potential flooding.
Lake Ogallala is an essential component of the ecotone of the Sandhills and the High Plains of western Nebraska, and as a result, supports an impressive array of wildlife. Among the many species of birds documented in and around the lake are grebes, ducks, and more than 20 species of shorebirds, including the Burrowing Owl and the Upland Sandpiper. Both species are considered species of 'Special Concern' by the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. Meanwhile, Lake Ogallala and the surrounding area are also part of a larger Sandhills wetland area supporting local agriculture.
The conservation efforts taken to preserve Lake Ogallala have been consistently growing over the years. Among them, the Izaak Walton League and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources have collaborated with Keith County and the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program to resolve some issues regarding sedimentation of the lake. Thanks to their combined efforts, we are witnessing effective sediment reduction strategies being implemented.
Kingsley Dam and Lake Ogallala present all the modern water management techniques coupled with wildlife management expertise. The efforts taken by the state and other relevant federal agencies have made the place a popular destination for visitors seeking a mix of nature, ecology, and technical competence.
Its importance cannot be overstated within the ecology sphere and Nebraskans, in general, can appreciate the local and international environmental impact it contributes.
The combined human and artificial engineering feats working in unison that manage this waterway continue to inspire further debate as policymakers create environmental narratives pertinent to both tourists visiting and citizens.
Since this dam is a principal piece of every Nebraskan discussion about ecology, there remains an elevated interest in preserving and discussing effective management of Lake Ogallala, a natural symbol pivotal in ecology conservation in modern times.
The primary purpose of Kingsley Dam is to create Lake Ogallala, a reservoir that stores approximately 81,200 acre-feet of water when full. The lake is named after the nearby city of Ogallala, which itself is derived from the Oglala Sioux tribe, meaning 'scatter one's own' or 'go here and there'. The lake plays a vital role in providing irrigation water to local farmers, particularly those producing sugar beets and alfalfa in the Keith County area. During periods of high water flow, the dam's spillway divert excess water into a drainage canal, ensuring that downstream areas are protected from potential flooding.
Lake Ogallala is an essential component of the ecotone of the Sandhills and the High Plains of western Nebraska, and as a result, supports an impressive array of wildlife. Among the many species of birds documented in and around the lake are grebes, ducks, and more than 20 species of shorebirds, including the Burrowing Owl and the Upland Sandpiper. Both species are considered species of 'Special Concern' by the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. Meanwhile, Lake Ogallala and the surrounding area are also part of a larger Sandhills wetland area supporting local agriculture.
The conservation efforts taken to preserve Lake Ogallala have been consistently growing over the years. Among them, the Izaak Walton League and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources have collaborated with Keith County and the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program to resolve some issues regarding sedimentation of the lake. Thanks to their combined efforts, we are witnessing effective sediment reduction strategies being implemented.
Kingsley Dam and Lake Ogallala present all the modern water management techniques coupled with wildlife management expertise. The efforts taken by the state and other relevant federal agencies have made the place a popular destination for visitors seeking a mix of nature, ecology, and technical competence.
Its importance cannot be overstated within the ecology sphere and Nebraskans, in general, can appreciate the local and international environmental impact it contributes.
The combined human and artificial engineering feats working in unison that manage this waterway continue to inspire further debate as policymakers create environmental narratives pertinent to both tourists visiting and citizens.
Since this dam is a principal piece of every Nebraskan discussion about ecology, there remains an elevated interest in preserving and discussing effective management of Lake Ogallala, a natural symbol pivotal in ecology conservation in modern times.
