October 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  The variances for the HCA were due on September15th.  Attached is the application ranking sheet and scoring for the Committee consideration.  

The application for Scott Cassels in NW NE S20-16N-9E is applying for a new well for irrigated acres with the main purpose of using cropland for a duck pond. 

There are 12 applications that qualify to be approved in the HCA for 694.90 new irrigated acres. 

Dan Wondercheck application scored 385.78 but had 21.5 percent of Class 6 soils.  Staff will work with Dan on adjusting the pivot location to assist in application approval.  

Rationale:  An application was received from Don Kresl to drill a new well for a portion of the SE and SW S32-15-6E, Saunders County. Don's field scored 338.8 on the ranking sheet.

Bryan Hein's two applications from the August Committee Meeting were postponed to the September Meeting until David City Planning and Zoning approved the applications.  Minutes are attached, which allow Bryan to move forward after 3 test holes are drilled and results reviewed by the NRD before a well permit can be issued.  (attachment)

Bryan discussed with the Committee his applications.  He would like to start with the SE1/4 17-15-3E, east of David City.  He plans on waiting on the other site located in the NW1/4 S7-15-3E, north of David City.  He requested to do only 1 test hole for the site east of David City as there are other irrigation wells in the area.  The Committee would like a PVC tube installed if a well permit is issued for NRD staff to take water level measurements.   

Rationale:  An application was received by Keith Ziegenbein for the SW SW S29-13-9E, Saunders County to drill a new well.  This area is within 1 mile of the HCA area (Blue Area).  As this in the restricted development area, Section P of the Groundwater Rules and Regulations would apply if this moves forward.  This field scored 322.82.

Roland Kavan submitted an application in 2021 for the SW S1-16-5, Ssunders County.  Section P of the Groundwater Rules and Regulations would apply if this moves forward.  This field scored 309.26

Rationale:  A request for well permits for two 50-75 GPM wells for 2 breeding barns for chickens in NW 1/4 S11-15N-2E, Butler County.  
Attached is a map showing the general location of where the barns will be located.  
The committee discussed options as chickens were arriving on October 13th.  A situation where individuals need to check well permitting requirements before proceeding.  They were going to drill 2–45 GPM wells but not connect them with the plan that the Board will approve.  These barns are in a good water area.  

Rationale:  Aylyn Cattau, with Zack Cattau as tenant, wants to add an additional 70 acres of irrigated ground from an existing well (G-167388).  The legal is NW1/4 22-19-1E, Platte County with a portion of the pivot going into Section 15. He is presently irrigating 204.9 irrigated acres.  His average use over the last three years was 5.9 acre inches.  If approved, his new allocation will be 22.36 over the 3-year rolling allocation.  This field scored 468.64.

Map attached and invoice for $5,367.25 from LRE for reevaluating the SQS areas

Rationale:  A hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 13 at 5 pm at the LPNNRD Board Room in Wahoo.  We will take testimony at that time with the plan to review comments at the Committee Meeting on October 30.  

Rationale:  The Nitrogen Reduction Act Program has funding for an additional year. They are accepting applications from producers for the 2026 growing year, and closing the applications on November 15, 2025. This program will be the same as last year with the reduction of 40lbs or 15% nitrogen applied after meeting with NRD Staff and setting a baseline recommended amount. 

Staff has been receiving 2025 growing season information and application rates from last years participants.

Rationale:  Sample result letters will be sent out next week for those who took irrigation samples. 
-137 samples taken.
-132 samples sent out, but not taken.

Rationale:  Electric Tapes 
We currently have four electric tapes. Only two of the four tapes currently work. One of the older tapes is about 25 years old. Proposing to trade in an older electric tape for a newer one. Three quotes are included below. Fall water levels start October 20th.
Heron - $910.20
Fondriest - $918.63
Solinist - $1032

Rationale: 

One new well has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

No wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Rationale:  Staff has sent out cost share reminders for flow meters, and has started to meet with producers going through active and inactive wells. 


We have received flow meter cost share applications from those listed below. 

James Barta	3 Flow Meters
Shell Creek Feeders	1 Flow Meter
Barta Family LLP	1 Flow Meter

We have cost share invoices for 2 Flow Meters for Allan Shonka. 



 

Rationale:  The City of Newman Grove was given bids for well decommissioning and decided to go with the bid from Wiese Waterworks for the project. The open house for Platte Center was held, and the Wellhead Protection Plan was adopted. 

Rationale:  This week's beach Bacteria and Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) results are now posted on the DWEE web page (Current Health Alerts and Sampling Results For This Week).   
  
Rockford Lake in Gage County will remain on Health Alert. Maple Creek Recreation Area Lake will be on Health Alert after testing high for microcystin this week.

Cub Creek Lake in Jefferson County has been removed from Health Alert. 
 
Fremont Lake No. 20 (SRA) tested above 235 colonies/100 mL for E. coli bacteria.

There are 2 beaches on Health Alert this week.

Current Lakes on "Health Alert"
Lake	County	Microcystin (ppb)	Sample Date
Maple Creek Recreation Area Lake	Colfax	12.95	9/29/2025
Rockford Lake	Gage	8.35	9/29/2025

When a lake exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin it will be placed on Health Alert. If a lake is under a Health Alert, signs will be posted recommending people avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. 
There is 1 beach with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 mL.

Lakes with High E.coli Bacteria
Lake	County	E.coli (MPN)	Sample Date
Fremont Lake No. 20 (SRA)	Dodge	2,420	9/29/2025

When E. coli bacteria levels test above 235 colonies/100 mL a Health Alert is not issued. However, conditions are at a higher risk to human health when swimming. Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels. Although, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed water body.
Well, another season of Beach Watch is in the books. We encourage all lake users to be sure to use their best judgement when visiting their favorite lakes this fall. HABs can persist for weeks into the fall. Additionally, lakes that are on Health Alert will remain on Health Alert until such time that the agency that manages those lakes determines they are safe. So, pay attention to the signs and make certain to avoid contact with the water if it appears to contain a HAB.

I would like to take the time to thank our partners who sample the beaches throughout the 22-week season. We could not provide this information on a weekly basis if it wasn’t for them. So, a big thanks to all of the groups listed below.  You are amazing!

• Central District Health Department
• Nebraska Public Power District
• Upper Republican Natural Resource District
• Lower Republican NRD
• South Platte NRD
• Middle Niobrara NRD
• Lower Loup NRD
• Nemaha NRD
• Lower Elkhorn NRD
• United States Army Corps of Engineers.
• And the NDEE Field Staff in Lincoln, Holdrege, North Platte, Scottsbluff, and Chadron

Cheers until next year!

Justin Haas
State Lakes Coordinator
Department of Water, Energy and Environment
245 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
Direct: 402-471-4224 | Main Office: 402-471-2186
 

Rationale:  The Quarterly invoice for $4,212 from USGS for stream gauges on Shell Creek near Columbus and Wahoo Creek at Ashland as agreed to in Joint Funding Agreement between both parties.