Tri-Basin NRD Approves Temporary Contract for Groundwater Recharge

    Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (TBNRD) directors voted 4-3 to approve a one-year contract with Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID) to make use of high flows in the Platte River outside of the irrigation season. Tri-Basin NRD and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR) will pay CNPPID to fill Elwood Reservoir and the E-65 Canal. The diverted water is allowed to seep out of the bottom of the canal and reservoir, providing recharge to local aquifers and augmenting streamflows in Platte and Republican River tributaries. Tri-Basin NRD will receive credit for augmenting streamflows to fulfill the requirements of joint integrated water resources management plans (IMPs) in the Platte and Republican Basins.

"Capturing high flows from the Platte and using water that would otherwise be wasted to recharge groundwater supplies is a priority for Tri-Basin. We want to make sure that our groundwater aquifer is sustainable for the foreseeable future,” said NRD Manager John Thorburn.

Tri-Basin NRD’s board also:
•    Approved one certified irrigated acre transfer and one well permit variance.
•    Approved one well decommissioning cost-share application and three applications for Tri-Basin NRD and NSCWP flowmeter cost-share funds.
    Tri-Basin NRD’s next Board of Directors meeting will be Tuesday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Tri-Basin NRD, 1723 Burlington in Holdrege, Nebraska.

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NEWS RELEASE
October 12, 2016
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:    Nicole Salisbury, Information & Education Coordinator
    Phone 308-995-6688 or email nsalisbury [at] tribasinnrd.org