Loup Generator — Fall 2020

GENERA OR
a publication of Loup Power District FALL 2020
LAKE BABCOCK
AMUSEMENT RESORT
Group developed lake’s recreation in late ’30s
Cabin cruiser makes a big splash in ’39
Protecting birds at Genoa Headworks

BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Chris Langemeier
Chairman
Ross Knott
First Vice Chairman
Alan Drozd
Second Vice Chairman
Steve Heesacker
Secretary
Dick Tooley
Treasurer
Rich Aerni
Robert Cerv
Jim Donoghue
Mike Fleming
Larry Zach
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Neal Suess
President/CEO
Walt Williams
Vice President,
Accounting & Finance/CFO
Todd Duren
Vice President,
Corporate Services
Korey Hobza
Vice President, Engineering
Dan Hellbusch
Vice President, Operations
The Loup Generator is
published quarterly as a
service for Loup employees,
families, friends and
associates.
For feedback, story ideas
and submissions, contact:
Stacy Wemhoff
Communications Coordinator
402-562-5711
swemhoff@loup.com
Electrical Safety:
Pet-Proof Your Home
Puppies and kittens are cute and curious.
The cute part can sometimes keep them
from getting into trouble, like when they
start chewing on a shoe. But cute won’t
help them if they begin to chew on or play
with electrical equipment— doing that can
put your pet in serious danger of injury or
death and create a shock or fire hazard
in the home. Spending a little time petproofing
your home will help you avoid a
pet-related accident.
• Make sure all plugs are inserted
completely into their wall sockets.
Small paws, noses and tongues can
easily find their way into the partially
exposed prongs.
• If your pet demonstrates an interest
in electrical cords, check the cords
frequently for signs of fraying and
replace any damaged cords immediately.
If you must leave your pet unsupervised,
make sure any loose electrical cords are
unplugged or tucked out of sight. If your
pet continues to seek them out, coat the
cords with bitter-tasting pet deterrent
available at your local pet store. If that
fails, you can wrap the cords in flexible
cable, or encase them in PVC. Some
stores also offer pet-proof cords that
serve the same purpose.
• Take special care during the holiday
season. Pets may be tempted to chew
on, or play with decorative light strands.
• Appliances near sinks and bathtubs
should only be plugged into outlets
equipped with ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) protection
in case an electrical appliance is knocked
into the water. If your cat enjoys playing
in the sink, make sure no electrical
appliances (like radios or curling irons)
are left unattended on the bathroom
counter.
• Lamps with exposed bulbs — especially
halogens — can reach very high
temperatures. Do not allow pets to play
near lamps. If the lamp is knocked over,
a fire could break out.
• Some pets, especially cats, will often
seek out warm, secluded spots in the
home. Do not allow your pet to hide
or sleep behind your computer, or TV
equipment where numerous electrical
connections are housed.
• If you have an aquarium, make sure you
create a drip loop on every electrical
cord that enters the tank. This will
prevent water from running down the
cord and into the electrical outlet. Stick
a cord clip on the wall just below the
outlet and thread the cord into the clip
to ensure the cord stays looped.
• If you have a fenced, outdoor area
for your dog, be mindful of any
underground electrical or cable lines
running through that area. Make sure
the lines are buried at appropriate
depths, especially if your dog likes to dig.
In the event of an electrical storm, bring
all pets indoors immediately.
If you think your pet may have suffered an
electrical shock, approach it with caution
to keep from being injured by the same
electrical danger, and to keep from being
bitten. Inspect the animal for injuries and
get your pet to an animal care center as
soon as possible.
Heed the precautions to keep
your playful pet and your
home safe.
— from safeelectricity.org
2 GENERATOR

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Covid-19 update: business
as usual is anything but
As we enter the fall season, the entire world is still wrestling with the impact of
the coronavirus and the Covid-19 pandemic. The District has responded in many
different ways to this pandemic.
Early on, the District closed its offices to the public, and went to half staffing most
days. This was done in order to limit contact between individuals and provide the
opportunity to keep the workplace clean. As the pandemic went on, the District
went back to full staffing, but still kept the public out of our buildings. Again, this
was done as a precaution to protect both employees and our customers.
Finally, in early July, the District reopened the offices to the outside public, with
some specific restrictions regarding traffic patterns for the public and meetings
with outside individuals. These restrictions are still in place today.
Many people have asked when things will get back to “normal.” I am not sure what
normal is, and I am not sure we will ever get back to the way it was prior to this
pandemic — at least not until a vaccine is developed and accessible to everyone.
by NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
District employees are continuing to go about their daily activities during this
pandemic, but it is definitely different. Most meetings are virtual, and I even
attended the American Public Power Association (APPA) annual convention
virtually. The APPA annual convention has always been a great convention for
Loup Power District. This allows our Board and management to meet with other
utility executives, as well as consultants and vendors, who provide products for the
District. Having this convention virtually was very different. Being unable to meet
people in person is very difficult for all of us.
District crews continue to work on numerous projects, and new construction
activity continues throughout the District’s service territory. This is one thing that
has amazed me during the pandemic — the construction just keeps on going. This
truly shows the mindset of individuals in Nebraska.
During the midst of the pandemic, the District also finalized the move into our new
Service Center in Columbus along Lost Creek Parkway. Many of you want to see
what this looks like, and we are planning an open house as soon as the pandemic
allows. The new Service Center has really helped the District and has improved our
response to customers’ needs, as well as improved the efficiency of the District as a
whole.
Everyone has responded to the pandemic in different ways, and the District is no
different. We will continue to respond as conditions warrant and continue to let the
public know about our plans. All of us at Loup Power District hope you and your
families continue to stay safe and be careful, as we do want to see and get back
together with you when this is over.
Until next time, be happy and stay safe!
FALL 2020 3

