Gary Stone - Extension Educator

Gary Stone

faculty

Assoc Exten Educator NE Ext Engagement Zone 1 University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Work

4502 Ave I Scottsbluff NE 69361-4939

Work 308-632-1230

gstone2@unl.edu

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icon-academic-capEducation

MS, University of Nebraska, 1977
BS, University of Wyoming, 1976
Other, Nebraska State Irrigation Association, 2013

icon-keynotePresentations

Cheatgrass Challenge Management , University of Wyoming, SAREC, Lingle, WY

icon-bookmark-starAwards & Honors

Harold E Alley Award, Wyoming Weed & Pest Council, 2002
The Chester I. Walters “Extra Mile” Award, Nebraska Extension, 2016
Nebraska Extension Excellnce in Extension Team Award, Nebraska Extension, 2020
Wyoming Stock Growers Associatoin Environmental Stewardship Award Upper North Platte River Weed Management Area, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, 2015

Area of Responsibility: UNL Panhandle Research & Extension District
Program Responsibilities: Water management (crops and urban), horticultural topics, and some cropping systems
Nebraska Extension Teams: Resistant and Invasive Pests and Efficient Water Use

Crop Reports

Excavation continues above the tunnel collapse. A series of three trench boxes, each 10 feet tall by 20 feet wide by 20 feet long will be dropped down into the space as soil is removed. (Photo courtesy the Goshen Irrigation District) — Figure 1. Excavation continues above the tunnel collapse and on Friday a series of three trench boxes, each 10 feet tall by 20 feet wide by 20 feet long, were droppped down on top of the tunnel to create a safe place for working. (Photo courtesy the Goshen Irrigation District)

Update on Canal Repairs Affecting Growers in Nebraska and Wyoming

August 23, 2019

Work continues to excavate soil above the irrigation tunnel collapse just south of Fort Laramie. A series of trench boxes is being installed to facilitate safe conditions for continued digging. Prospects remain uncertain for restoring water this irrigation season.

Bird's eye view of repair work underway on the canal and tunnel area — Figure 1. A bird's eye view of the land work to repair the irrigation canal and excavate the collapsed area above the tunnel. (Photos by Rick Preston)

Update: Tunnel Repair Continues 'Round the Clock'

August 16, 2019

Repairs to the Gering-Fort Laramie-Goshen irrigation canal and tunnel are progressing, although it’s still too early to determine when water flow will be restored, growers were told Monday at stakeholder meetings in Nebraska and Wyoming. A photo series helps tell the story of progress.

Site of the tunnel collapse in the Goshen-Gering-Ft-Laramie Canal

August 12 Canal Repair Update Meeting

August 7, 2019

The Gering-Ft Laramie Irrigation District will host a public meeting Monday, August 12, in Scottsbluff to update farmers and landowners on the repair of the July 17 tunnel collapse and canal breach. Photos take viewers to the site and inside the tunnel.

Figure 1. An aerial view of the sink holes created by the July 17 tunnel collapse on the Gering-Fort Laramie/Goshen Irrigation District canal. The larger sink hole is approximately 100 feet across and 50 feet deep. (Photo by Justin Burkart, Goshen Emergency Management Association)

Update on Efforts to Restore Water to North Platte River Valley Canal

July 26, 2019

The Gering/Ft. Laramie Irrigation District and the Goshen Irrigation District (Wyoming) held stakeholder meetings this week to discuss the status of canal damage and repairs and how to restore irrigation water to 100,000+ acres. Initial canal repairs have started, with tunnel repairs expected to start soon.

Area of the North Platte River canal where the break occurred July 17. — Figure 1. Area where the North Platte River Canal breached July 17, flooding nearby fields. Water flow to the canal was stopped and won't be continued until repairs can be made, possibly cutting short the crop season. (Photo courtesy of Chabella Guzman of KNEB Radio)

Growers in North Platte Valley Face Critical Water Loss with Canal Damage

July 18, 2019

Surface-water irrigators in the North Platte River Valley south of the river in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming have lost their water supply due to a washout in the main supply canal early Wednesday morning (July 17). The Bureau of Reclamation is assessing the damage.

Watch for Invasive Plants After the Flood

April 23, 2019

Flood waters likely moved weed seeds, possibly introducing invasive or particularly problematic weeds in new areas of the state. Management of many of these weed species is best achieved early season when several practices may be integrated to achieve control.

Invasive Scotch Thistle Weed has Staying Power

April 11, 2019

Scotch thistle, which can now be found throughout much of North America, is an invasive weed from Eurasia threatening areas along rivers in western Nebraska. Early control efforts are essential to management.

Bureau of Reclamation Wyoming Area Office Snow Water Content graph for the Seminoe Reservoir

Rocky Mountain Snowmelt Runoff Above Average

March 27, 2019

The preliminary outlook is for a high level of snowmelt runoff for the North Platte River this spring.