The Amazing Resource Under Our Feet

Recently everyone has been staring at the sky in amazement at a natural resource we all usually take for granted but what about the one beneath our feet?  Groundwater. The Upper Loup NRD takes great care to protect groundwater quality as well as quantity to make sure there is safe, useable water for the next generation.

            One way the ULNRD protects groundwater quality is by issuing chemigation permits and inspecting all chemigation systems to make sure they are not, in any way, releasing chemicals back into the groundwater. The district also provides cost share to help with well decommissioning to prevent contaminants from entering the groundwater through old unused wells.

The Upper Loup NRD conducts domestic well quality checks to insure the safety of the residents in the district. These checks test for nitrate-nitrogen which is especially harmful to infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly. If you would like your well tested just give us a call at the office. Also by special request, we can test for bacteria such as coliform which causes gastrointestinal problems.

The ULNRD also provides cost share for drip wells to insure no excess oil leaks into the groundwater from over oiling irrigation wells. We are very lucky in our area to have few water quality problems.

            The Upper Loup NRD is also always measuring groundwater quantity in our area. The district has a network of over 100 observation wells to monitor static groundwater level changes. The district is also implementing flow meters on all irrigation wells to help monitor the districts usage to make sure and not overuse the water available to us. Cost share for groundwater moisture sensors are also available to producers in our district.

            Monitoring groundwater levels and trends are one of the factors the Board of Directors reviews when deciding whether to allow new irrigated acres in the district. Acres are only usually approved if there are no significant changes in groundwater levels from previous years use. This year the board has decide to allow new acres for 2018. There will be 2,500 acres available throughout the district. To apply for these acres please call our office or stop in for more info. Applications are due September 31^st.

So, while your still in awe from the solar eclipse don’t forget about the immense resource we are so lucky to have beneath our feet here in the Sandhills. And don’t forget the Upper Loup NRD is looking out for that resources safety. For more info contact us at 308-645-2250 or ulnrd@upperloupnrd.org or visit our website upperloupnrd.org!