Ruthie’s
BIG SPLASH
THE
— Columbus Telegram, May 27, 1940
In 1939, Leonard Fleischer bought a boat from Chicago and
brought it south to Richland where it was reconditioned.
He named it Ruthie, after his soon-to-be wife, Ruth Schmid.
The boat was big news when it hit the waters of Lake Babcock
the following spring. It was, after all, one of the largest boats in
Nebraska. His sons, Len and Bud, were small children during its
heyday and remember only a few details.
“He would give rides for 25 cents a gallon or a gas coupon,”
said Len. “They were short of gas. He was a salesman and needed
gas for his car.”
His efforts to operate his cruiser began in March of 1940 when
he petitioned Loup President Harold Kramer for permission.
“I would like to ask permission from the Loup River Public
Power District to launch and keep on Lake Babcock for the
summer, a thirty-one foot cabin cruiser. I would also like to have
a private dock for loading and anchoring of a craft of this size,
which is greatly in need of this protection,” he wrote.
Loup told Leonard his request was approved in a letter dated
May 11, 1940. He signed a year-long permit “to operate motor
boat on Lake Babcock for commercial purpose” the next month
with the Lake Babcock Amusement Resort (more about this on page
6). The cost was $25.
Sometime in the early 1940s, the boat was requisitioned by
the United States Coast Guard for use in World War II where
it patrolled the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans. It came back
painted another color with mounting holes from a machine gun,
Len said. It was repainted and repaired once more.
Leonard received the boat back before 1944. The Loup Board
minutes from Aug. 4 that year state that he removed his boat
and housing from District property with the exception of a small
screened shelter. He requested permission to move that shelter to
higher ground off the south reservoir embankment. Permission
was granted.
The boat remained popular at the lake until the late 1940s
when his sons estimate he sold it.
4 GENERATOR

“
Troubles and bubbles notwithstanding,
Leonard Fleischer is going to stick it out on
Lake Babcock . . . It’s a matter of record that
the landlubber mariner hasn’t had clear sailing with his
craft. Not that “The Ruthie” isn’t seaworthy, because
she’s the acme in craft building for her size, but the
elements are another reckoning.
In the special building he has erected to house “The
Ruthie” when not in the water, Cap’n Fleischer has toiled
nearly every weekend for months on end fixing this, or
painting that.
Fleischer’s latest bitter pill came last Saturday night.
“The Ruthie” was anchored on the lake. A heavy wind
came up. Waves lashed against the craft in sufficient
force to crash the rudder so sharply against the side a few
boards were smashed . . .
Doggedly, the process of repair and cleaning out was
pursued this week, and Fleischer optimistically predicted
yesterday his erstwhile study craft will again dip its nose
into Lake Babcock ere another week is past.”
— Columbus Telegram, May 24, 1941
Opposite page: The Ruthie at
the Walter Schmid farm near
Richland where it was stored
and reconditioned before it
was taken to Lake Babcock.
Above: Leonard Fleischer’s
in-laws pose by the Ruthie
on the Loup canal bank.
Left: A Cabin Cruiser Ticket
from 1940.
Below: Fleischer’s permit to
operate The Ruthie on lake
Babcock.
FALL 2020 5

the WPA, the PWA and the Loup District have one master,
the people, and we should all be cooperating.”
He hoped that the WPA would reconsider and approve
the project. A few months later, Loup was accepting
sealed bids for coarse gravel and concrete riprap. The
project was financed and constructed under the terms of
Ttitle II of the National Industrial Recovery Act.
By January of 1938, 29 WPA laborers were working to
clear 1,000 feet of shoreline at the lake.
“Almost from the time when the
Loup River Public Power project was first proposed,
a vision began to take form in the minds of many
lovers of the out-of-doors in Columbus who began
mentally picturing a piscatorial, camping and picnicking
playground as a by-product of the huge undertaking.
“When plans for the power canal and reservoir were
announced, the vision began to
take more definite shape. These
visionaries with prophetic eye
could see a summer paradise at
Lake Babcock, the reservoir-tobe
almost within the city’s front
yard.”
This was the news on June
26, 1936, in The Columbus
Daily Telegram. There was one
big problem to making this
Columbus dream a reality — a
lack of money to do so.
So, it was suggested that “businessmen and sportsmen
organize their own voluntary project.” As an alternative,
portions of the shore could be leased and developed
privately.
In August of 1937, Loup Secretary and General
Manager Harold Kramer and his family spent a week at
Lake Okoboji. They came back with plenty of ideas.
“We have the advantage of benefiting by the
experiences of these other watering places,” he
said. “We start with a clean slate, and while our lake
is comparatively smaller, nevertheless, it has the
opportunity of becoming considerable of a spa in mid-
Nebraska.”
He told the Daily Telegram there were several
problems that needed to be addressed before any
development could occur.
The most important was lack of land to develop.
Kramer said District officials tried to acquire as
much land as possible. However, the Public Works
Administration (PWA) only allowed spending money for
the hydroelectric project and not recreation development.
The second problem was the lack of funds to
bring in gravel to create a beach. The Works Progress
Administration (WPA) had a plan to help with the project,
but was unable because of a rule preventing the WPA and
PWA from overlapping in one area.
“A lack of coordination existed which was regrettable
and which failed to bring an improvement to thousands
of people in this whole territory,” Kramer said. “After all,
6 GENERATOR
“From all over the eastern half
of Nebraska they come —
pleasure boat owners asking
for permission to sail their crafts
on the waters of Lake Babcock.”
— Columbus Telegram, May 13, 1939
Several boaters made headlines in the fall of 1938.
The first was the Gray Goose — the lake’s first
sailboat. The 10-foot boat was built by Leonard Miller
and Emil Marx in the basement of the Miller home.
They managed to get it out
of the basement and to the lake,
sailing two miles with “nary a
mishap” on Sept. 14.
The Gray Goose made news
again five days later when it
overturned and Leonard Miller
and Miss Bettijane Malony hung
on to the dinghy for more than a
half hour for help.
Next to make news was the
Kingfisher, another homemade
ship, built by Frederick Harris of
Monroe. It was built of mahogany, oak and cypress, and
was powered by a four-cyclinder Continental motor. It
measured 17 feet from stem to stern.
In February 1939, the Telegram reported that Loup was
planning to officially open the lake to pleasure boating
and possibly commercially operated boats.
“Boating has been permitted to this extent — that the
district, while not authorizing it, has not chased away
the several venturesome spirits who have launched small
boats on the surface of the lake.”
An estimated 1,300 visited Lake Babcock on Sunday,
May 21, 1939, to “watch the maneuverings of ‘sailors’
and the coursings of boats on the big lake.”
The District issued 106 permits to boat owners in 16
towns including Lincoln, Omaha and Bruning.
Development plans really started coming together by
June that year.
Herman Woerth received permission to sell live bait.
Frederic Harris got the first commercial boating permit
to sell rides in the Kingfisher. Refreshment stands were
in the works.
On June 8, 1939, the Lake Babcock Amusement Resort,

