It monitors Platte flows from the Wyoming border to Columbus. Target flows were not met. Bleed said a lot of irrigators who have access to storage water have been using that as an alternative source. Those who aren't as fortunate need to make some decisions on whether they will continue and if they should continue planting as many acres as they have, she said. Groundwater level drops likely While Central Platte Natural Resources District won't have statistics on groundwater levels until a month after the irrigation season ends, NRD Manager Ron Bishop anticipates that groundwater levels will drop this year.
Corn needs so much water to mature.
If it's not through the soil profile and there is no rain, it has to be made up through irrigation water. Kevin Breece, water management specialist for Natural Resources Conservation service in Grand Island, said he thought that ground water levels would recharge by spring. Corn needs about 10 inches of supplemental irrigation water per acre, Bishop said. That amount could rise to as much as 15 to 17 inches this year, he said. Sherman's water levels drop Sherman Reservoir's levels dropped 14.5 feet this summer, said Darwin Lee, Farwell Irrigation District project manager.