July 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Water Committee Meeting

Rationale:  Discussion at Committee: Kody explained to the Committee that the wells would start pumping initially at 800 GPM, but could not keep the flow as the irrigation season continue. 
  
Seyon Farms, with Kody Karloff as tenant, applied for a replacement well permit for G-105753 located in Section 2-14N-9E.  The new well has been drilled but has the same issue as the old well; keeping pressure in the pivot is an issue.  Rod from AWS well drilling notified NRD staff and made them aware that this could be an issue before drilling.   Kody is requesting to keep the old well and join the 2 wells together to help in suppling enough water into the system.  This would require NRD approval to issue a supplemental well permit or convert the replacement well permit to a new permit.  Supplemental well policy is attached along with a map of the location.  This is in the HCA (Blue Area) of the District.   

Below is Rod's reply, attached is the test hole log:
"Hello Daryl,

In regards to the irrigation well (Lutton), the desired flow rate for the system would be 800 gallons per minute (gpm) as originally there are two pivots working off of one well.  The newly constructed well can flow at a rate of approximately 600 GPM so we are proposing to use the old well with the new well and flow each at 400 GPM.  With a total of 800 GPM, this will allow the producer to adequately irrigate the crops.  We are seeking approval for combining two wells with a total flow rate of 800 GPM.
 
Kind Regards,
Rod Wimer


Regards,
Audra Wirth
AWS WELL COMPANY, INC
1597 County Road 10, PO BOX 246
Mead, NE 68041
402-624-3895
 

Rationale: 

As of 7/28/21, the LPNNRD Chemigation Program has 658 active renewal permits and 45 active new permit applications for a current total of 703.
 

	# of Permits	Inspected	Inspections Remaining	Cancellations	Reinspections Completed
New	45	42	2	1
Renewals	658	214	39 (4 reinspections)		14
Total	703	256	41		14

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County

 

Rationale:  An invoice is attached from UNL Water Center for $2,640, which the Board approved this amount at the May Board meeting.  This amount will be submitted to the NET grant for reimbursement.  

Attached is the previous draft proposal for this area. 

Comments from Matt Bailey after a meeting with him, Chris Yosten and Carl Groteluschen along Meghan Langden (UNMC) and Casey Harper (Ag teacher)

Just following up with you on our meeting last week. Here's what I took away as possible BMP's for the area west of Schuyler.
1-Cover Crops. Personally, not super excited about it, but through conversations with agronomists and extension, I understand the concept well enough to think it should be an option.
2- Soybeans.  There's a lot of chemistry on the market for this endeavor. Unfortunately, I haven't found one that works for cheap.  $18-30/acre. Not always a silver bullet either. At least it's a crop we're familiar with and could be easier to incorporate cover crops down the road.
3-Chemigation.  Injection units are around $2000-4000.  It's not for everyone. I've got several systems that, due to age and reliability, I would hesitate to hook up a new injector to. This might encourage spoon-feeding the crop.  Also, possibly eliminates the need for stabilizer. If nothing else, it does mandate some interaction between producers and staff. (site inspection)

Not one of these is a solution. I'm sure of that. They're all places to start.  Definitely conversation starters.  I am super excited about the chance to work with Schuyler Community Schools.  I'm glad the committee is willing to throw so many resources in my backyard. Hopefully they play along.  Julie will be an awesome asset to the team.

Again, thanks for your help.  I really appreciate being in the loop.  Let me know how to help.

Bailey

Staff comments
Cover Crops — NRCS payment multi-species 33.62/acre, Single Species 24.04/acre.   There is 30,840 acres that were reported in 2020.  If 10 percent of these acres planted cover crops that would be 3,084 acres and $103,684 for cover crop payment.  
Soybeans - If cost-share is $25/acre, then that would $77,100 for 10% of the acres.  
Chemigation - There is 328 irrigated fields, so if we cost-share on 10% of these field at $2,000/field that would $65,600.

Total cost for all 3 practices would be $246,384.   If you look at this over 2 years, that would be $492,768 for best management practices.

Other practice ideas 

• Waive the Chemigation Permit fee for 3 – 5 years ($90 for new, $30 for renewal)
• Incentive for decreasing nitrogen use like 25 lbs — $10/acre)
• Reward producers that do extra BMPs.  Like 1 star for one thing, 2 stars for two and so forth. 