The Omaha World-Herald printed a picture
taken from the Ruthie on Lake Babcock.
The picture was also colorized and made
into postcards.
a non-profit association, was incorporated by 11 “publicspirited
Columbus men.” Their goal was to promote and
develop the recreational facilities of Lake Babcock.
“Since Lake Babcock came into
being, officials of the Loup River
Public Power district have been
‘stumped’ in figuring out some way
to develop it as a real resort center,
since, because of PWA regulations,
the district could not use any of its
funds on hand for that purpose,”
the Telegram stated.
All profits from the corporation’s
efforts would go back into
promoting the lake as a resort area.
On June 10, the Loup board
approved a lease granting exclusive
amusement privileges of the lake to
the corporation through July 5 for $1.
The corporation was already planning a Fourth of July
celebration to raise funds.
REGATTA DRAWS LARGE CROWD
An estimated 5,000 people attended the July 4th
celebration. The entrance fee was 40 cents for all
spectators over the age of 12. Fifteen boat owners offered
rides on the lake for 25 cents.
There were refreshment and novelty stands.
The highlight was the races, with boats from
Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. They topped speeds of 40
miles per hour.
The event also included a bait
casting contest and surf board
demonstrations.
A 46-piece band featuring high
school graduates from several towns in
the Loup valley played for an hour.
Loup’s diving crew gave a
demonstration, with Bruce Albert in a
diving suit and Walter Phillips guiding
him.
“Albert descended again to the floor
of the lake, and presented something
of an unexpected thrill for spectators
when he tangled his air line for several
minutes around a pier post, and was nearly struck by a
floating log barricade in front of the speed dock,” noted
the Telegram the following day.
“With Phillips directing his course, Albert untangled
himself without mishap, and made another journey into
the lake.”
The lake continued to draw as many as 500 spectators
and visitors on the weekends through September 1939.
— on page 8
FALL 2020 7

