Lake Ogallala to be drained

OGALLALA, Neb. -- Water levels at Lake Ogallala will be going down, but the drought has nothing to do with it. 

Nebraska Public Power District said they will begin draining the western Nebraska lake later this month. 

It's part of their ongoing maintenance to the Keystone Diversion Dam on the lake's east side. 

NPPD said while the lake is drained, crews will be putting on a new coat of protective coating on the dam's diversion gates. 

NPPD said the work shouldn't affect cooling at the Gerald Gentleman Coal Plant near Sutherland or water stored in the Sutherland Reservoir. 

The work is scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 23.