I want to begin my article this week by providing a fuller explanation of the water flows discussed in last week’s article regarding the Perkins County Canal project.

I had two constituents reach out to note that most of the water flowing to the Gerald Gentlemen Station over the last several years has come from the North Platte River flows out of Lake McConaughy. This has always been one source of water since the plant was built. However, there are many demands on the North Platte River flows into Lake McConaughy, including irrigation, recreation, and environmental needs. In dry years, the lake can and has been dangerously low. The Korty Canal was constructed to divert water from the South Platte River to the Gerald Gentlemen plant. The two rivers and the dam all contribute to keeping the cooling pond full.

Many have witnessed that there has been very little, if any, flow from the South Platte River during the summer months. This is due to Colorado not honoring their obligation to allow a minimum of 120 cubic feet per second (cfs) to flow into Nebraska. It is only a matter of time before the winter flows will be gone as well. That is why the Compact is so important today. If the Perkins County Canal is completed as planned, the project will include building a canal from near Julesburg, Colorado, into Keith County, Nebraska. The project will include a reservoir approximately the size of the Calamus Reservoir and a smaller holding pond like Lake Ogallala. The canal would then extend back to the South Platte River.

If full, the new reservoir would hold enough water to serve the Gerald Gentlemen Station’s needs and provide much of the irrigation needs served by Lake McConaughy today. At the rate Colorado is building on the Front Range, it will soon consume all the water year-round entering the South Platte River. Failure to force Colorado to honor the Compact would be a mistake in many ways.

The U.S. Supreme Court will likely rule on Nebraska’s lawsuit that could confirm the ultimate outcome of the legal disputes. I would hate to surrender without a fight and look back 20 years from now and regret that decision.

I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge that on Thursday this week, we will celebrate the birth of Christ. Of all the holidays, Christmas is my favorite, not just because of its significance, but because it brings back some of my special childhood memories. As many of you know, I was raised with four brothers and three sisters (one additional sister died in infancy). We were raised on a farm in a three-bedroom house. My brother Myron and I shared a twin bed, and my two older brothers shared a full-sized bed. The house was heated by a centrally located propane stove. This ensured that all the bedrooms were cold in the wintertime, but it was the only way to provide heat.

Despite having limited funds, my parents loved all of us kids and made every effort to provide for all of our “needs.” There was no health or dental insurance, but we had food on the table, mainly from the chickens we raised and the garden. We also bought day-old bread from the bakery in Hastings and froze it in the deep freeze. You could toast it, add milk gravy, and have a meal; if you were getting really fancy, we’d add a cut-up hot dog. We also used milk and eggs with the bread to make French Toast.

Christmas was special because mom and dad made certain that we participated in the church Christmas program, complete with learning whatever our part was that year. At the program, we each got an apple, some mixed nuts, and candy. But the real treat was going to bed on Christmas Eve with the excitement of waking up on Christmas morning. There were always gifts under the tree, regardless of the year we had on the farm. Many gifts were basic clothing, but they were wrapped and appreciated. My only regret today is how much we took for granted my parents’ sacrifice to provide a fun Christmas. With both my parents gone, I only wish I could have thanked them again for loving us and doing their best to provide for us.

I have always said that “I would not trade my childhood for anything, but I would not want to raise my children that way.” In the end, they taught me the value of a work ethic, appreciating what you have, and caring about those around you. And most of all, knowing that God has a plan for you.

Merry Christmas!

It is a pleasure serving as your State Senator. I have enjoyed the challenge and will continue to do my best to serve the interests of District 42. Please continue to reach out to me about issues important to you at mjacobson@leg.ne.gov or 402-471-2729.