In west-central Nebraska, farmers are seeing benefits from a new water data program designed to enhance their understanding of water usage. Joe Wahlgren from the Twin Platte Natural Resources District explains that this innovative program employs a virtual water meter, combining power records with flow meter data to provide a comprehensive daily report on pump activity.

Wahlgren notes, “Combine those two and I can give you a real look at what all your pumps are pumping on a daily basis.” The program also allows users to compare their water usage with that of other regional producers. This comparative data helps farmers assess their own watering practices, asking, “Am I vastly overwatering what this average is and why would that be? It lets me compare with my peers a little bit.”

Looking ahead, Wahlgren expresses hope for a broader state database: “I would hope that there’d be some way to normalize it and make it available, but a lot of times it’s just going to be used by the producer and that’s about it.” The program is available at no cost to producers, and their individual information remains confidential in the reports.