The amusement resort hoped to
secure a long-term lease for Lake
Babcock’s shoreline.
But that proved more difficult than
Loup officials and the corporation
anticipated.
On Dec. 26, 1939, the Loup
Board approved a 50-year lease
for the Corporation, costing $1 per
year. It granted exclusive use and
development of Lake Babcock and
adjacent lands through Jan. 1, 1989.
The board had to rescind that lease
a couple of months later because the
PWA refused approval of the contract,
insisting that Loup directors should
retain direct supervision and control
of the lake.
In the end, the Board leased the
lake to the Resort for one year,
ending January 1, 1941.
It was around this time that a local
Sea Scouts unit organized.
Sea Scouts is a Boy Scout program
designed to improve boating skills
and safety. The Columbus unit, called
a ship, had 10 boys and young men.
“Columbus Sea Scouts will be
particularly favored because of the
proximity of Lake Babcock as an
ideal base of operations,” Skipper
William Haney told the Telegram in
November 1939.
They did, indeed, become integral
to Lake Babcock’s recreation.
“Arrangements were made
to have the Sea Scouts maintain
the concession stand at the lake
during the summer months. Their
duties would be to maintain a 24
hour service, protect the District’s
property and boats of customers.
8 GENERATOR
Administer First Aid in cases of
emergency, and issue boating
permits at the Lake,” read the Loup
board minutes from July 10, 1940.
In May 1940, the Yacht Inn opened
at Lake Babcock. Sea Scouts Kenneth
Mueller and Fred Raymond were the
operators.
“Through an arrangement with
the Lake Babcock Amusement resort,
the SS Half Moon, Columbus Sea
Scout ship, has secured use of the
residence along the lake shore and
are offering a 24-hour service in soft
drinks, coffee, sandwiches and other
delicacies for boaters, anglers and
sightseers,” reported the Telegram.
The proceeds were to be used for
nautical equipment and perhaps a
base on one of the lake’s islands.
A few months later, it was
reported that they were doing well.
“The boys do a rushing
business on thirst annihilators and
confections.”
THE RESORT’S LAST YEARS
In the spring of 1941, the Lake
Babcock Amusement Resort was still
active. F.O. Gottschalk, chairman of
the boating committee, wrote a letter
to Leonard Flesicher dated March 29,
1941.
“The association is very anxious to
get facilities at Lake Babcock in good
shape so that it will be a first-class
boating resort,” he wrote.
He was looking for people who
might donate 50-gallon oil barrels
for a dock since they had no money.
He also suggested the formation of
a boat club with a membership fee of
$5 to help raise funds.
That May, the Telegram reported
that a 10-stall boat house had only
two spots left.
“Resort officers are more enthused
than ever that Lake Babcock shores
will eventually become a mecca for
water sports lovers and picnickers.
“They sagely admit popularity of
substantial volume is a matter for the
future . . . In the meantime, Resort
officials are continually planning,
and affording boaters and fisherman
the best sport possible,” noted the
Telegram on May 24, 1941.
However, by the next year, the
Amusement Resort was referred to as
Loup’s “recreation committee.”
A hunting debate at the lake
was making more news than cabin
cruisers and surfers.
By November of 1942, the
Loup Board agreed to pay for
improvements made by the resort.
“It was the general opinion of
Board members present that such
bills be paid by the District providing
the work done and improvements
made had some actual physical
value toward the betterment and
improvement of recreational facilities
in connection with Lake Babcock.”
It is unclear exactly when the
Resort died out, but it was most likely
late 1942 or 1943.
The lake itself, had troubles of
its own. Boaters began to diminish
as anglers increased. The lake had
been stocked and the fish had time to
grow. An Telegram article from 1943
notes it’s popularity.
“Lake Babcock was probably the
most popular spot in Columbus
Sunday and Monday . . . The crappies
were biting and this is the reason for
the big attraction.”
By the late 1940s, the lake began
to fill with silt, making boating more
difficult.
Lake Babcock—and Lake North
in later years—also lost some of its
luster as bigger and better lakes came
along.
The Harlan County Dam and
reservoir opened in 1952, followed a
few years later by Lewis & Clark Lake.
The Sherman Dam and reservoir
were created in 1961.
In the early 1960s, Loup began
to study the feasibility of adding an
extension to the lake.
Loup officials decided the
additional water storage was needed
to provide the necessary electricity
at peak requirement times. This was
lest costly than dredging out Lake
Babcock.
When Lake North opened in 1964,
it captivated local crowds much as
Lake Babcock had more than 25 years
earlier — hosting ski shows and
other large events.
Today, Lake Babcock is much
quieter than it once was. Visitors
seek wildlife and peace, rather than
thrilling races.
But that’s OK. At least the crappies
are still biting.

watch out for
SCAMS!
Utility
scammers are taking advantage
of the pandemic and ramping up their efforts!
They are often threatening and their phone numbers
or emails may appear to be coming from Loup Power
District or your local utility.
Take note of these tips so you don’t become
their next victim.
DISCONNECTION
DECEPTION
PAYMENT
METHODS
Scammers may threaten
to disconnect your power
if you don’t follow their
instructions.
If the caller demands
payment by gift card, cash,
wire, or cryptocurrency, it is a scam.
Legitimate companies don’t demand
payment by these methods.
DON’T GIVE OUT
PERSONAL INFO
Don’t give out banking
or other personal info
over the phone unless
you made the call to a
legitimate number.
BE WARY OF
IMMEDIATE
PAYMENTS
Scammers often say you
must pay within a few hours
to avoid disconnection.
SHARE THESE TIPS
Tell your friends and family
about these scams so they
can protect themselves.
When people hear about
scams, they’re more likely
to avoid them.
CONTACT US
Your caller ID may say Loup
even if it is a scammer. If
you are suspicious, hang up
and call Loup or your local
power provider at the number
provided on your monthly
statement.
FALL 2020 9

New Digital Governors
for Monroe Powerhouse
It’s time for an upgrade at the Monroe
Powerhouse.
The three digital governors are no longer
supported by the manufacturer. The software is
obsolete and the District has been using legacy
equipment to interface with those governors.
Because of these limitations, Loup replaced the
first of three digital governors in July. The second
will follow this month, with the third scheduled
next year. The cost is around $300,000.
“The purpose of the governor is to control speed
of the generator and it does this by controlling the
amount of water to the turbine with the wicket
gates,” said Hydro Superintendent Brad Morton.
The governors also function as auxiliary equipment
controllers and provide mechanical protection for
the generators. They do so by sounding alarms
when something isn’t quite right, like temperature,
oil pressure, or headwater levels. Each governor is
configured with more than 200 alarms.
The mechanical controllers were first upgraded
in 1997. At that time, the Tainter Gate controls,
powerhouse synthesizer, mechanical headwater
level indicator, and other mechanical equipment
was also digitized at a cost of about $535,000.
That cost included fees to Voith Hydro, which
helped design, engineer, and program the
controllers. It also included fees for electricians
and millwrights who installed the mechanical and
electrical components.
This time, Voith is again doing the design and
commissioning work for the governors, but Loup
personnel is handling the rest of the work since
only the electric components of the governors
(inside the cabinets) are being replaced. The
hydraulic and mechanical equipment replaced in
1997 is still in good condition.
The design for this upgrade began last year when
Loup contacted Voith, based in York, Pa. After
approval and engineering, the design went to a
subcontractor for assembly.
Morton was planning to travel to Philadelphia for
factory testing of the new governors this spring.
That plan was scrapped due to the Covid-19
pandemic. Instead, Kent Matson, Lead Project
Hydro Superintendent Brad Morton
demonstrates how the old digital
governors work. The new governors
have an improved operator screens,
as shown above.
10 GENERATOR

