8 | Destination Elwood/Johnson Lake 2024
the history of Johnson Lake, Nebraska
An Abridged History of Johnson Lake by Jeff Buettner, Government & Public Relations Manager, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District The area now covered by Johnson Lake was once a low-lying basin surrounded by gently sloping hills. The land, used mostly for pasturing livestock, was dotted with a few structures, including a rural school house (known as the Antelope School) and a couple farmsteads. The construction of The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s huge irrigation and hydroelectric project -- anchored by Kingsley Dam and Lake McConaughy and spanning Nebraska from Keith County to Adams County-- began in 1936 and would change the landscape in the area. During the surveying process that preceded construction, Central’s engineers determined that a site southeast of Lexington was ideally suited for construction of a regulating reservoir and two hydroplants.
Construction of the dam on the south side of the basin began in 1939 and was completed in 1940. Soon after, water from Lake McConaughy was diverted from the Platte River below the city of North Platte into Central’s 75.6-milelong Supply Canal and the process of filling Johnson Lake for the first time began. When full, the lake covered 2,230 surface acres within 13 miles of shoreline and held almost 50,000 acrefeet of water (enough water to cover 50,000 acres with 12 inches of water). In places, the water reached depths of more than 50 feet. The lake was named for George E. Johnson, Central’s chief engineer. Johnson played a vital role in the promotion and design of the project from 1915 until its approval in 1935. He then became chief engineer and general manager of the project during its construction and subsequent operation. The lake that bears his name is an important component of Central’s project. As a regulating reservoir for the Johnson No. 1 and Johnson No. 2 (J-1 and J-2) Hydroplants, the lake converts
SERVING DAWSON COUNTY SINCE1960
2 Lakeview Acres Dr 14, Johnson Lake, NE 68937 Restaurant • 308-785-4031 | Marina • 308-785-4032 info@thenauticalrose.com Follow us on Social Media nautical-rose nauticalrosemarina Nautical Rose
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