KEARNEY, Neb. — Nebraska lawmakers displayed their commitment to and confidence in the fruition of the Perkins County Canal last week as they voted down a proposal to use some of the more than $600 million set aside for the massive project to help plug a hole in the state budget.
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Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney organized an informational meeting to update residents in western Nebraska about the planned Perkins County Canal.Â
The above map shows Nebraska's preferred Perkins County Canal route from northeast Colorado. It would leave the South Platte River near Ovid, as required by the 1923 South Platte River Compact, enter Nebraska in southeast Deuel County and run through much of Keith County before rejoining the river southeast of Roscoe.Â
Many of the approximately 140 people at last Tuesday night's Perkins County Canal open house in Julesburg, Colorado, were in their seats an hour before U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staffers began their public comments.Â
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2026
People bow their heads for a moment of silence during a candlelight mat ceremony for former student and instructor Noah Tietjens at Martial Arts International in Bellevue, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, was killed Sunday when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.
People bow their heads for a moment of silence during a candlelight mat ceremony for former student and instructor Noah Tietjens at Martial Arts International in Bellevue, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, was killed Sunday when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.
Ahmad Nazar, owner of Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine at 4646 Dodge St. poses for a portrait in his restaurant in Omaha, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
A sign hangs from the barriers surrounding the 16th Street sinkhole in Omaha, on Monday, March 2, 2026. Two vehicles fell into a sinkhole last Tuesday on Pacific Street just east of 67th Street. The 16th Street sinkhole that formed in January 2025 between Harney and Farnam Streets — after swallowing a garbage truck — remains unrepaired, a yearlong closure that has drawn frustration from downtown businesses and residents.
Workers dry off the seats before the first inning a college baseball game between Nebraska and Omaha at Hawks Field in Lincoln on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Nebraska's Dylan Carey (15) slides back into first base during the second inning a college baseball game against Omaha at Hawks Field in Lincoln on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Omaha's Drew Borner (24) throws to first base after forcing out Nebraska's Jeter Worthley (0) at second base during the fifth inning a college baseball game at Hawks Field in Lincoln on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Norris' Ray Wegner (30) and Blair's Madeline Chikos (10) dive for the loose ball during the second half of a Class B Nebraska state girls basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Amherst's Lily Vavra (2) goes up for a 3-pointer against Sutton's Jadlynn Kinney (14) during the second half of a Class D-1 Nebraska state girls basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Lincoln North Star's Korbyn Pierce (22) dives for the ball between Millard West's Londyn Whitney (3) and Kylee Millard (5) during the second half of a Class A Nebraska state girls basketball tournament semifinal game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Gretna East head coach Wade Coulter reacts after a basket against Norris during the first half of a Class B Nebraska state girls basketball tournament semifinal game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Omaha North's Himayajo Metoyer (24) walks off the court after Omaha North lost to Lincoln North Star during the Class A Nebraska state girls basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Dundy County-Stratton celebrates defeating Wynot in the Class D2 Nebraska state girls basketball tournament semifinal game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Dundy County-Stratton celebrates a foul call late during a Class D2 Nebraska state girls basketball tournament semifinal game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Dundy County-Stratton's Emily Schack (11) and Wynot’s Kenna Oligmueller (12) fight for control of the ball during a Class D2 Nebraska state girls basketball tournament championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The Malcolm bench celebrates a three-pointer during the Class C1 Nebraska state girls basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Jacob Stacy, left, helps Ryan Herrick, 9, with his bike at Community Bike Project of Omaha in Omaha, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
West Point Guardian Angels CC's Luke Guenther (1) fouls Deshler's Peighton Henry (23) during a Class D2 Nebraska boys state basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Deshler's Hutch Vacek (24) fouls West Point Guardian Angels CC's Isaac Guenther (4) during a Class D2 Nebraska boys state basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Lincoln High's Buay Jock (15) and Omaha Westside's Donnie Barfield, Jr. (5) fight for a rebound during a Class A Nebraska boys state basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Lincoln High's Buay Jock (15) and Omaha Westside's Emre Gedik (3) fight for a loose ball during a Class A Nebraska boys state basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Lincoln High's Buay Jock (15) and Omaha Westside's Emre Gedik (3) fight for a loose ball during a Class A Nebraska boys state basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Lincoln High's Jaxyn Cruse (0) and Omaha Westside's Emre Gedik (3) fight for a loose ball during a Class A Nebraska boys state basketball tournament first round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