Above: The inside of a digital
governor cabinet at the Monroe
Powerhouse.
Right: The Monroe Powerhouse
has three digital governors. The
electric components are being
replaced.
Engineer at Voith, completed factory testing on site
at the Monroe Powerhouse.
Matson and Loup personnel followed a step-by-step
procedure to calibrate the governor and make sure
it interfaced correctly with auxiliary equipment.
He also simulated different generator operations to
ensure the alarms work correctly.
Morton said these new governors are computerbased
so they can be upgraded as needed. They are a
definite improvement from the governors installed
in 1997 and especially the original equipment dating
to the 1930s.
“When we went to digital governors we gained
increased reliability and equipment protection that
wasn’t available with the original equipment,”
Morton said. “The digital governors made it possible
to interface with SCADA systems and modern
generator auxiliary support equipment.”
Kent Matson, Lead Project Engineer at Voith Hydro, tested and
commissioned the first of three digital governors at the Monroe
Powerhouse in July.
FALL 2020 11

PROTECTING SHOREBIRDS
AT THE GENOA HEADWORKS
In 1985, the number of interior least terns dropped
below 2,000 adults nesting in a few dozen sites along
the Mississippi River.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed it as an
endangered species that May.
The following year, the USFWS named the Northern
Great Plains population of the piping plover a
threatened species.
The birds have had different fates in the last 35 years.
The interior least tern population has rebounded to
18,000 in 18 states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
is proposing to delist the species.
The Northern Great Plains population of the piping
plover, is still struggling to make a comeback. Their
numbers have declined in some years, but still trend
slightly upward.
Michael Gutzmer, Principal of New Century
Environmental (NCE) in Columbus, said climate
patterns, predation, land use, and human encroachment
are some of the major impediments to stable
populations of these unique shorebirds in our Nebraska
waters.
“The stakes are high and unpredictable in reproductive
success when the birds choose to nest in highly variable
flow conditions like the Loup or Platte Rivers,” he said.
“This may be part of the reason these birds are so rare.”
TERN & PLOVER DECLINE
Protecting wildlife was likely not a consideration in 1933
when the Loup Project grant and loan was announced by
the Public Works Administration.
The Fish and Wildlife Service
was created seven years
later, in 1940. Congress
passed the Endangered
Species Act in 1973.
The first record of
both species was
first recorded in the
1940s. By this time,
many hydroelectric
projects around the
state and country were
complete.
These projects — along with irrigation, development,
and recreation— caused river channels to narrow, and
vegetation to increase. In turn, the number of suitable
nesting sandbars decreased.
Over the years, the birds have expanded their habitat
to include sand pits, lake housing developments, and
reservoir shorelines.
These are not always suitable nesting habitats, however,
considering the amount of human interaction at these
sites.
ATVs and off-road vehicles can crush nests and kill
birds. Because these birds nest on the open ground,
they are more vulnerable to predators like raccoons,
foxes, coyotes, opossums, skunks, river otters, and dogs.
FERC LICENSE MANDATES
For more than 80 years, the District has dredged sand
from the settling basin at the Genoa Headworks.
The two-mile settling basin fills with sediment as
Loup River water enters the canal. It is removed using
a hydraulic dredge and pumped to sand management
areas to the north and south of the canal. This allows
the water to more easily flow through the canal to
powerhouses in Monroe and Columbus.
Until the mid-1980s, dredging began in spring and
continued through the fall. That changed when the
birds were listed as threatened and endangered. At that
time, Loup changed its dredging schedule to protect
them from the sand and slurry that is pumped into their
nesting areas.
Those efforts continue today as mandated in the
District’s federal hydroelectric license, issued in 2017 by
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The license requires that Loup cease dredging from
the first sign of nests in June through August to reduce
nest disturbances. Both birds nest by creating shallow
depressions in open sand.
The license requires that Loup monitor the presence
and habitat of the interior least tern, piping plover, and
rufa red knot for at least six years and submit an annual
report documenting all studies. The District is currently
in the third year of that plan, which began in 2018. (To
date, no rufa red knots have been documented at the
Genoa Headworks.)
12 GENERATOR
Piping plover at the Genoa Headworks. Photo by Michael Gutzmer.

Pair of nesting least terns.
Photo by Michael Gutzmer.
Gutzmer has worked with Loup since 2010, and is in
the process of completing those studies. Gutzmer and
his team will continue monitoring through 2023 when
they will complete a final report.
Their business serves as the environmental compliance
arm for Loup — surveying bird populations and
their habitats, and completing reports on fish, water
pollution, invasive species, wetlands, and other
environmental issues.
In his work with Loup, Gutzmer has also conducted
training and general awareness for Loup employees,
showing them how to monitor the area for birds and
nests. He also educates District employees about other
applicable environmental regulations.
NEW HABITAT AT HEADWORKS
Although the Loup project changed the flow of the river
in the 1930s, the dredging operation has created new
habitat over all these years.
“Loup has helped the species tremendously because we
are creating habitat on the sand management areas,”
said Chris Shank, Loup’s Civil Engineering Compliance
Technician.
Gutzmer echoed that observation.
“The extraction and dredging of sand from the supply
canal has created significant substrate for nesting
opportunities at the Genoa Headworks,” he said. “Loup
can take credit in and around the entire canal system
for creating many aquatic resource opportunities that
might not otherwise exist.”
Gutzmer said diversion also lowers flows in the bypass
reach, creating more sand bars for bird nesting. NCE
has formally documented this in FERC article studies.
— continued on page 14
Above left: a least tern with a fish in its beak. Photo by Kate Asmus.
Above right: New Century Environmental employees Shailyn Miller and
Jordan Kort and contract biologist Tony Bryne survey piping plover and
least tern at the Genoa Headworks in May with the help of driver Bob
Souillere. Photo by Michael Gutzmer.
The Pawnee II dredges sand and sediment from the settling basin at the
Genoa Headworks. It is pumped into sand management areas (shown
below), creating new habitat for the piping plover and least tern. The
district ceases dredging during the birds’ nesting season from June
through August to protect the nests.
FALL 2020 13

