Water Resources

Page spread for UNL Ag Water Management Guide
Page spread for UNL Ag Water Management Guide

New, Multi-Media Ag Water Management Guide

June 15, 2016
Nebraska Extension's new Agricultural Water Management Guide, an online, interactive resource, offers information, videos, and illustrations about various types of irrigation, their advantages and disadvantages, technologies and strategies.

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Pathfinder Reservoir photo by Gary Stone
Pathfinder Reservoir photo by Gary Stone

North Platte River Basin Water Update

May 31, 2016
Minor to moderate lowland flooding is still occurring along the North Platte River from Lewellen west into southeastern Wyoming and will continue for several weeks or months. The areas affected are primarily the river bottom, pasture, and low-lying agricultural production fields. Some areas are near flood stage and others have exceeded flood stage.

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ETgage in a soybean field
Figure 1. ETgage installed near soybean field

Atmometer (ETgage) Installation Tips

May 26, 2016
ETgages estimate potential crop evapotransiration, allowing growers to track crop water use and apply irrigation more precisely when the crop can best use it. Learn about how to prepare and install ETgages and use the resulting data. Includes table of crop coefficients for corn, soybean, and wheat.

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Watermark sensor installed in corn
Figure 1. Early installation of Watermark sensors minimizes root damage and allows the sensor time to acclimate with the soil.

Irrigation Sensor Installation Tips

May 26, 2016

As planting progresses across the state, it is recommended that irrigators start installing water sensors in fields as time allows. Any time sensors are installed, a few simple questions should be addressed to ensure accurate readings for irrigation management later this season.

1)  When should sensors be installed?

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North Platte River Basin Water Update

May 18, 2016
A collaboration of management agencies is closely monitoring the situation as reservoirs on the North Platte River in Wyoming fill and water is released. Flooding is likely in an area along the river in western Nebraska for several weeks to several months. Minor to moderate lowland flooding is occurring along the North Platte River from Lewellen west into southeastern Wyoming and will continue for several weeks or months. The areas affected are primarily the river bottom, mostly pasture but some cropland and homes.

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Water & Natural Resources Tour June 14-16

May 2, 2016

The annual water and natural resources tour, hosted by the University of  Nebraska's Nebraska Water Center and the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, will be in Colorado this summer.

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North Platte Water Carryover Up from 2015

April 20, 2016

The US Bureau of Reclamation presented their North Platte River water update and forecast of water operations for the 2016 season at a recent meeting at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff.

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Report Reveals Rises in Groundwater Levels after Multiple Years of Decline

February 4, 2016

From the spring of 2014 to the spring of 2015, water levels began to rise following significant declines resulting from extended period of drought from early 2012 through the summer of 2013.

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