Fall 2021 Edition
Nitrogen Levels in Groundwater Lead to Increased Management
After lively debate, two zones of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District are moving from Phase II management to Phase III management as of January 1, 2022. This change is due to elevated median levels of nitrate in the groundwater in these areas. The Upper Big Blue NRD is divided into 12 groundwater quality Management Zones. The median nitrate value for that zone determines the phase of management and therefore, rules and regulations. According to the NRD’s Rule 5, a zone will move into Phase II management at 7 milligrams of nitrogen per liter (mg/L) in median samples and into Phase III at 10 milligrams per liter. More...

Nitrates in Groundwater Trending Upward
Groundwater nitrates are a growing concern across the U.S., especially in Nebraska where over 80 percent of the water consumed by its population is groundwater. The Upper Big Blue NRD has been monitoring groundwater quality since 1997 through a network of irrigation, municipal, dedicated monitoring, and domestic wells the district refers to as GWMA#2 (Groundwater Management Area #2). The GWMA#2 is comprised of twelve management zones delineated based on aquifer properties, land use, and geologic formation (see map above). These graphs show the median nitrate level and trend of each management zone over the last 10 years.
An Update From Hastings Utilities with Marty Stange
The Hastings Aquifer Storage and Restoration (ASR) Project continues to meet several milestones in providing a secured source of potable water for the City of Hastings and its wholesale customers. The ASR project not only benefits the drinking water public but it is essential for sustaining our regional economic viability. Learn More...
GWMA #2 Producer Survey
Operators of wells within our Groundwater Monitoring Well Network should have received a land practice survey along with their nitrate results this year. The purpose of this survey is to help us understand what is going on at the land surface as it directly relates to the quality of heberthe groundwater. The survey focuses on nitrogen application, as well as irrigation usage. Operators should expect to receive this survey annually for the next few years. This survey will not be used to single anyone out over their land practices. Paper copies of the survey can be sent back to our office, or they can be filled out online. To unlock the survey, you will need to know your well registration number (found on your results letter). 
Online Reporting: New Dashboard!
The Upper Big Blue NRD has updated the online reporting portal. We listened to users’ feedback and have been able to incorporate many of your suggestions into this latest version.
Cereal Rye: Cold Hardy Cover Crop, Ideal After Corn & Soybeans
The hardiest of cereals, rye can be seeded later in the fall than other cover crops and still provide benefits such as significant reduction of nitrate leaching and exceptional weed suppression. Rye is the best cool-season option for absorbing unused soil nitrogen. Learn More...
Groundwater Quality Sampling
Currently, there are 287 wells in the Upper Big Blue NRD water quality network that are regularly sampled. Thank you to all network irrigation, domestic, and monitoring well owners for your continued cooperation. Protecting groundwater quality is an important task and your support is valuable. 

Learn More...
SDI Systems & Chemigation
Chemigation is an efficient and easy way to put your chemical onto the field. Many producers in the district use this application method to put fertilizer on as the crop needs it and do so by injecting chemicals into their pivot systems to get a uniform distribution of the correct concentration of fertilizer. Learn More...
On-Farm Research Program Seeks New Projects & Producers
Producers who wish to find scientific answers to agronomic questions can work with University Extension to design trials and collect data throughout the growing season. The Upper Big Blue NRD will continue to partner with local producers and University of Nebraska Extension in the university’s On-Farm Research Program in 2022. Learn More...
Upcoming Events
Project GROW Winter Workshop
LOCATION
Holthus Convention Center (York)

DATE AND TIME
12/07/21 8:00am - 12/07/21 4:00pm

RSVP by December 1 if you plan to attend.
I'll be there!
Maybe.
I can't make it.
***Attendance at this workshop counts toward Phase II & III Management Area Certification***

CCA Credits Available

Please RSVP by December 1 for this FREE educational event.
  • Dr. Jill Clapperton, Soil Health Expert and Principal Scientist at Rhizoterra, Inc
  • Al Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist
  • Ron Jakubowski, Aurora Coop
  • Jack Fenske, York Commodities
  • Debbie Reed, Ecosystem Services Market Consortium
  • Jakin Berns and Davis Behle, Green Cover Seed
  • Laila Puntel, UNL
  • Jacob Fritton, The Nature Conservancy
  • Harvey Cool, Bayer Crop Science
  • Crystal Powers, Nebraska Water Center
  • Jeremy Milander, Nebraska Extension
  • Tim Mundorf, Central Valley Ag
Nitrogen Management Training Dates
Upper Big Blue NRD Trainings

  • Dec. 7 | Holthus Convention Center | Project GROW Winter Workshop | Morning and afternoon sessions beginning at 8:15 and 12:45 
  • Dec. 17 | Harvest Hall | Seward | 9 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
  • Jan. 13 | Holthus Convention Center | York | 9:00-11:00 a.m. 
  • Feb. 16 | Leadership Center | Aurora | 9:00-11:00 a.m. 
  • Mar. 15 | Holthus Convention Center | York | 6:30-8:30 p.m. 

Little Blue NRD Trainings 

  • Dec. 10 | Hastings (TBA) | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Online training also available at https://littlebluenrd.org