Interior Least terns and piping plovers make
shallow depressions on sandbars for their
nests. Piping plovers typically lay four eggs
and line the nest with pebbles (top photo),
while least terns lay three eggs (bottom).
Photos by Michael Gutzmer.
A biological opinion issued by the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service in 2016 also
noted the positive impact of dredging
on the bird populations.
“Dredging has not only kept the
canal open but has resulted in the
generation and regeneration of
interior least tern nesting habitat
through the creation of these sand
piles.”
The report also noted without the
dredging, vegetation would likely
encroach into nesting areas, resulting
in a loss of habitat.
While annual bird surveys and
dredging season limits are mandated
in the District’s license, Shank
said Loup is mindful of our natural
resources and wants to be good
stewards of those resources.
This includes continuing to learn
and gather information to better
help both species.
“We strive for conservation and the
sustainability of these ecosystems
and our operations,” he said.
The Tern and Plover Conservation
Partnership, based at the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln, is also working
to protect the birds along the Lower
Platte, Loup, and Elkhorn Rivers.
Elsa Forsberg is a lead technician
with the group and conducts
surveys at the Headworks during the
summer, counting birds and checking
nests.
Numbers last year were disappointing
due to flooding caused by a mid-
March storm, but have improved this
year.
“The partnership with the Headworks
provides additional off-river habitat
and enables us to monitor and protect
the nests there,” Forsberg said. “It is
very valuable.”
SUMMER 2020 BIRD SURVEY
SURVEY DATE
May 18–20
June 2–3
June 15–16
July 1–2
July 13–14
INTERIOR LEAST TERN
Loup River Bypass Lower Platte River
6 14
16 34
17 34
14 28
7 27
PIPING PLOVER
Loup River Bypass Lower Platte River
5 1
1 2
3 2
7 0
11 11
Source: New Century Environmental
Below left: A piping plover uses the “broken wing display” to defend its nest.
Photo by Michael Gutzmer.
Below right: A piping plover chick explores. Tern and plover nests, eggs,
and chicks are well camouflaged, making them difficult to see.
Photo by Kate Asmus.
14 GENERATOR

PIPING PLOVER
STATUS: Threatened
DESCRIPTION: Small migratory shorebird bird about
the size of a robin. Named for the melodic “piping”
of its call. Sandy-colored back and white underparts.
Single black neck band and a short orange bill with a
black tip.
NEBRASKA HABITAT: In Nebraska, the habitat of the
piping plover has been reduced due to years of humancaused
changes to natural river systems. Today piping Photo by Kate Asmus
plovers nest along portions of the Missouri, Platte,
Niobrara, Loup, and Elkhorn Rivers in Nebraska. They
nest on river sandbars, lakeshore housing developments, reservoirs, and sand and gravel mines.
NESTING: Piping plovers make shallow scrapes in the sand and line them with small pebbles. The female lays
three to four eggs. Both parents share incubation duties. Eggs hatch in about a month and young leave the nests
within hours, but remain near parents for a few weeks. The young can fly in 18–28 days.
REASONS FOR DECLINE: Heavily hunted in the late 1800s for their feathers, which were used in the millinery (hat)
trade. They started to rebound, but dam construction and water diversion changed river flow and reduced nesting
habitat in the 1930s and 40s. Humans have also caused changes to the landscape and increased the number of
predators. In the wintering grounds in Texas, beach development and sea level rise have also decreased habitat.
DIET: Insects and small aquatic invertebrates.
DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOR: Adults defend nests with a broken wing display. They make alarm calls, limp, and pretend
to be injured to lead the intruder away from nest and chicks
There are three populations of piping plovers. The Great Lakes population of piping plovers is endangered.
The Northern Great Plains and Atlantic Coast populations are threatened.
INTERIOR LEAST TERN
STATUS: Endangered
DESCRIPTION: The smallest members of the tern
family, a little smaller than a robin. Deep forked tail.
White body, black cap with white forehead, and light
gray wings. Yellow bill with a black tip.
NEBRASKA HABITAT: Interior least terns were once
found in Nebraska throughout the major river systems,
but their range has been reduced because of habitat
loss. Today they nest along portions of the Missouri,
Platte, Niobrara, Loup, and Elkhorn Rivers. They nest
on river sandbars, reservoirs, lakeshore housing
developments, and sand and gravel mines.
NESTING: Nest in colonies. Lay 2 to 3 eggs in a small depression in bare sand. Eggs take about 21 days to hatch.
The chicks typically leave the nests within two days of hatching, but depend on their parents for food and
protection for about three weeks.
REASONS FOR DECLINE: At the time of listing in 1985, the interior least tern was believed to have been eliminated
from much of its summer nesting range by the construction of dams and other forms of river engineering, such as
channelization, that inundated and destroyed their nesting islands and bars and altered flow regimes.
DIET: Small fish.
Photo by Platte River Recovery Implementation Program
DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOR: Adults defend nest and chicks by mobbing, dive bombing, and defecating on intruders.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership
FALL 2020 15

