Research about Platte River Basin

USGS1979

Simulated changes in ground-water levels and streamflow resulting from future development (1970 to 2020) in the Platte River basin, Nebraska

Future changes in ground-water levels and streamflow caused by a limited set of water-resources development conditions were simulated with digital models of stream-aquifer systems within the Platte River Basin, Nebraska. Simulated water-resources use in the basin included private development of ground water for irrigation, Federal development of surface-water systems for irrigation, and development of ground water to supply municipal demands of Lincoln and Omaha. Simulated future conditions indicate that significant permanent declines in ground-water levels and streamflows may occur as a result of private development of ground water for irrigation. The largest simulated declines in ground-water levels were more than 80 feet by the year 2020 in upland areas in the Elkhorn and Middle Platte subbasins under conditions of rapid development of all irrigable lands. Simulated depletion of perennial streamflows by ground-water withdrawals indicated that future surface-water supplies may be limited in parts of the basin. Simulated depletions to major streams exceeded 60 percent of average perennial flow in the Elkhorn subbasin under conditions of rapid private development of ground water for irrigation. Simulations that evaluated the effects of combined private groundwater development with proposed Federal development of surface water for irrigation showed that in the project areas, ground-water level declines were reduced compared to "without project" conditions. In some project areas, simulated ground-water levels rose with the application of surface water in excess of consumptive-use requirements and soil-moisture storage capacities. The ground-water level rises would lead to waterlogged conditions in parts of the Middle Platte subbasin. The accuracy of the models developed in this study would be improved most by collection of additional data on ground-water withdrawals and storage properties at the aquifer.

Nebraska↗

USGS1973

A plan for study of water resources in the Platte River basin, Nebraska: with special emphasis on the stream-aquifer relations

A "Level B" study is being made of the Platte River basin in Nebraska. The basin (approximately 40,800 square miles) extends the full length of the State, a distance of nearly 470 miles. The study is a Federal and State interagency effort to formulate a comprehensive plan for the conservation, development, and management of the water and related land resources of the Platte River basin. The technical information for the study will be provided by 14 task forces. This report describes the work of the Level B Stream-Aquifer Hydrology Task Force (Task Force 13). The U.S. Geological Survey is the lead agency for this task force. Task Force 13 will provide the agencies participating in the Level B study with a quantitative description of the operation of the hydrologic system with emphasis on the relation of ground water to surface water. A digital model will be developed to simulate the physical character and operation of the stream-aquifer system. After the model has been calibrated with field data, it will be used to evaluate the effect of proposed projects. Some of the uses of the model are evaluation of effects of proposed conjunctive use projects, effects of changes in water use, and study of future water problems such as water-logged areas, groundwater mining, and streamflow depletion.

Nebraska↗