News

Spring groundwater measurements showed a district-wide average decline of 0.42 feet from 2025 and 1.22 foot decline compared to the 1982 baseline year. CPNRD’s Groundwater Management Plan establishes maximum acceptable groundwater level declines and safety margins for each of the district’s 26 Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs). Based on the 2026 measurements, two GMAs have moved […]

On May 28, 2026, the Central Platte NRD Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at the CPNRD office, 215 N. Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island. Tricia Dudley, Water Quality Specialist for the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD), updated the Board on certified letters recently sent to producers who are in […]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026 CPNRD OFFICE: 215 KAUFMAN AVENUE, GRAND ISLAND, NE Central Platte NRD Board to Issue Cease-and-Desist Orders for Nitrogen Management Violations Tricia Dudley, Water Quality Specialist for the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD), updated the Board on certified letters recently sent to producers who are in […]

Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival One Week Away— Volunteers and Professional Presenters Bring Learning to Life With just one week to go, excitement is building for the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival on Tuesday, May 12, when 800 fifth-grade students from across the state will gather in Grand Island for a full day of hands-on learning about […]

Drought Planning Groups Across State Urge Public to Conserve Water The Platte Basin Coalition, the Lower Platte River Drought Consortium, the Republican River Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), and the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) are urging the public to utilize water conservation best practices due to ongoing drought conditions across Nebraska. As […]

Sensor-Based Nutrient Management Cost-Share Rate Increased The CPNRD Board approved an increase to the District’s Sensor-Based Nutrient Management cost-share rate, raising the payment from $11 per acre to $13.50 per acre with a two-year commitment effective February 26, 2026. The program covers 75% of the service fee, to support producers in using data-driven nitrogen management […]

Central Platte NRD Board Takes Action on Flood Reduction Plans In 2020, the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) was selected to receive three Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) grants from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to evaluate flood risks and identify potential solutions within the Elm–Turkey Creeks, Spring–Buffalo Creek, and […]

The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) has entered into an agreement to develop a Watershed Plan and environmental assessment (Watershed Plan-EA) for the Spring Creek Watershed under the Watershed & Flood Prevention Operations Program (WFPO) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). A public meeting was held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, to […]

Whole field approach helps producers transition flood-prone cropland to pasture and maximize irrigation efficiency Gayle Marsh says one thing has made his family farm in central Nebraska successful for four generations: frugality. Whether it was his great grandfather walking to Nebraska from Illinois because taking the train was too costly while going on-foot was free, […]