Results of Test-Hole Drilling for Observation Well Planning in the Upper Loup Natural Resources District, Fall 2016

The High Plains Aquifer underlies much of Nebraska (Figure 1). It is the primary source of groundwater within the Upper Loup Natural Resources District (ULNRD) of central Nebraska (Figure 2). Water derived from the aquifer is an important natural resource for the area and supplies water for recreation, wildlife and agriculture, as well as domestic, municipal, and industrial uses. A general lack of water level observations in the region (Figure 3), recently developed groundwater irrigated acres along the upper Calamus River (Figure 4), falling spring water levels measured in existing irrigation wells (Figure 5), and a stable to falling stream gage since 2010 on the Calamus River near Harrup (Figure 6) have raised concerns about possible changes in water availability, groundwater-surface water relationships and water quality in the area, prompting the ULNRD to propose collection of baseline data in the region. The Conservation and Survey Division (CSD) was enlisted by the ULNRD to conduct a test-hole drilling study of the area. The purpose of this study was to obtain hydrogeological data that would assist the ULNRD with the planning, placement, and design of observation wells in southern Brown and eastern Blaine Counties. Four priority areas were selected to increase the spatial density of CSD test holes and NRD monitoring wells to better identify conditions along the Calamus and North Loup Rivers. Three test holes were drilled between September 27 and October 13, 2016. Hydrogeological data collected from the test holes supplied information from which observation well specifications were derived. As a result, observation wells were constructed in October 2016. . Additionally, this study provided training to ULNRD staff on procedures for test-hole drilling and the design and placement of future observation wells

Aquifers of Nebraska II: The Niobrara Aquifer

The marine shale, chalk, marl, and chalky limestone of the Niobrara Formation directly underlie Quaternary sediments in 23 counties from south-central to northeastern Nebraska. Nevertheless, the formation serves as an aquifer only in and around Cedar, Madison, and Nuckolls counties. Niobrara aquifer wells mostly supply irrigation, domestic, and livestock needs. Two hundred of the approximately 230 active registered wells in Nebraska that are screened entirely in the Niobrara aquifer are in Cedar County and environs. About another 200 wells in this area are screened in both the Niobrara aquifer and overlying Quaternary sediments. Wells screened entirely in the Niobrara aquifer in Cedar County range in total depth from about 50 to 220 ft (15 to 67 m) in both confined and unconfined hydraulic conditions. One-fifth of these wells yield 500 gpm (1,900 lpm) or more. Groundwater in the aquifer generally flows north-northeast through Cedar County toward the Missouri River

Holt County Test-Hole Logs: Nebraska Water Survey Test-Hole Report No. 45

In 1930, the Conservation and Survey Division of the University of Nebraska and the U.S. Geological Survey began a program of cooperative groundwater studies in Nebraska. Since then test drilling by use of rotary drilling equipment has been an integral part of that program. This report contains logs of all the test holes drilled in Holt County, Nebraska, under the program as well as those drilled by the Conservation and Survey Division with financial assistance from other government agencies. The map in this report (see figure 1) shows the location of all test holes drilled in Holt County, Nebraska, from 1944 to 2000. Present techniques of test-hole logging and sampling include use of drilling mud suitable to drilling conditions, timing by stopwatch of the drilling of each 5-foot increment of depth, and removal of all cuttings from the test hole at intervals of 5 feet or less. During the drilling of the hole, cuttings from each interval are examined immediately; samples representing each 5-foot interval and each recognizable change in material are retained. After samples are washed, they are described lithologically and the color is evaluated by comparison with standard color charts. The samples then are dried, stored, and cataloged. Beginning in September 1951, the test holes have been logged electrically (see sample Holt County e-Iog for #54-HP-79) in figure 2. All samples are processed and kept on open file in the offices of Conservation and Survey Division, 113 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0517, 402-472-3471. This publication is one of a series being issued to make more readily available the record of test holes drilled since 1930. The series of publications is made on a county basis and includes, with some exceptions, logs of all test holes drilled in each of the counties. The logs have not been reviewed for conformance with editorial standards and nomenclature. The method whereby the altitude of the land surface at test-hole sites was determined is indicated in the heading of each log, as follows: a = altimeter, h = hand leveling, I = leveling, t = estimated from topographic map

