Water News Archive

Friday, March 30, 2018

Zebra Mussels in Nebraska

Boating season is once again upon us and it is time to remember to clean, drain and dry watercrafts, angling equipment and any other items that come in contact with a waterbody between uses. Zebra mussels, an invasive small mussel species, can live out of water for up to 2 weeks in the summer time in the right conditions and cleaning, draining and drying watercrafts and equipment for at least 5 days before launching in a different waterbody is pertinent. Currently there is no effective way to eliminate 100% of zebra mussels from a waterbody so prevention is key.

Friday, March 23, 2018

So What Are We Actually Measuring

When properly calibrated, soil water sensors can give irrigators an accurate measurement of how much water is currently available, and how much has been depleted, in the soil for the crop. When used along with weather data and crop water use data, this accurate measurement of soil water can help irrigators make a more informed decision on when irrigation should start, how much to apply, and when to quit irrigating. When looking at sensors, be sure to have an understanding of soil water content and how they actually measure soil water.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Salt-Free Water "Softener" Alternatives

In recent years several emerging non-chemical technologies based on a variety of physical phenomena have entered the market to aid consumers in addressing the problems caused by hard water. These are an alternative to a traditional ion exchange water softener. Generally these technologies do not remove most of the hardness minerals from the water, but reduce the problems associated by the hardness.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Planting for Water Savings

Planting for Water Savings

Spring will be here before we know it, which is very exciting for plant enthusiasts. We can get outside and do some cleanup once it starts to get warm. Don’t get too excited though, winter could still show up for a couple more months. One thing you can do now, though, is plan your garden.

Choose Well-Adapted Plants

Monday, February 26, 2018

Lake Management Workshops

Spring will be here before we know it and that means enjoying the outdoors! Its time for kayaking, swimming and fishing. And, if you are a pond or lake owner, it's time to think about what kind of management strategies you will use for your pond or lake this year.

Friday, February 23, 2018

National Groundwater Awareness Week

Friday, February 16, 2018

Improved Use Efficiency of Applied Organic Nitrogen

Land application of organic materials for soil management in Nebraska is important. The availability of applied organic N and the fertilizer N substitution values of applied organic materials is not well predicted. The uncertainty of applied organic N availability leads to over-application of fertilizer N resulting in low efficiency of applied N use. Research has been done to validate or adapt canopy sensor guided in-season N application practices for fields with manure or other organic material applied, and to improve the prediction of the fertilizer N substitution values for organic materials.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

UNL - Testing Ag Performance Solutions (UNL-TAPS)

A new University of Nebraska-Lincoln led partnership is helping agricultural producers explore emerging technologies and identify ways to strengthen profitability without increasing risk.

Friday, January 26, 2018

CropWater App

The UNL CropWater App. A handy tool for irrigators to use in the field to aid in irrigation scheduling.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Check your water system as part of your New Year Resolutions

The new year is a time where we all make goals and a plan of attack for the upcoming 12 months. We often think of things we will do to improve our health, save money or be more organized in all or part of our daily lives. One way to take steps to be more organized and also protect your and others’ health as well as the environment is to get reacquainted with your water system--both your drinking well and your on-site wastewater system—and to establish a testing and maintenance schedule for the upcoming months.