Nebraska Reservoirs

LAKE McCONAUGHY

Storage of water in the largest lake in Nebraska began in 1941, and seepage losses caused water-level rises of as much as 60 feet in nearby observation wells.  The large amount of seepage occurs because Lake McConaughly is located in the Sandhills thus high flow rates of groundwater can occur in pure sand.

SHERMAN RESERVOIR

Some water-level rises of up to 53 feet have been found around the Sherman Lake area.  The water-level rises in this area are the result of seepage from Sherman Lake, irrigation canals, and deep percolation of irrigation water applied to crops.   Sherman Lake located on the southeast edge of the Sandhills thus the ground is predominately sand which allows high flow rates of groundwater to occur.

MERRIT RESERVOIR

Some water-level rises of up to 40 feet have been found around the Merrit Reservoir area.  The water-level rises in this area are the result of seepage from Merrit lake, and irrigation canals.  Merrit Reservoir is also located in the Sandhills to high flow rates of groundwater can occur.  There are some hay pastures located east of Merrit that have been hayed for years and years but can no longer be reach because of standing water.  The water table has rose high enough in areas to flood vital hay pastures on Ranches.  Ranchers have lost thousands of acres of pastureland because of this increase of groundwater.