The groundwater level across the Lower Loup NRD in the spring of 2007 saw an average 0.16 foot decline from levels in the spring of 2006. The size of the NRD should be considered when evaluating this data since the Lower Loup encompasses all or part of 16 counties. There were some locations that did see a rise in groundwater levels.
Lower Loup Natural Resources District technicians take measurements of groundwater levels in wells across the NRD on an annual basis. By measuring those static water levels each year, fluctuations in groundwater levels can be monitored.
The Lower Loup staff monitors 316 wells across the District. NRD techs measure groundwater levels in these wells twice a year. The measurements are taken in the fall and the spring. The spring data shows how much re-charge has taken place in groundwater levels over the winter.
On a county by county basis, some locations in the Lower Loup NRD saw slight increases while others saw slight declines. The average rise or decline in groundwater levels for each county or portion of a county in the Lower Loup NRD from spring 2006 to spring 2007 follows:
Boone + 0.36 ft.
Buffalo - 0.90 ft.
Custer - 0.54 ft.
Garfield - 0.27 ft.
Greeley - 0.48 ft.
Howard - 0.01 ft.
Loup + 0.16 ft.
Merrick + 2.03 ft.
Nance + 0.21 ft.
Platte + 0.41 ft.
Rock - 0.06 ft.
Sherman - 0.01 ft.
Valley - 0.44 ft.
Wheeler - 0.39 ft.
Keep in mind that only a small portion of Merrick County, primarily the Palmer area, is located within the boundaries of the Lower Loup NRD. Data from the correspondingly few wells monitored there should not be considered a reflection of groundwater levels countywide.
