NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- According to federal officials, “failure is not an option” in regards to the Kingsley Dam. At the annual Emergency Action Plan meeting hosted by the Nebraska Public Power District and the Central Nebraska Public Power District, emergency action steps were discussed in the event of a failure at the Kingsley Dam, Lake Maloney Reservoir, Sutherland Reservoir and other area high risk locations. According to officials, in the unlikely event that a full scale breach would occur at Kingsley Dam, the city of North Platte would have 11-12 hours to evacuate. After that time, the North Platte River would flood to 20 feet or more. At the peak of this summer’s flood, the river flooded to around 8 feet.  The city would be inundated with water of varying depths.  However, both agencies regularly inspect all areas and action plans are in place in case of any type of calamity.
The forecast for spring flooding was also addressed at the meeting. It is still unclear to what extent the North Platte River will rise in 2012 as a result of upriver releases and snow run-off. Factors such as Wyoming basin and Lake McConaughy carry-over storage and La Nina weather patterns indicate a possible repeat of last year, perhaps to lesser severity. It still remains to be seen how the snowfall this winter will impact the situation, as well.