Groundwater

Soil water sensor
Figure 1. Early installation of sensors helps to minimize root and leaf damage and makes it easy to get around the field with the pickup or ATV to install the equipment.

Study Reviews Farmer Irrigation Scheduling Tendencies in Central Nebraska

June 15, 2022
While a recent study revealed that irrigators tend to overwater on wetter years, extension experts recommend data-driven decisions for optimizing yields, saving water and lowering cost of production.  

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Sprinkler system
USDA/Flickr

Webinar to Explore Sustainable Groundwater Management

May 26, 2022
This webinar will review California's 2015 groundwater legislation, highlighting features that may be applicable improvements in Nebraska.

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Irrigation systems aerial view
Figure 1. Center pivot irrigation systems dot the landscape along the South Platte River. On the North Platte River, Lake McConaughy reservoir stores water which is later used for irrigation. (Photo credit: Google Earth)

New Article Traces Aspects of the History of Irrigation in the Great Plains and Water Productivity

March 23, 2022
A review of the history of irrigation in the Great Plains region from a geographical, technical and political perspective, as well as how it has impacted water resources.

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Nebraska river map

The 1923 South Platte River Compact and Nebraska Water Rights Webinar

March 23, 2022
Dave Aiken, UNL ag law/water law specialist, examines the South Platte compact and Nebraska’s compact water rights with regard to the proposed Perkins County Canal development.

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Pivot irrigation

New Bill Would Change Nebraska Drainage Law

February 24, 2022
UNL Extension Water Law and Agricultural Law Specialist Dave Aiken discusses the potential impacts of Legislative Bill 806 on Nebraska farmers and landowners.

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Pivot irrigation
USDA/Flickr

Climate Change and Future Nebraska Water Challenges

November 10, 2021
Dave Aiken, professor and water and agricultural law specialist in UNL's Department of Agricultural Economics, highlights concerns about climate change for agriculture in Nebraska.

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Source water protection area map
Agricultural land located in the source water protection priority areas on this map may be eligible to receive financial assistance. Areas highlighted in red are high priority; areas highlighted in blue and yellow are medium priority.

Funding Available from USDA to Protect Groundwater

November 3, 2021
Landowners have until Friday, Nov. 19 to apply for USDA NRCS funding that will provide financial assistance to individuals seeking to install conservation practices in source water protection priority area.

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Bazile Groundwater Management logo

Bazile Groundwater Management Area Field Day

September 1, 2021
Nebraska Extension, Upper Elkhorn Natural Resource District (NRD), Lower Niobrara NRD, Lewis & Clark NRD, Lower Elkhorn NRD and Nebraska Environmental Trust are sponsoring the Bazile Groundwater Management Area Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at David Connot Farm in Knox County.

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