Groundwater allocations, pumping restrictions, NRD regulations, and water right disputes are increasingly critical issues for Nebraska irrigators. We help landowners protect their water access.
Nebraska sits atop the Ogallala Aquifer, and for decades, groundwater seemed unlimited. That is no longer the case. Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) across the state are implementing increasingly strict groundwater allocations, drilling moratoriums, and pumping restrictions.
For irrigators, these restrictions directly impact land values and operational profitability. A quarter-section with irrigation rights is worth significantly more than one without. And the regulations are only getting tighter.
We help Nebraska landowners navigate NRD regulations, appeal groundwater allocation decisions, resolve water right disputes, and structure transactions to protect water access when buying or selling irrigated farmland.
Nebraska has 23 NRDs, each with its own set of rules and allocation formulas. Our water and drainage law practice spans the full range of NRD issues across the state.
In parts of Nebraska where irrigation is critical, the difference between irrigated and dryland farmland can be $4,000-$6,000 per acre. On a quarter section, that’s a million-dollar difference in land value — and it’s entirely dependent on water access.
When buying irrigated land, the well permit and groundwater allocation do not automatically transfer. If the NRD has imposed restrictions in your area, the previous owner’s allocation may not carry forward. We’ve seen buyers pay irrigated prices for land and then discover they can’t pump.
Every farm purchase agreement we draft includes specific provisions addressing water rights, well permits, and NRD allocations. This protects the buyer from discovering a water access problem after closing.
We don’t do hourly billing, and we don’t hand you a stack of paper and wish you luck. Our process is designed to be transparent, thorough, and completely finished when we’re done.
We determine which NRD governs your land and review the applicable regulations, allocation formulas, and any pending rule changes that could affect your water access.
We evaluate your current well permits, groundwater allocation, and meter readings. If there’s a problem — reduced allocation, compliance issue, or pending restriction — we identify it.
If you’re challenging an NRD decision, we represent you in the appeals process. If you’re buying or selling irrigated land, we ensure water rights are properly addressed and transferred.
Protecting your access to Nebraska’s most valuable resource.
If your groundwater allocation is reduced or denied, we challenge the decision through the NRD appeals process.
We help irrigators understand and comply with NRD regulations — meter installation, allocation tracking, and reporting.
When buying or selling irrigated land, we ensure water rights transfer properly.
Groundwater access is directly tied to your land’s value and productivity. Schedule a free consultation.
