Lower Elkhorn NRD Approves Funding for Water Projects

NORFOLK, Nebraska – The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors conducted their October 2026 meeting and approved the use of funding to move important water projects forward.

The first water related project up for discussion was the consideration of a Scope of Work provided by Long Spring Consulting to conduct a Stream Depletion Sensitivity Analysis for the Lower Elkhorn NRD’s Groundwater Model.  In preparation for the calculation of the next increment of available depletions for the Lower Platte River Management Plan the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) will be using the model to calculate stream depletion factors and boundary locations within the Lower Elkhorn NRD.

“There’s a need to better understand and refine the stream depletion analysis to resolve these issues before producing a more reliable final delineation of hydrologically connected areas within the Lower Elkhorn NRD," said Lower Elkhorn NRD General Manager Brian Bruckner.

The primary objectives of this work are to: 

• Conduct a sensitivity analysis of streambed hydraulic conductivity to address the noise and mass-balance issues observed in the current depletion results; 
• Analyze the relationship between evapotranspiration and stream depletion in the flagged areas of the model; and 
• Analyze the pumping layer assignment used in the cycle-well analysis. 

District staff offered the recommendation to utilize locally budgeted funds to facilitate this work, but it was decided by the Board to accept the Scope of Work, contingent on the commitment of 50% of the cost from DWEE. Bruckner indicated that he would contact DWEE Director Jesse Bradley to ask for financial commitment from DWEE on behalf of the Lower Elkhorn NRD.

Also discussed and approved was the acceptance of a funding agreement between the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment for the implementation of the Village of Craig Regionalization Project. The village approached the Logan East Rural Water System (LERWS), (which is owned and operated by the LENRD), several years ago requesting the option of connecting to LERWS. After several years of effort, a grant funding offer was provided in the amount of $1.5 million which can be used to offset expenses incurred by LERWS in facilitating the connection. The Board authorized the General Manager to sign and accept the agreement on behalf of the Lower Elkhorn NRD. Bruckner added, “While there are still many important decisions and steps that lie ahead, the availability of these funds is crucial in ensuring that this endeavor can move forward to the next level.” 

In other business, the Lower Elkhorn NRD accepted a bid from Trees Are Us in Hemingford, Nebraska, to purchase a new tree planting unit for $9,500, which will be used to replace an older unit. The Board also approved the 2027 meeting schedule, making one change via an amendment to the schedule initially presented by staff.