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OMAHA
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OmahaRiverFront.com
- RIVER NEWS
In a surprising announcement, Nebraska has now
joined five other states in endorsing an experimental change to the
flow of the Missouri River.
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other five states that support a demonstration project that will
modestly alter dam releases over the next 10 years are Kansas,
South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. The only two
states that oppose the proposal are Iowa and Missouri.
The idea behind the experiment is to see what impact the changes
have on the recovery of endangered species without committing to
the changes permanently. It will also monitor how these changes
affect farmers, power companies and others who depend on the river.
This marks the first time either Nebraska or Kansas has endorsed
any flow changes. At the same time, Congress is attempting to
establish a program that will compensate landowners and others
damaged by the flow adjustments. Some farmers have already had to
deal with flooding and drainage problems on fields along the river.
The changes will undoubtedly also affect how some dams produce
electricity in the summer. About 50 Nebraska towns get a portion of
their power from the dams. Barge owners will be told they have to
carry lighter loads in order for them to still be able to navigate,
marina owners will need to do some extensive dredging, and the city
of Omaha should have major concerns as to how this will affect
their riverfront development. 
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