Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced earlier this month that a preliminary “fully appropriated” designation has been issued for the Platte River Basin upstream of the Missouri River, which includes the Loup River Basin.
If the designation is made permanent, it will bring new water restrictions in the Loup and Elkhorn River Basins.
No new water wells would be allowed in the hydrologically connected area unless a construction permit was issued by the natural resources district before Dec. 16, 2008. Any well constructed with such a permit must comply with state statutes.
In addition, no existing well in the affected basins may be used to increase the number of acres historically irrigated, and no surface water appropriation in the fully appropriated areas may be used to increase the number of acres historically irrigated.
Complete details in the Albion News Print Edition.
