PROTECTING LIVES
Ensuring safe drinking water and protect public health through:
High Capacity Well Permitting & Monitoring: We evaluate and regulate groundwater use to maintain aquifer health and prevent resource conflicts, especially in high-demand areas.
Nitrate Management & Groundwater Testing: We conduct regular water quality testing and maintain Phase II Groundwater Management Areas to address nitrate contamination. Educational outreach and cost-share opportunities help producers reduce nutrient leaching and improve water safety.
West Knox Rural Water System Partnership: We support the delivery of clean, reliable water to rural residents and communities. Recent investments include the installation of remote-read meters, funded by a WSF grant, improving monitoring accuracy and service reliability.
PROTECTING PROPERTY
We help protect landowners and communities from environmental hazards through:
Flood Control Projects: LNNRD maintains and monitors a network of flood control dams and structures across the district to minimize flood damage during heavy rainfall events.
Soil Conservation Programs: Our cost-share initiatives help farmers implement terraces, grassed waterways, cover crops, and other erosion-reduction practices that preserve soil integrity and productivity.
Tree Planting & Windbreaks: We offer planning, planting, and maintenance services to help landowners install shelterbelts and windbreaks that protect homes, livestock, and cropland from wind and snow.
PROTECTING THE FUTURE
We are building long-term resilience through:
Water Sustainability Fund (WSF) Projects: We leverage state funding to upgrade infrastructure like remote meter reading, improve efficiency, and ensure sustainable resource use for years to come.
Youth Education & Outreach: We engage students through classroom visits, conservation poster contests, field days, and hands-on learning to cultivate the next generation of conservationists.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Through our Water Reduction Cost-Share Program, we support producers in collecting accurate water usage data to better inform irrigation management and reduce overapplication.
Collaborative Research & Planning: We partner with NRDs across the Niobrara Basin and agencies like NDNR and UNL Extension to conduct resource assessments and develop region-wide strategies for water and land stewardship.