NEBRASKA RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 20, 2025

Across the nation, the storage levels of various dams and reservoirs present a mixed picture, reflecting the diverse hydrological conditions that characterize the country's vast geography. In some regions, reservoirs are experiencing surpluses, while others are facing significant droughts, painting a complex tableau of water management challenges and priorities.

A notable surplus can be observed at Colorado's Granby Reservoir, where storage levels have surpassed averages by a considerable margin, touching 400,755 acre-ft against a typical 384,875.32 acre-ft. This can be indicative of higher-than-average snowpack melting or increased river flows, benefitting local water supply and possibly hydroelectric power generation. However, the situation is starkly different for Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico, where current storage is dramatically lower than average, currently at 138,842 acre-ft compared to an average of 829,569.15 acre-ft. This points to a potential crisis in water supply for irrigation and urban consumption, likely necessitating stringent conservation measures and possibly reflecting changes in precipitation patterns or allocations upstream.

Such disparities underscore the importance of adaptive water resource management to handle the hydrologic variability that affects reservoir and dam operations nationwide. For water management researchers and hydrologists, understanding these dynamics is crucial for planning, as it impacts everything from agriculture and municipal water supply to flood control and ecological preservation. Maintaining balance in reservoir levels is a dance with nature's unpredictability, emphasizing the need for robust data monitoring and responsive management strategies to safeguard against the extremes of droughts and surpluses.

Nebraska has several reservoirs and dams that serve the purpose of storing water for various uses such as irrigation, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation. Some of the major reservoirs in the state include Lake McConaughy, Merritt Reservoir, and Harlan County Reservoir. These reservoirs are fed by streams and rivers such as the North Platte River, the Niobrara River, and the Republican River. The hydrology of the area is primarily influenced by snowpack and mountain runoff from the Rocky Mountains. The state has experienced various drought conditions in recent years, which have affected the water levels in the reservoirs. In 2021, Lake McConaughy reached a record low level due to drought conditions. Seasonal trends show that the reservoirs typically experience higher water levels during the spring and early summer months due to snowmelt runoff. Overall, the reservoirs and dams in Nebraska play a crucial role in providing water for the state's agricultural industry and supporting its recreational activities.

Nebraska has several reservoirs and dams that serve the purpose of storing water for various uses such as irrigation, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation. Some of the major reservoirs in the state include Lake McConaughy, Merritt Reservoir, and Harlan County Reservoir. These reservoirs are fed by streams and rivers such as the North Platte River, the Niobrara River, and the Republican River. The hydrology of the area is primarily influenced by snowpack and mountain runoff from the Rocky Mountains. The state has experienced various drought conditions in recent years, which have affected the water levels in the reservoirs. In 2021, Lake McConaughy reached a record low level due to drought conditions. Seasonal trends show that the reservoirs typically experience higher water levels during the spring and early summer months due to snowmelt runoff. Overall, the reservoirs and dams in Nebraska play a crucial role in providing water for the state's agricultural industry and supporting its recreational activities.