The "Tri-County" Project
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George W. Norris and George E. Johnson

Another influential figure during the efforts to secure federal approval and funds for the project was U.S. Senator George W. Norris of McCook. Sen. Norris played a pivotal role in guiding the project through the federal government’s bureaucratic maze. Sen. Norris personally intervened on behalf of the Tri-County Project on several occasions. His efforts to convince Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes and President Franklin Roosevelt — with whom he had a good working relationship — that the project was essential to Nebraska’s well-being eventually were successful.

Prior to the formation of the Central District, George E. Johnson played a vital role in the development of the project. Johnson promoted the project to politicians, federal agencies, and farmers from 1915 until its approval in 1935. He was the chief engineer during construction of the project and served as Central’s first general manager from 1935 until 1946. He played an important role in the design and development of Nebraska’s Rural Electrification Administration projects that brought electricity to the state’s farms and small towns. He also helped with the design of the Loup Public Power District’s project.

In the book Public Power in Nebraska, it was said:

“… No man is more important in the history of public power development in Nebraska than George E. Johnson. To honor his contributions to the Central District, Johnson Lake and the Johnson No. 1 and No. 2 hydroplants are named for him.”
 Norris Campaign Card
Sen. George Norris, with George E. Johnson observing,
pulls the switch at the Jeffrey Hydroplant to bring the plant
on line for the first time on Jan. 5, 1941.
Source — Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.