Crystal Powers - Water and Cropping Systems Extension Educator

Register Now for the  2026 Water and Natural Resources Tour June 22-24, 2026

Register Now for the 2026 Water and Natural Resources Tour June 22-24, 2026

Join the Nebraska Water Center and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District as we experience the Republican Basin. We’ll go behind the scenes and meet the experts to get a first-hand look at water and natural resources in southwestern Nebraska.

 

Haskell Ag Lab hosts Nitrate and Beyond for safe drinking water

Haskell Ag Lab hosts Nitrate and Beyond for safe drinking water

Concord, Nebraska – March 25, 2026 – Join the Haskell Ag Lab and Nebraska Extension for Nitrate and Beyond: Ensuring your family has safe water on April 30, 2026, from 5:30 to 7pm.

Whether you rely on city water or draw from a private well, understanding how to test and treat drinking water for contaminants is essential for protecting your family’s well‑being. Join us for a community‑focused lecture that breaks down the hidden risks—like bacteria, nitrates, and other pollutants—and shows how proper testing and treatment can keep every household safe. 

Drought leads to continued groundwater declines

Drought leads to continued groundwater declines

The 2026 Nebraska Groundwater-Level Report highlights declines across 62% of wells over the last year due to the ongoing drought. Pockets of improving conditions from better rainfall also appear. UNL CSD, led by Aaron Young, compiles annual groundwater-level data from 5,000 wells into detailed maps. Read more to find out your local conditions.

2026 Nitrogen Challenge continues with 'Shop Talk'

2026 Nitrogen Challenge continues with 'Shop Talk'

Join us for this opportunity to dig deeper and 'talk

Nebraska Beach Monitoring

Nebraska Beach Monitoring

Are you planning a day at the lake?  Did you know you can check on the water quality before you head out?

Nitrate in Nebraska

From increased water bills to closed lakes to tainted drinking water, high nitrate levels are affecting thousands of Nebraskans. Nitrate can’t be seen or smelled, but it is in Nebraska’s groundwater, which is the source of drinking water for much of the state. Nitrate also contaminates surface water such as streams and lakes. 
Nebraska Nitrate Working Groups - Summary and Call for Action

Nebraska Nitrate Working Groups - Summary and Call for Action

Collaborating organizations Aubudon Nebraska
Hydro-tourism Focus for Spring Water Seminar Series

Hydro-tourism Focus for Spring Water Seminar Series

2022 Water Seminar series will highlight the significance that water holds in and around Nebraska and its ability to bring people from all walks of life together. The series is organized by The Nebraska Water Center, in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources.
Know Your Well Project Educating a New Generation on the Importance of Safe Drinking Water for Nebraska

Know Your Well Project Educating a New Generation on the Importance of Safe Drinking Water for Nebraska

Know Your Well project has been teaching high school students about sampling drinking water since 2017. Read these students' stories and the ongoing impact of this program.

Economic Impact of the Irrigation Equipment and Services Industry

A new study by University of Nebraska's DWFI and NDMC measured the economic impact of the irrigation industry in the United States and found that it has been growing by 2% per year since 2010 with a direct economic impact of nearly $9 billion and indirect impacts of $23.3 billion.
Join Citizen Science + Water Quality

Join Citizen Science + Water Quality

Join over 800 Nebraskans who are already exploring our water! This FREE Water Quality Testing program for plant nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate) is seeking volunteers to join the fourth year of testing surface and groundwater in Nebraska. Learn more and sign up by visiting go.unl.edu/wqcs
Join us for the Platte River Basin Conference

Join us for the Platte River Basin Conference

The 2022 Platte River Basin Conference and 3rd Playa Research Symposium will be held Monday, October 24th to Thursday, October 27th at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, Nebraska. Join leaders from Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and beyond to discuss the interrelated perspectives needed to create vibrant, resilient solutions for the future of the people and wildlife who depend on the Platte River Basin. Conference topics include: