SENECA, Kan. — A lake proposed for Southeast Nebraska would offer a series of advantages for a parched region, supporters say.

Plans call for preparatory work that could lead to construction of a 3,000-acre public reservoir — purportedly becoming Nebraska’s seventh-largest body of water — with a suggested location just north of Seneca, Kan., across the state border, in Pawnee County, Neb. The lake would be about the size of Mozingo Lake in Nodaway County, Mo. A price tag of up to $200 million is already forecast, said Bryan Mellage, president/project manager for Auburn Lake Company in Auburn, Neb.

Mr. Mellage said the idea is one the area’s agricultural economy may need to pursue to survive.

“Our part of the world is changing,” Mr. Mellage said. “Our rural towns are changing. We need to be thinking about what our future’s going to be.”

A lake would fold in well with the farm economy’s other assets, he said.

“It will be based around ag. We need to add to our portfolio,” he added.

Large companies potentially interested in the region have complained about a lack of recreational amenities and quality of life.

“We believe in people first, jobs second,” Mr. Mellage said.

Auburn Lake’s research has shown water to be a major attraction and the lake’s potential as a major water resource for the region is a leading factor in the decision to build.

“That is going to be our focus,” he said.

Officials with five rural water districts attended a May 28 meeting to discuss the region’s water supply. Although the lake can supply 30 cities and a population of 50,000, Mr. Mellage said a grant-funded federal study of the area’s water needs and letters of support gathered from throughout the region are prerequisites.

Environmental stewardship would be a priority.

“We’re going to make it a very green project,” he said.

Landowner talks remain a major issue for the privately funded project. Also, the company needs a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit and an assessment of the surrounding 175,000-acre watershed, flood control and water treatment.

Mr. Mellage said he plans to begin raising capital for the project in the coming months.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.