Staff has met with Casey Harper (Schuyler Ag teacher) and Julie Kriekemeier (Extension assistance for Colfax County) in hope of increasing the education in the area.  

Attached is an outline of some ideas for education in the Nitrogen Management  Area. 

Committee discussed with staff the different ideas.  It was also suggested considering corn hybrids that developed nodules to supply its own nitrogen and a dedicated demonstration farm.  Staff will continue working in these areas for increase awareness and the possibility of forming an after school Natural Resource Club.   Committee decided to set aside an extra $75,000 in the budget and discuss at a later date on what items to consider for cost-sharing.  Staff will continue to pursue grants to help in the funding.  

Rationale:  An invoice is attached from Phoenix Webgroup for $9,387.50 for updating the online reporting site.  This contract (approved April 2021) was split into 2 payments with the first one at signing and the second payment in the new fiscal year.  

Rationale:  A  quote has been received for $3,042.35 from In-Situ for installing 3 data loggers.  Russ spoke with Dean Grotelueschen when at the Dakota East site.  Dean is David Grotelueschen brother.  He asked Russ if loggers had been installed in the two shelters at their wells.  Now that we’re in new Fiscal Year can cables for the following be ordered?  Dean said they have not yet irrigated from the ‘new’ well and wanted to know if we would install logger before they began pumping.
 

• G-133243 (inactive well - has small shelter and METOS pole/unit in place) - cable length 270’
• G-133949<2R> (second well replacement completed in 2020; has small shelter) - cable length 270’

 Bruce Schmit well is ½ mile from Highway 81 in Butler County.  Small shelter and METOS pole/unit in place at G-035639R - cable length 310’

Rationale:  Staff will go over the budget items at meeting.

Rationale:  This week's beach Bacteria and Harmful Algal Bloom results are now posted on the NDEE web page (Current Health Alerts and Sampling Results For This Week). 
  
Eight beaches will be on "Health Alert" this week. NDEE in conjunction with numerous collaborators monitor public beaches and sample for microcystin, a toxin produced as a result of a Harmful Algal Bloom. A lake that exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin will be placed on "Health Alert". That lake will remain under  "Health Alert" Status until such time that it has tested below 8  ppb. 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. 
 

Current Lakes on HAB* Health Alert
Lake	County	Microcystin (ppb)	Sample Date
Bluestem Lake	Lancaster	14.41	7/19/2021
Calamus Reservoir	Garfield	>35	7/19/2021
Kirkman's Cove Lake	Richardson	8.51	7/19/2021
Maskenthine Reservoir	Stanton	10.43	7/19/2021
Pawnee Lake -- East Beach	Lancaster	14.64	7/19/2021
Pawnee Lake -- West Beach	Lancaster	28.04	7/19/2021
Swan Creek Lake (5A)	Saline	27.56	7/19/2021
Willow Creek Reservoir	Pierce	14	7/19/2021

E. coli bacteria levels measured above 235 colonies/100 ml of sample are considered a higher risk for illness 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 and use their own judgment on their use.
 

Lakes with High E.coli Bacteria
Lake	County	E.coli (mpn)	Sample Date
Branched Oak Lake - Liebers Point Beach	Lancaster	921	7/19/2021
Cottonmill Park Swim Lake	Buffalo	>2419	7/19/2021
Fremont Lake No. 10 (SRA)	Dodge	3725	7/19/2021
Louisville Lake No. 2 (SRA)	Cass	687	7/19/2021
Valentine Mill Pond	Cherry	579	7/19/2021

Sunshine, warm weather and excess nutrients in the water has led to a very large number of lakes being on Health Alert this week. Remember we can not sample all lakes in the state and only sample those that have public beaches or a large number of people coming into contact with the water. It is important that you know what to look for when out at your favorite lake. 

For further information about our BeachWatch Program, E.coli, HABs and the microcystin toxin please visit the links on our BeachWatch website. (https://deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/). This information is updated weekly on our web site.

Rationale:  An invoice is attached from USGS for streamgages and groundwater monitoring well for $17,340.  This is part of the continuing contract with this agency.  Streamgages are located on Shell Creek and Wahoo Creek along with a real-time groundwater monitoring well near Leshara. 

Streamgage information website — https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ne/nwis/rt
Groundwater information website — https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ne/nwis/current/?type=gw