NORFOLK- Farmers in northeast Nebraska will have more allocated water usage amid extreme drought conditions. During a recent Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District meeting, the body considered a change to its water allocations set upon the district. Back in the fall of 2022, the board of directors set up a 15-acre-inch allocation. Many farmers have been calling for an increase to the allocation citing that it has been devastating to their yields.

“I think we need to be very thoughtful here...what kind of message we're sending here to the public,” said Brian Bruckner, interim general manager. “We’re starting to get calls from folks who are very concerned about water supplies in their areas.” In recent months, the LENRD and a majority of eastern Nebraska has been plagued with extreme and exceptional levels of drought.

A packed audience of farmers spoke out in favor of changing the allocation. Director Jerry Allemann made a proposal to increase the allocation from 15-acre inches to 20-acre inches. Two directors attempted to table the vote to gather additional information but largely failed. The proposal to increase the allocation to 20-acre inches did pass on a 9-3 vote.

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