NRD News
Below are important current issues and press releases from the various NRDs. The information is grouped by river basin; click on an NRD on the map below to jump to that basin section.
Republican River Basin
Includes Upper Republican NRD, Middle Republican NRD, Lower Republican NRD, Tri-Basin NRD
Republican River NRD's Statement of Compliance 08/13/07
Middle Republican NRD
An open letter to all concerned about Nebraska water issues. Jan 4, 2007
NRD Supports Projects with Basin-wide Impacts
A project sponsored in part by the Middle Republican NRD was found eligible for a grant award of $35,578 by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
NRD Average Water Use is 8.8 inches
Irrigators in the Middle Republican NRD have reduced their ground water usage to an average of 8.8 inches in 2005, reported Manager Dan Smith at the District's recent board meeting.Groundwater irrigators used 30% less water than their allocation for the year.This amounts to 109,500 acre-feet less than what was allocated for 2005.Compared to other years, ground water irrigators used 151,300 acre-feet less than what was used in 2004 and 399,000 acre feet less than water used in 2002, Smith added.
Middle Republican NRD releases 2005 Water Usage Summary and Basin Groundwater Management Timeline 1993-2005
Upper Republican NRD
Upper Republican NRD Doing Its Part
The Irrigators in the Republican River Basin in Southwest Nebraska have stepped up to the plate.Especially in the Upper Republican Natural Resources District, where stringent allocations were implemented as early as 1978. Tabulation of meter readings indicate irrigation withdrawals in the Upper Republican NRD were 15% below the amount allocated which equate to irrigators using about 78,500 acre-feet les than their allocation (13.5 acre-inches) in 2005.Irrigators in the Upper Republican NRD average 11.4 inches of irrigation per certified acre.
Platte River Basin
Includes North Platte NRD, South Platte NRD, Twin Platte NRD, Central Platte NRD
North Platte NRD
NPNRD cites new regulations as a set in the right direction
Despite initiating and willingly participating in seven months of talks with the state’s irrigation and hydro-electric giant, the North Platte Natural Resources District says it has been left with a black eye and the threat of a lawsuit.
NPNRD Calls for Equity in Basin-wide Plan
A proposal has been laid on the table of the Platte River Basin Stakeholders group asking for equity among water users.The seven-point plan submitted by the North Platte Natural Resources District counters an earlier proposal by Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to reduce groundwater use in the Panhandle by 50 percent in order to replenish levels at Lake McConaughy. The CNPPID plan has been criticized by western water managers and members of the NPNRD Stakeholders group as being one-sided.
Elkhorn - Missouri River Basin
Includes Lewis & Clark NRD, Papio-Missouri River NRD, Lower Elkhorn NRD, Upper Elkhorn NRD
Lower Elkhorn NRD
Lower Elkhorn NRD approves Pierce Trail Work
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District board on Thursday approved a $20,000 agreement with JEO Consulting Group to design the last phase of the trail around Willow Creek State Recreation Area at Pierce.
Lewis & Clark NRD
Lewis & Clark NRD Releases 2006 Bazile Triangle Groundwater Management Area Report
Lewis & Clark NRD Releases 2006 review
Lewis & Clark NRD is actively providing services for the residents of the district.
Blue River Basin
Includes Upper Big Blue NRD, Lower Big Blue NRD, Little Blue NRD
Little Blue NRD
Well Moratorium in Little Blue
A steadily declining water table has prompted the Little Blue Natural Resources District Board of Directors to take action to stop well drilling and new irrigation developments in a portion of their district.The area covers an approximate 194 square mile area of southern Thayer and west central Jefferson Counties and lies southwest of the Little Blue River.The area possesses an isolated aquifer identified by the NRD as Hydrologic Unit # 8.
