Nebraska's largest dam in need of multimillion-dollar resurfacing project
90-year-old Kingsley Dam is safe, but repairs are needed
90-year-old Kingsley Dam is safe, but repairs are needed
90-year-old Kingsley Dam is safe, but repairs are needed
Nebraska's largest dam, Kingsley Dam on Lake McConaughy near Ogallala, is not in any danger of failure.
However, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation officials say the 90-year-old structure needs a major resurfacing project to keep it safe in the future.
"We're in good shape this year. We were about 60% of capacity," said Kingsley Dam foreman Nathan Nielsen.
Nielsen scaled down the 50-foot face of the dam to show KETV what is causing him concern in the protective riprap.
"That material is dropped down. There's some exposed smaller, smaller grain material up above," Nielsen said.
The damage was caused in 2021 and 2022 by sustained high winds and waves when water levels at Lake McConaughy were considerably higher.
"You don't want to leave it that way. You need to you need to get it repaired so that you're not moving material. That's that's the goal. You don't want to be moving material on your dam," Nielsen said.
CNPPI District general manager Devin Brundage said the structure is safe.
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However, he said recent engineering studies indicate that a total resurfacing of the slop protection is needed, which would be about 40 football fields.
"We would like to replace the dam face across a large portion of the dam, bringing it up to date with today's engineering standards and make sure it's ready to serve Nebraska for the next 100 years," Brundage said.
The cost is estimated at $100 million to $200 million and could take up to a year and a half to complete.
Brundage said the CNPPI District Board believes a total fix is more cost-effective than replacing just the damaged areas.
"That could be $20 to $30 million. And what happens in the next 10 years if we have to do more strips," Brundage said.
He said they are working with Nebraska's federal delegation on a bill.
"That could provide an opportunity about 30% of the payment toward infrastructure like this," Brundage said.
But it will likely fall back on electric and irrigation customers.
"It is a challenge, and we're not a large district, but we prioritize the safety," Brundage said
Brundage said the reservoir and dam pump over a billion dollars into the state's economy annually in recreation, power, irrigation, flood control and water for cities including Lincoln and Omaha.
The recent impact of extreme weather in eastern Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota is definitely on the minds of officials here.
"Our infrastructure has to be maintained; it's important," Brundage said.