Antelope County Test-Hole Logs: Nebraska Water Survey Test-Hole Report No. 2

In 1930, the Conservation and Survey Division of the University of Nebraska and the U.S. Geological Survey began a program of cooperative groundwater studies in Nebraska. Since then test drilling by use of rotary drilling equipment has been an integral part of that program. This report contains logs of all the test holes drilled in the county under the program as well as those drilled by the Conservation and Survey Division with financial assistance from other government agencies. The map in this report shows the location of all test holes drilled in the county since 1930. Present techniques of test-hole logging and sampling include use of drilling mud suitable to drilling conditions, timing by stopwatch of the drilling of each 5-foot increment of depth, and removal of all cuttings from the test hole at intervals of 5 feet or less. During the drilling of the hole, cuttings from each interval are examined immediately; samples representing each 5-foot interval and each recognizable change in material are retained. After samples are washed, they are described lithologically and the color is evaluated by comparison with standard color charts. The samples then are dried, stored, and cataloged. Beginning in September 1951, the test holes have been logged electrically. All samples are processed and kept on open file in the offices of Conservation and Survey Division, 113 Nebraska Hall, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 68588. This publication is one of a series being issued to make more readily available the record of test holes drilled since 1930. The series of publications is made on a county basis and includes, with some exceptions, logs of all test holes drilled in each of the counties. The logs have not been reviewed for conformance with editorial standards and nomenclature. The method whereby the altitude of the land surface at test-hole sites was determined is indicated in the heading of each log, as follows: a = altimeter, h = hand leveling, I = spirit leveling, t = estimated from topographic map. The test-hole records accurately reflect subsurface conditions only at the locations where the test holes were drilled. Interpretive data reflecting probable subsurface conditions between test-holes are being compiled for publication in county reports and are available for inspection in the office of the Conservation and Survey Division. Each test hole is identified by a number assigned in the field (for example #3-B-67, #41-79), and most are also identified by a number indicating its location within the land divisions of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management\u27s survey of Nebraska. Location numbers of test holes east of the 6th principal meridian, which passes through Columbus in a north-south direction, are preceded by the capital letter A; those west of the principal meridian have no preceding letter. The first numeral indicates the township, the second the range, and the third the section. As shown in figure I, the letters that follow the section number indicate the location of the test hole within the section, the first letter indicating the quarter section and the second letter indicating the quarter-quarter section. The letters A, B, C, and D are applied in counterclockwise direction beginning with A in the northeast quadrant. The last numeral is the serial number of the test hole within the quarter-quarter section. No number is shown unless more than one test hole is within the given quarter-quarter section

Results of Test-Hole Drilling for Observation Well Planning in the Lower Loup Natural Resources District, Spring 2017

The High Plains Aquifer underlies much of Nebraska. It is the primary source of groundwater within the Lower Loup Natural Resources District (LLNRD) of central Nebraska. Water derived from the aquifer is an important natural resource for the area and supplies water for recreation, wildlife and agriculture, as well as domestic, municipal, and industrial uses. Falling spring water levels measured in existing observation and irrigation wells have raised concerns about possible changes in water availability, groundwater-surface water relationships and water quality in the area, prompting the LLNRD to propose test holes and the collection of additional groundwater data in the region

Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2021

This report is a synthesis of groundwater-level monitoring programs in Nebraska. It is a continuation of the series of annual reports and maps produced by the Conservation and Survey Division (CSD) of the University of Nebraska in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since the 1950s. Groundwater-level monitoring began in Nebraska in 1930 in an effort to survey the state’s groundwater resources and to observe changes in its availability on a continuing basis. The CSD and USGS cooperatively developed, maintained, and operated an observation-well network throughout the state. These two agencies were responsible for collecting and archiving this information, and for making it available to the citizens

Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2018

The term “groundwater” has come to be all but synonymous with Nebraska. Nearly three-quarters of the total volume of the High Plains Aquifer lies beneath the State. Groundwater maintains our streams, our ecosystems, our people, and our vitally important agricultural economy. Nebraska’s total groundwater resource is vast, yet it is also vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic changes, necessitating a long-term commitment to wise management through informed decision making. Monitoring, studying, and reporting form the essential basis for such management and, ultimately, for meeting the myriad challenges presented by change. The personnel of the Conservation and Survey Division (CSD) are pleased to support wise groundwater management through the issuance of this report, a yearly continuation of a long-running series of water-resources reports and maps published by CSD. The information provided herein should be used to inform, educate, and guide the citizens of Nebraska regarding water resources. All Nebraskans need clean, abundant and accessible water to sustain our economy and way of life. Therefore, we must all partner in management as informed citizens