Ricketts "Windshield Survey" of Canal Dips into Colorado

Sept. 9, 2022, 5 p.m. ·

Director of Natural Resources Tom Riley, Governor Pete Ricketts, Speaker Mike Hilgers and Attorney General Doug Peterson on canal tour Tuesday (Photo Nebraska governor's office)
Director of Natural Resources Tom Riley, Governor Pete Ricketts, Speaker Mike Hilgers and Attorney General Doug Peterson on canal tour Tuesday (Photo Nebraska governor's office)

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Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts took what his office is calling a “windshield survey” this week, including a swing into Colorado, along the route of a proposed canal that would bring water from Colorado to Nebraska.

The canal Ricketts has proposed would take water from the South Platte River near Ovid, Colorado into Nebraska, where it could be stored in reservoirs and used later. Construction on the canal began in the 1890s. It was later abandoned. But a 1923 interstate compact with Colorado says Nebraska can still build it.

Ricketts proposed doing just that in January, at an estimated cost of half a billion dollars. The Legislature approved just over $50 million for a cost/benefit study and possible purchase of options on land.

In July, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis visited the area in Colorado where remnants of the 1890 project are still visible. At the time, the Sterling Journal Advocate newspaper reported, Polis said “We think Nebraskans will come to their senses, and realize it’s a big boondoggle.”

On Tuesday, Ricketts toured possible routes of the canal he’s proposed, including, his office says, parts in Colorado. A spokesperson said Ricketts did not meet with any Colorado officials.

In a written statement after the trip, Ricketts said current drought conditions in Nebraska show the state needs the canal. In a written statement, he said, quote “Much of the state is in drought. This visit reinforced the need for us to protect every drop of South Platte River water we can. The Perkins County Canal is essential for this purpose.”

The statement went on to say, quote, “We are continuing to dialog regularly with our counterparts in Colorado.”

Nebraska Public Media News asked Colorado State Engineer Kevin Rein Friday morning for his state’s perspective on that dialogue, but had not heard back by Friday afternoon.