The deadline to apply for a program that pays farmers $10-$15 acre if they reduce nitrogen applications by at least 15% or 40lbs/acre in 2026 has been extended to Dec. 15. It was Nov. 15. For more information including forms needed to apply, click on the news story about the program near the bottom of this page.

URNRD technicians are wrapping up the installation of approximately 600 automated meter systems across the district that began in fall 2024. The automation will soon allow irrigators to view their recent usage and remaining allocation, adjusted for their most recent usage down to the last hour, among other data. The final round of installations will begin in fall 2025. All project costs are being paid for by state and federal grants.

NRD technicians will begin installing the last large batch of digital meter heads this upcoming fall/winter/spring, primarily in Perkins County. The digital meer heads and radios they are connected to via cable transmit hourly water-usage information that can help irrigators and the NRD improve water management. The NRD is currently working with a company to display the usage information - including remaining allocations constantly adjusted based on the most recent water usage - to landowners.