This two-day post-conference tour – organized by the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce – features the story of the North Platte Project from the time it enters the state of Nebraska and where it goes from there. During the first day, the tour will visit the north side of the river to Lake McConaughy and Kingsley Dam. On the second day, we will tour the Pumpkin Creek Basin, discussing the geology of the area and look at infrastructure facilities on the south side of the river.
Highlights will include stops at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center to discuss irrigation management research; a stop at Lake Minatare to discuss the Pathfinder system and the important role that the inland lakes provide to our water system; a stop at 21st Century Equipment Training Center in Bridgeport to discuss irrigation management technology; a discussion of industrial uses of water at Walther Farms Potato Facility in Lisco; a tour of the Kingsley Dam Power Plant and presentation at the Water Interpretive Center at Lake McConaughy; a discussion of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP); a discussion of South Platte and Lodgepole Creek issues in Sidney; a tour of the Pumpkin Creek Basin, including a stop at Coulter Ranch to discuss livestock uses of water and a history of legal issues in the basin; a stop at the Wildcat Hills Visitors Center to discuss the geology of the area; a tour of the Gering Valley Flood Control Project to discuss infrastructure needs in flood control; a stop at the Farmer's Irrigation District Diversion Dam to discuss its operation; and finally, a tour of Liley Fish Farm to discuss aquaculture.