South Platte

Nebraska last year launched a $500 million canal project to divert water from the South Platte River in Colorado.

The city is currently reusing about 10%, filtered through the South Platte River bank, and is well-positioned to accommodate future growth by expanding recycling, Baker said.

Plus, Colorado often exceeded its treaty obligations on the South Platte: From 1996 through 2015, the state delivered Nebraska almost 8 million more acre feet than it was required to deliver under the treaty.

Schneider and his neighbors take surplus South Platte water in winter to augment the wells they use to irrigate their crops in summer.

Ricketts, a Republican, has said the South Platte River Compact agreement that was approved by Nebraska, Colorado and Congress in 1923 gives Nebraska the right to build the canal.