employee notes
KOREY HOBZA
Vice President of Engineering
Welcome
Korey Hobza of Columbus joined Loup Power District as Vice President of Engineering
in July.
In his new role, Hobza provides leadership for the planning, design, maintenance and
construction of the electric, transmission, distribution, and generation systems at Loup
Power. He also has supervisory responsibility for Engineering and Meter/Maintenance
personnel as well as building and structures maintenance.
Hobza previously served as Facilities Manager/Support Engineering Leader at BD
Medical in Columbus, where he worked since 2007.
He is a graduate of Leigh Public Schools and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Industrial Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He and his wife, Peggy, have two children: Hayden, 6, and Karleigh, 3.
Promotion
TRENT CRUMLEY
Heavy Equipment Operator
Trent Crumley has been promoted
to Heavy Equipment Operator.
Crumley joined Loup Power District
in 2017 as the District’s Maintenance
Man for the Hydro Department
based out of the Columbus Service
Center. In 2018, he was promoted to
Equipment Operator.
In his new role as Heavy
Equipment Operator, Crumley is
part of the crew that maintains the
District’s canal system from Genoa to
Columbus. He operates the District’s
heavy equipment including draglines,
loaders, backhoes, and trucks. He also
works at the two powerhouses when
needed, helps build substations, and
maintains District parks and lakes.
He is a graduate of Monroe High
School. He and his wife, Shana, have
two sons, Dylan and Ethan.
Welcome
JEREMY REIS
Machinist/Welder
Jeremy Reis joined Loup
Power District as Machinist/
Welder in August.
His duties include fabricating
parts and equipment, repairing
equipment and vehicles,
welding, and maintenance work.
Reis is a graduate of Albion
High School and studied
machine tool and welding at
Central Community College-
Columbus. He and his wife,
Bridget, live in Genoa. He
has two children and four
stepchildren.
Reis worked at Preferred
Sands before joining Loup.
5 Years
KENTON ZIMMER
Dredge/Maintenance
Canal Tech
Kenton Zimmer of Genoa has
joined Loup Power District as a
Maintenance Man at the Genoa
Headworks in 2015.
In 2017, he was promoted. In his
current role as Dredge/Maintenance
Canal Technician, he is a member of
the crew responsible for the operation
and maintenance of the dredge that
removes sand and sediment from
the settling basin of the Loup Canal.
He also helps maintain the District’s
equipment and facilities including
Headworks Park.
A native of Duncan, Zimmer is a
graduate of Columbus High School.
He attended Central Community
College-Columbus.
Zimmer and his wife, Betsy, are
the parents of four children.
16 GENERATOR

NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
Suess joined Loup in 2005 as President/CEO. He oversees all operations of Loup Power
District and reports to the Board of Directors. The District’s operations include the sale
and distribution of electricity in the four-county service territory, hydro generation, and
economic development in the service area.
During his 15 years at the helm, Suess has been involved in several milestone events
at the District. They include the generating unit renovation at the Columbus and Monroe
Powerhouses in 2007, electrical expansion construction at ADM Corn Processors east of
Columbus, the commissioning of a new Dredge in 2012, and a new federal hydroelectric
license in 2017. He has also helped coordinate repairs of the District’s Genoa Headworks
caused by a storm in March 2019. He was also instrumental in bringing both Clarkson
(2007) and Leigh (2018) on as retail towns.
Suess holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State
University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Nebraska and a member of the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Suess and his wife, Jo, have two children, Elizabeth (soon to be married to Collin Gilbert)
and Taylor (married to Dani Pedersen) and one grandchild, Leo.
15 Years
10 Years
CRAIG BAXA
Powerhouse Operator
Craig Baxa joined Loup in 2010 as a Maintenance
Man at the Genoa Headworks. In 2012, he was promoted
to his current position of Plant Operator at the
Columbus Powerhouse.
He is on a team of six Columbus Powerhouse
operators who watch over Loup’s hydroelectric system.
They monitor and control the generation units at the
powerhouses in Columbus and Monroe. The operators
also work closely with the Genoa Headworks Division
to divert maximum water from the Loup River into the
District’s canal system for power plant generation.
Baxa is a graduate of Twin River High School.
He attended Wayne State College where he earned
a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He
and his wife, Chelsi, live in Monroe and have one son,
Chance.
1 Year
TODD DUREN
Vice President of Corporate Services
Todd Duren of Columbus joined Loup Power District
in 2019.
He is responsible for oversight of four departments
— Development/Marketing, Information Technology,
Human Resources, and Safety. He also oversees
regulatory compliance in the HR and safety areas and
provides leadership on economic development and
public relations projects.
Duren is a graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High
School. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He and his wife,
Lisa, have three children — Anthony, 29, and his wife,
Blair; Morgan, 27; and Jared, 23.
In his free time, Duren enjoys duck hunting,
cheering on the Huskers and hanging out with family
and friends.
FALL 2020 17