Upper Big Blue NRD
Groundwater Levels Declines a Direct Result of Seven-Year Drought
For the past seven years, the entire state of Nebraska has experienced— and by all indications will most likely continue to experience—a severe drought. In fact, every state west of the Missouri River has had drought conditions that range from moderate to severe over the past several years. The drought is directly correlated with changes in the regional and global climate related to temperature trends in the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, among other factors. Drought conditions have caused decline of water levels at Lake McConaughy and
Harlan County reservoirs, as well as low stream flows in the majority of the rivers that pass through Nebraska.
Upper Big Blue NRD is Mailing Reporting Packets to Area Irrigators:
In the spring of 2006, the Upper Big Blue NRD measured ground water levels at 511 observation wells throughout the NRD. These measurements were then used to compute the Spring 2006 Average Ground Water Level within the NRD. The findings show that the Spring 2006 Average Ground Water Level in the Upper Big Blue NRD is 0.52 feet below the reporting level, and 2.48 feet above the allocation level. Observation wells are measured in the spring of each year, allowing the water table to rebound from the previous irrigation season.
Therefore, the reporting level set forth by the Upper Big Blue NRD Rules & Regulations has now been reached.
Niobrara River Basin
Includes Upper Niobrara -White NRD, Lower Niobrara NRD, Middle Niobrara NRD, Lower Loup NRD, Upper Loup NRD
Lower Loup NRD
DNR Issues Stay on New Surface Water Appropriations in the Lower Loup NRD
Earlier this year, the Lower Loup Natural Resources District Board of Directors approved a temporary stay on the issuance of new permits for groundwater wells that pump 50 gallons or more per minute. Now, the Nebraska Department of Resources has adopted a similar stay on the granting of new surface water rights for irrigation. READ MORE
Lower Loup NRD Board Okays Rules, Well Suspension
The Lower Loup Natural Resources District Board of Directors has given unanimous approval to three new ground water management rules following a public hearing in Ord Thursday. Among the new rules is a temporary closure in the issuance of permits to construct new wells that will halt well drilling in the NRD for two years.
NRD Takes Action on Ground Water Rules
"We're getting a process started."That's how Lower Loup NRD General Manager Leon "Butch" Koehlmoos described the NRD Board's approval of a plan to begin the process of adopting new rules for the District's Ground Water Management plan.
Lower Platte River Basin
Includes Lower Platte North NRD, Lower Platte South NRD, Nemaha NRD
Nemaha NRD
Board Action information, March 13, 2006
Lower Platte North NRD
Area Conservationists Honored at NRD Banquet
"The NRD presented awards for conservation, tree planting, education, partnership, and more at its Annual Recognition Banquet on Dec. 4 at the Fremont Golf Club.
Lower Platte South NRD
Landowners to Study MoPac Trail Extension Route
City and NRD to Look Again at Beal Slough Plan
Samples May Show Nitrate Movement and Trends
NRD Newsletters
Each Natural Resources District publish periodic updates on their districts activities. Below are links to their information.Contact the local district for more information.
| NRD | Updated |
Link |
| Nebraska Association of Resources Districts | ||
| Central Platte | On-going |
|
| Lewis & Clark | ||
| Little Blue | News Page | |
| Lower Big Blue | On-going |
|
| Lower Elkhorn | ||
| Lower Loup | On-going |
|
| Lower Niobrara | Winter 2004-2005 |
|
| Lower Platte North | On-going |
|
| Lower Platte South | On-going |
|
| Lower Republican | ||
| Middle Niobrara | ||
| Middle Republican | On-going |
|
| Nemaha | On-going |
|
| North Platte | On-going March 2006 |
|
| Papio-Missouri River | On-going |
|
| South Platte | On-going |
|
| Tri-Basin | On-going |
|
| Twin Platte | On-going |
|
| Upper Big Blue | On-going |
|
| Upper Elkhorn | On-going |
|
| Upper Loup | ||
| Upper Niobrara-White | On-going |
|
| Upper Republican | On-going |
Find Out More
Many NRDs have their own web sites with information on their projects and programs, or e-mail addresses where you can request more information.