Watersheds

Everyone lives in a watershed. A watershed is the land area that contributes water to a location, usually a stream, pond, lake or river. Everything that we do on the surface of our watershed impacts the water quality of our streams, wetlands, ponds, lakes and rivers. What happens in one locality affects other downstream areas.

Impact of Irrigation Technologies on Water Use: Clarifying Water Withdrawals and Consumptive Use
Thursday January 19, 2023

Impact of Irrigation Technologies on Water Use: Clarifying Water Withdrawals and Consumptive Use

A new Nebraska Extension NebGuide clarifies the concept of consumptive use of water with regard to irrigated crop production and provides guidelines for determining the efficiency of new irrigation technology.
Water for Food Conference to Address Water and Food Security in a Changing World
Friday April 7, 2023

Water for Food Conference to Address Water and Food Security in a Changing World

This year's conference will focus on innovative ways to improve water and food security by increasing farmers’ resiliency to a changing landscape.
Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 1
Thursday April 20, 2023

Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 1

This new series by Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone highlights the main rivers in Nebraska and their impacts across the Midwest and Northern Plains. Part 1 of a six-part series that will cover the major rivers and their respective drainages found in Nebraska, with some geography and history about Nebraska’s rivers.
Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 3
Friday May 19, 2023

Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 3

Part 3 of the Nebraska Rivers series focuses on the Loup River drainage system, which originates in the Sandhills.
Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 2
Friday May 5, 2023

Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 2

Part 2 of a six-part series that will cover the major rivers and their respective drainages found in Nebraska, with some geography and history about Nebraska’s rivers.
Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 4
Friday June 2, 2023

Major Nebraska Rivers and Their Drainages: Part 4

Featuring the Republican River, which holds the record for the worst flood in Nebraska history.
Wednesday January 28, 2026

Nebraska Water Facts

Nebraska means “flat water” from the Omaha Sioux “ni braska” and Oto “ni brathge”/ Nebraskier describing the Platte River. The Platte River was named by early French explorers, also meaning “flat.” The Panhandle is almost 6.5 times higher elevation than the Southeast. (5,424 ft above sea level versus 840 ft). Southeast NE receives 2.5 times as much annual precipitation as the Panhandle (average 33” versus 13”).
Full Soil Water Profile Encouraged to Finish Crops Before Harvest
Monday August 26, 2024

Full Soil Water Profile Encouraged to Finish Crops Before Harvest

As surface/canal water usually curtails mid-September, extension recommends that Nebraska Panhandle producers ensure their soil water profiles are full to sustain crops through to harvest.

Everyone lives in a watershed. A watershed is the land area that contributes water to a location, usually a stream, pond, lake or river. Everything that we do on the surface of our watershed impacts the water quality of our streams, wetlands, ponds, lakes and rivers. What happens in one locality affects other downstream areas.