Q: Why does Central care about integrated management?

A: Central uses Platte River water for a number of uses, including irrigation, hydropower, in-stream flows and groundwater recharge. Because Central and its customers rely on water from Lake McConaughy for both electricity and water, the economic well-being and vitality of the region is susceptible to impacts from increases in groundwater use above Lake McConaughy.

For example, during the most recent drought period—from 2001 to 2008—water levels in Lake McConaughy dropped to historic lows and the lake was largely prevented from running out of water due to reduced irrigation deliveries by Central customers. During this time, upstream groundwater use continued at nearly pre-drought levels.

Q: Why should Nebraskans care about integrated water management?

A: All Nebraskans should share the desire to see our water resources managed in a balanced fashion. Central believes stream flow depletions due to groundwater pumping above Lake McConaughy not only have reduced inflows into the lake, but have also caused reductions in water available for irrigation, power production and in-stream flows throughout Nebraska’s central Platte River basin and Republican River Valley. These reduced flows have an effect on all aspects of life on both rivers, from wildlife, recreation and commerce, to tourism and agriculture.

Q: Why isn’t current legislation sufficient to protect the district’s surface water?

A: While LB 962 was a step in the right direction, it’s not comprehensive enough. Under current statutes, NRDs possess much of the regulatory authority necessary to manage hydrologically connected groundwater uses in ways that protect rivers and streams, while resolving conflicts with surface water users. Current legislation is missing the obligation to protect rivers and streams, so while the authority is present, the clear obligation to protect is not.

Q: Isn’t the prolonged drought the root of the problem?

A: While drought is the largest single factor, depletions in water supplies from increased groundwater use are substantial—and are the only factor that can be controlled.

For example: during the recent severe drought, it was the additional depletions from groundwater use that created the difference between adequate and inadequate inflows to Lake McConaughy. A comprehensive study estimated that upstream groundwater development has depleted inflows to the reservoir by more than 100,000 acre-feet per year, causing the lake to drop to a historic low level as recently as late-2008.

Without the depletions from additional upstream pumping, there would have been enough water in storage for full irrigation deliveries, and higher lake levels for recreation and additional hydroelectric generation. There would also have been more water in the reservoir’s Environmental Account for endangered species along the Platte River and more water flowing underground to the Republican River Basin throughout the drought.

Q: Does Central want to get rid of the NRDs in integrated management?

A: No. The NRDs are very important to integrated management. Decisions on how to best use limited supplies should be made at the local level and NRDs have expertise and perspective that is an important part of the integrated management solution. The primary concern is that it is unreasonable to expect local decision-makers to voluntarily make significant reductions in local use to protect interests outside their area. It’s going to require a fresh look at how we’re regulating our ground and surface water.