By Erin Lee, Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District
This is the Crop Water Use Report for the week of Aug. 30.
Over the past week, corn used 1.98 inches.
Expected use by corn for this week is 1.87 inches.
Over the past week, beets used 1.64 inches.
Expected use by beets for this week is 1.55 inches.
Over the past week, potatoes used 0.18 inches.
Expected use by potatoes for this week is 0.17 inches.
Over the past week, dry beans used 1.06 inches.
Expected use by dry beans for this week is 1.00 inches.
Over the past week, soybeans used 1.98 inches.
Expected use by soybeans for this week is 1.87 inches.
Over the past week, sunflowers used 2.07 inches.
Expected use by sunflowers for this week is 1.96 inches.
Over the past week, alfalfa used 1.80 inches.
Expected use by alfalfa for this week is 1.70 inches.
Over the past week, actively growing lawns used 1.70 inches.
Expected use by actively growing lawns for this week 1.60 inches.
In the past week average ET gauge readings were 1.78 inches.
The average rainfall for the district was 0.09 inches.
The weather forecast for the next week shows highs in the low 80s and 90s, with lows in the upper 50s and low 60s. It will be hot and sunny at the start of the week with chances of showers and thunderstorms every day starting Wednesday evening and carrying into the weekend.
In the last week, soil moisture monitoring station 1 showed 45% water available at 12”, 56% water available at 24”, and 68% water available at 36”. The producer did irrigate. Remember this is in a Sandy Loam soil type with Corn planted and will vary depending on site, weather, irrigation management, topography, crop, and soil type.
In the last week, soil moisture monitoring station 2 showed 30% water available at 12”, 29% water available at 24”, and 33% water available at 36”. The producer did irrigate. Remember this is in a Loam soil type with Beets planted and will vary depending on site, weather, irrigation management, topography, crop, and soil type.
The crop water use report is completed using the average growth stage for each crop and ET gauge reading from across the district. To find the conversion for your specific crop growth stage, visit https://nawmn.unl.edu/GrowthStageData.
For more information or to inquire about ET gauges or soil moisture monitoring equipment, please contact Erin Lee at the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District at 308.432.6190 or visit our website at www.unwnrd.org. We are committed to helping Nebraskans conserve and protect groundwater.