WaterClaim

WaterClaim has obtained via an Open Records request the data that has permitted us to create Google Earth compatible files that show which wells are affected by the State's proposed shut down options.

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These are clips of the files you can see if you are a WaterClaim member. They show whose wells are affected and how much of an affect on the stream the DNR says each well has. The map is zoomable and the transparancy levels are adjustable so you can look at your farm or at the overall picture.

Contact us if you are interested in becoming a member. WaterClaim provides frequent email updates on the water situation.

Posted by Steve Smith at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The State of Nebraska is presenting the NRDs with three options of which it wants the NRDs to adopt one at their December board meetings.

Option 1 – Set the allocation the same for everyone in an NRD.  The allocations would be:

Option 2 – Shut off water use to those close to the stream in water short years.

The number of acres shut off by NRD would be:

Option 3 – Shut off water use to fewer acres but require a 1% annual reduction in water use from all remaining users.

Total acres losing water under option 2 would be 110,000.

Allocations in acre inches

Questions about compensation to those losing the access to water are usually answered by saying that there is no funding available and that, "Yes, it is legal to discriminate where some keep their water and others lose it." 

Options that are not being presented to the NRDs include:

1. Corrections to the Model.
2. Any alternative which requires funding. 

Posted by Steve Smith at 05:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How much of the water in a stream comes from the aquifer and how much from recent precipitation? The method used has a large influence on whether Nebraska is in compliance with the Compact or not.

Base Flow Calculations

Posted by Steve Smith at 02:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A computer simulation is used to model water in the Republican River Basin. This simulation is used to determine whether Nebraska is in compliance with its obligation to Kansas. There is a similar simulation used to model water on the Platte River. In order for the simulations to be useful, they need to accurately measure all water sources and uses.

Unfortunately, in the Republican River Basin, a decision has been made by the State to exclude one of the primary effects on the stream and not measure it. In the Republican River Basin, there are more than a million acres with two foot high dams which are designed to catch water and to slow or prevent that water from getting to the stream. To intentionally exclude this effect from the simulation creates an imbalance in the formulas. Then, to make the system balance, the missing water has to be assigned to some cause. Those making the simulation chose to say all missing water is used by groundwater irrigation, even though that is not true.

Conservation is a tool. It is like fire. Used properly, it is beneficial. But, even beneficial things have effects. Fire produces heat; and, if that is what we want, that is a good thing. But, it also consumes fuel. Which do I value more: the fuel or the heat? Conservation protects the soil, water, and air. Those are good things. But, it also slows or stops some water from getting to the stream. It produces more vegetation. That may or may not be a good thing. Saying that conservation is only good and has no effect is inaccurate. To be fair and honest, all effects should be measured. Hiding some of the options is not honest. Falsely accusing one group in order to protect another is morally wrong.

Posted by Steve Smith at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)