Complaints of well shortages 'pour' into Lower Elkhorn Natural R - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

The ongoing drought means more and more farmers are turning to irrigation for their crops and some Northeast Nebraska officials say that's starting to affect the wells of domestic users.

With that in mind, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District hosted an informational session on what options both homeowners and farmers have to make sure their water needs are met. 

NRD officials say they've received 80 complaints of well shortages this year alone; by far the most they've ever dealt with.  While both sides have legal options they can use, the NRD says they'd rather see domestic users and irrigators work together to find some common ground.

"In Nebraska it's share and share alike. So everyone needs to try and do their best to conserve water and to use it to its best function," Rod Zessin, Lower Elkhorn NRD said.

The NRD says they can be used as a resource for anyone who has questions regarding well shortages. Even in extreme drought conditions, well problems can usually be solved without conflict.