Monitoring Programs
Accurate, up-to-date information is vital for the NRD's water management efforts. The district operates several monitoring programs to track water quality, quantity, and other factors.
Nitrates/Pesticides
The NRD has been monitoring groundwater quality in the district since 1988, and has two major monitoring programs:
Statewide Groundwater Monitoring Network
Currently the Lower Platte North NRD has 53 wells in the Statewide Groundwater Monitoring Network. The samples are analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen and common pesticides. This program is headed by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. The goal of the project is to provide a broad understanding of the overall groundwater quality in the state. LPNNRD began sampling for the statewide network in 2004.
Aquifer Groundwater Monitoring
The NRD also performs a more intensive sampling program that focuses on one of the four major aquifer regions in the district each year. Irrigation wells are sampled for nitrate-nitrogen and some are tested for pesticides.
Groundwater Levels
With the help of area cooperators, a groundwater energy level monitoring network has been established in the Lower Platte North NRD to track changes in groundwater levels.
Currently there are 141 wells in the NRD's monitoring network. These wells are measured twice a year (once in the fall, once in the spring). The district also operates several dedicated monitoring wells that continually log water levels.
The diagram below shows changes in ground water energy levels in the four major aquifer regions from spring 2007 to spring 2008. The green numbers show the median change in feet.
Ultrasonic Flow Meter
To help producers determine how much water their irrigation wells are actually using, the Lower Platte North NRD has a portable flow meter. The ultrasonic flow meter is a portable, microprocessor-based instrument used to measure the flow of water and other homogenous liquids. The instrument is non-invasive, which means that it is not mounted in-line; instead, it is strapped to the outside of the pipe. Its transducers (sensors) are mounted to the pipe and flow measurements can be made without stopping the water flow or physically contacting the water in any way.
The fee for a flow test is $20 for the first well and $5 for each additional well. If NRD staff are already performing other field work with the operator, the $20 fee for the first well is reduced to $5. In Phase II areas, the fee is waived.
To schedule a flow meter test, contact Russell Oaklund.
Precipitation Gauging
A district-wide precipitation gauging network has been set up in the Lower Platte North NRD, consisting of 26 sites as of spring 2001. Twelve of the sites are owned and operated by the High Plains Regional Climate Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The remaining sites are NRD stations, maintained by cooperating landowners in the district.
Precipitation information is useful when merged with other district water programs, including ground water quality sampling, ground water energy levels, stream gauging, and others.
NeRain
NeRain is a program which uses NRD-coordinated volunteers across the state to monitor and report rainfall to the Department of Natural Resources. The Lower Platte North NRD will join this program in fall 2006.
Surface Water Sampling Program
The NRD cooperates with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to monitor toxic blue-green algae and bacteria (E. coli) at Fremont Lakes. Weekly samples are taken from the beach at Fremont Lake #9, #10, #20 and at the boat dock at Fremont Lake #20. The beach at Fremont Lake #20 was temporarily closed when it reached Health Alert status in 2006 and 2005 due to elevated levels of toxic algae. Check weekly results and get more information on bacteria and toxic blue green algae at http://www.ndeq.state.ne.us/
Stream Gauging
The NRD no longer has a dedicated stream gauging program, but it does track several stream gauging sites maintained by the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey.
More Information
For more information or questions about the NRD's monitoring programs, please contact Water Resources Manager Larry Angle.