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The latest data from researchers at UNL show groundwater levels in Nebraska generally slowed their decline last year and even rose in some areas of the state.
Mark Burbach, who coordinates UNL's annual mapping of groundwater level changes, says above-normal precipitation, well-timed rains and more efficient irrigation practices all may be factors in the relatively good news reflected on the latest groundwater level maps.
Unfortunately, none of that applies to the Panhandle.
Burbach says the rains missed the high plains, and underground water levels continued to decline. The spring readings showed a yearly decline between 1-and-5 feet in Box Butte County and the Pumpkin Creek and Lodgepole Creek watersheds.
Burbach's maps and report are based measurements from nearly 6,000 wells taken by the state's 23 natural resources districts as well as the U.S. Geological Survey, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and UNL.
One-year increases were seen along the Platte River from Columbus to Fremont, south into Butler and Saunders counties and north into Dodge County. Increases also were recorded in central Nebraska along the Platte and Republican rivers.
Mike Jess, associate director of the UNL Water Center and former head of water resources for the state, says the long-term picture shows groundwater declines over the past 50 years in areas with extensive center pivot irrigation.
Box Butte, Chase, Perkins and Dundy Counties all show drops of more than 40 feet over that time. Declines of 20-feet or less are seen along the Platte River and its tributaries in east-central Nebraska.
Jess said the groundwater-level maps show the economic pressures to irrigate remain strong, but also show the vast quantities of groundwater in the state will allow irrigation to continue for -- in his words -- a long, long time.
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