The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District is a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska organized under public power and irrigation district laws of Nebraska passed in 1933. Central was created to enable the people of south-central Nebraska to develop the state’s irrigation and electric power potential.
Central delivers irrigation water to more than 113,000 acres on the south side of the Platte River between North Platte and Minden and also provides supplemental water from Lake McConaughy (Central’s main storage reservoir) to irrigation projects serving more than 110,000 acres along the North Platte and Platte Rivers.
Central generates electricity for homes, farms and industry at four hydroplants, one at Kingsley Dam and three on Central’s Supply Canal.
Recreation is another benefit of Central’s hydro-irrigation project. Nebraskans and visiting vacationers enjoy the excellent fishing, boating, swimming, camping and other recreational opportunities provided by Lake McConaughy, Lake Ogallala, Johnson Lake and many other small lakes along the Supply Canal.
Central’s system of canals and laterals also provides groundwater recharge that helps stabilize groundwater supplies for irrigation, municipal and industrial uses.
The project also provides habitat for many species of fish and wildlife, a result of Central’s active role in creating and preserving habitat in the Platte River Valley.