Nebraska Watershed Science

Scroll below to find interactive educational modules. In just a few minutes you can learn about watershed science topics relevant to everyday life in Nebraska.

Modules are organized in two sections:

• Core Modules, shown below, highlight Nebraska’s unique management system
  • Core modules focus on The Process, The People, and The Data and Models involved in managing water resources.
• Technical Modules explain water and natural resources concepts that are critical for management decisions.

Core Modules

At the heart of Nebraska’s water and natural resources management are the local Natural Resources Districts (NRDs). But NRDs cooperate with many other entities and the processes are sometimes complex.

We are working collectively to help you understand how water and natural resources are managed. What is your role in Nebraska’s watershed story?

The following Core Modules will be released in 2020.

Interested in experiencing other modules? You can access Technical Modules below.

Modules may be completed in any order, but are listed in order from more basic to more complex. To start a module, just click on the title image.

After completing each module, please consider sharing your feedback through the survey links.

What is a watershed, and how does watershed delineation help us manage water resources? Learn key watershed characteristics. Identify key stakeholders to involve in watershed management planning. (Send us feedback for this module via online or print survey.)

Learn the basic water balance components for a groundwater system. Use water data and groundwater maps to determine whether a groundwater system is in balance. (Send us feedback for this module via online or print survey.)

How do streams and groundwater interact? Learn how groundwater and surface water levels affect water movement, and understand how pumping can impact streamflow. (Send us feedback for this module via online or print survey.)

Have you ever wondered why groundwater nitrate concentrations vary in aquifers? One reason is that there are substantial lag times between groundwater quality changes and the human activities that cause them. These lags can cause distinct patterns of groundwater age and quality in aquifers. This module introduces the concept of groundwater age and how age information can be used to understand groundwater variables, including nitrate and recharge.

• Modules have been developed in collaboration with the IANR Science Literacy Initiative. Our Curriculum Development Specialist is Erin Ingram.

We also gratefully acknowledge contributions from:

• Lower Platte North Natural Resources District
• Lower Platte South Natural Resources District
• North Platte Natural Resources District
• Upper Loup Natural Resources District
• Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District
• Nebraska Association of Resources Districts
• Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
• Bureau of Sociological Research – University of Nebraska
• Aaron Mittelstet – Biological Systems Engineering
• Aaron Young – Conservation and Survey Division
• Dana Divine – Conservation and Survey Division
• Derrel Martin – Biological Systems Engineering
• Doug Hallum – Conservation and Survey Division
• Katie Pekarek – School of Natural Resources
• Lisa Pennisi – School of Natural Resources
• Mark Burbach – Conservation and Survey Division
• Steve Sibray – Conservation and Survey Division
• Sue Lackey – Conservation and Survey Division

Aerial imagery courtesy of Jesse Korus