Last year, in a proactive measure and in response to the acute drought that took a commanding grip in Northeast Nebraska, the LENRD (Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District) implemented restrictions on wells pumping over 50 gallons per minute, until the drought decreases in intensity.
Initially, the Board had voted to limit municipal water supply wells to 250 gallons per day per capita for any city or town in a D3 or D4 designation, while irrigation wells (that do not already have an allocation) would be limited to 15 inches per acre for each certified irrigated acre for any well located in a designated D3 or D4 area.
After hearing from their constituents on the severity of the current situation for many producers with sandy soils, the board discussed the possibility of adjusting the inches previously allocated. At their June meeting, the Board voted to increase the 15 inches per acre limit to 20 inches per acre, for any well located in a designated D3 or D4 area.