Loup adds hybrid EV to fleet
New public charging stations coming to Columbus
Loup Power District offers several cash incentives to customers who
purchase electric vehicles.
The District has considered adding an electric vehicle to its fleet for a few
years and moved forward with that plan after discovering an incentive of its
own.
Loup was one of eight utilities that received a $16,000 grant from the
Nebraska Community Energy Alliance (NCEA) and Nebraska Environmental
Trust (NET) for the purchase of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle.
Loup used that grant money to purchase a Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).
The all-wheel drive SUV will be used by District employees, especially
Customer Service Representatives from Columbus who travel to other
communities.
“We wanted a more reliable vehicle for them to use in winter,” said Walt
Williams, Vice President of Accounting & Finance/CFO.
Williams said he is very impressed by the vehicle’s performance.
“I think if people would drive it, they would realize it’s great option,” he
said.
The hybrid model also eliminates some anxiety because once the battery
wears down, the vehicle will switch to gas power.
Customer Service Representative Rhonda Rogers said the car is very quiet.
“I have to look at the dashboard to make sure it is on,” she said.
Accounting Clerk Lynette June also noted how quiet the Outlander is and
appreciated the vehicle’s handling.
“When I got it on the highway, the acceleration was very smooth,” she said.
June also said it was easy to shift the car from drive to reverse and to put
the car in park by simply hitting a button.
The vehicle’s drive battery can be charged with a standard 120V power
outlet at home with the supplied charging cable (full charge in eight hours), or
with a public or residential 240V charging station (full charge in less than four
hours).
It also has DC Fast-Charging capability (commercial charging stations),
charging up to 80 percent capacity in about 25 minutes.
It has an all-electric range of about 22 miles before switching over to gas.
Loup is also planning to install Level II public EV charging stations at its
Columbus Service Center on the Lost Creek Parkway and at the Holiday Inn
Express on East 23rd Street.
An additional grant from the NCEA and NET will cover the costs of those
two chargers. Loup will pay for labor and installation.
Todd Duren, Vice President of Corporate Services, said as EVs become more
popular, it makes sense for Loup to improve charger accessibility for the
public.
“Electric vehicles are the future and each year more models are being
designed and released to the market,” he said.
Duren said consumers in the Midwest may really embrace the technology
when electric full-sized pickups and SUVs can travel more than 300 miles on a
charge.
In the meantime, today’s models are ideal for driving around town as
well as short-distance commuters. Like Williams, Duren said people may be
surprised when they test drive an electric or hybrid vehicle.
“EVs offer an exciting and unique driving experience,” he said.
Top: Walt Williams, Vice President of
Accounting & Finance/CFO, analyzes data on
the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV dashboard.
Bottom: Williams charges the SUV at the Loup
General Office. The battery can be charged
with a standard 120V power outlet or with a
public or residential 240V charging station.
The PHEV also comes standard with DC Fast-
Charging capability.
18 GENERATOR

THREE DRIVE
SYSTEM MODES
The Outlander PHEV’s drivetrain combines a front electric motor, rear
electric motor, and front-mounted gasoline-powered 2.0-liter engine
with integrated generator.
EV Drive Mode (Twin Motor S-AWC EV)
In EV Drive Mode, the vehicle is driven by the two electric motors, with
energy supplied exclusively by the lithium-ion battery pack. With the EV
mode button, the driver can select this driving mode for 100% electricpowered,
zero-emission driving, for up to 22 miles.
Series Hybrid Mode
(Twin Motor S-AWC EV with Internal Combustion Generator)
When the energy level remaining in the lithium-ion battery pack is
low, the two electric motors are powered by the battery pack and the
gasoline-powered generator. The gasoline-powered generator helps
charge the lithium-ion drive battery pack and provides power to the
twin electric motors.
Parallel Hybrid Mode
(Gasoline-Powered Engine Supported by Twin Motor S-AWC)
In this mode, the Outlander PHEV uses its full complement of resources:
1) The 2.0-liter gasoline engine drives the front wheels; the front axle
features a built-in clutch that switches the system to Parallel Drive Mode
mainly for engine-powered travel at high speeds/steady-state cruise.
2) The two electric motors operate seamlessly when additional power is
required, such as driving uphill.
Thinking about
going electric?
Look at these
INCENTIVES!
$4,500 | EV + CHARGER
$4,000 incentive for the purchase
of a new battery electric vehicle
$500 incentive for the installation
of a residential ChargePoint 32-amp,
WI-FI-enabled vehicle charging station
Charging station must be purchased and
installed to receive the vehicle incentive
PRE-WIRING
$200 for new construction
$400 for existing construction
in-home pre-wiring for the future
installation of an electric vehicle
charging station
3) The gasoline-powered engine/generator — while operating the
vehicle at sufficient speed— will feed any excess energy (electricity) back
into the lithium-ion battery pack.
The Parallel Hybrid mode is most commonly engaged when
the Outlander PHEV is driven in a long-haul/
high-speed steady-state cruise manner,
such as on the open road or
interstate, where this drivetrain
configuration is most efficient.
Questions? Visit loup.com
or call GREG at
402-562-5718.
Offered by Loup
Power District,
Nebraska Public
Power District
(NPPD), and
the Nebraska
Environmental
Trust (NET).
FALL 2020 19

2404 15th Street | PO Box 988
Columbus, NE 68602-0988
PUBLIC POWER MONTH
DID YOU
KNOW?
Nebraska is the only state in the nation served entirely
by public power electric utilities.
Community-owned utilities mean that
NEBRASKANS ARE WORKING FOR NEBRASKANS.
Nebraska’s electric utilities use a diverse mix of fuel
resources to generate electricity, such as wind, water, coal,
nuclear, natural gas, solar and methane.
Nebraska’s electric utilities
are governed by locally elected
or appointed boards and councils.
This means
YOU HAVE A VOICE IN THE
DECISIONS MADE BY YOUR
LOCAL UTILITY.
Public power
electric utilities
are not-forprofit,
meaning
there’s no profit
motive and no
shareholder
pockets to pad —
simply affordable,
cost-of-service
electric rates for
consumers.
Each dollar of a public power employee’s
paycheck circulates through the local
economy an estimated four to five times.
KEEPING LOCAL DOLLARS LOCAL.
Nebraska’s electric utilities pay more than
$100 million
to communities they serve each year in lieu of taxes.
Those dollars stay local, helping
EMPOWER OUR HOMETOWNS.