Thirty Mile Canal Marks 100 Years, Honors Jim Harris Service

By Scout Nelson

Central Platte NRD and the Thirty Mile Irrigation District (TMID) are recognizing two landmark achievements: the 100th anniversary of the Thirty Mile Canal and Manager Jim Harris’s 50 years of service. The canal has been a vital source of irrigation water for agricultural producers in central Nebraska, supporting both farm operations and the regional economy for a century.

The canal’s origins date to 1926 when its first water rights were approved. Built in 1927 and dedicated in 1928, the project was financed by 121 local farmers and designed to irrigate about 15,000 acres, creating a reliable water supply for the area’s growing agricultural sector.

A major milestone came in 2012 when Central Platte NRD partnered with the Thirty Mile Canal Company to improve irrigation efficiency and long-term water management. The nearly $5 million project included significant infrastructure upgrades that modernized the canal system and improved water delivery.

In 2013, the organization became the Thirty Mile Irrigation District, a political subdivision of Nebraska. The following year, TMID and Central Platte NRD formed the Stream Flow Enhancement Alliance, which helps use available Platte River flows for irrigation and groundwater recharge, strengthening water resources across the region.

The partnership has continued to invest in modernization. A shared field office was constructed near Cozad in 2021, and in 2025, six automated Rubicon gates were installed to enhance water measurement, control, and delivery efficiency throughout the system.

Jim Harris has been a key part of the canal’s success for five decades. During his career, he has managed daily operations, coordinated water deliveries, operated headgates, and helped ensure dependable irrigation service for landowners across the district.

As the canal enters its second century, TMID remains focused on reliable water delivery, efficient resource management, and continued support for Nebraska agriculture.

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