What this tracks

This dataset shows how deep you need to dig to reach groundwater at locations across Nebraska.

Why it matters to you

Knowing groundwater depth helps Nebraska farmers decide where to drill irrigation wells and what crops to plant — shallow-rooted crops may struggle where water is deep. Homeowners planning to install a well can estimate drilling costs, since deeper wells require more materials and labor. Ranchers can use this to identify areas where livestock ponds might naturally fill.

How to read this data

DEPTH — The vertical distance to reach water, shown as ranges like “0-50 ft.” (shallow) or “100-150 ft.” (deep). Lower numbers mean water is closer to the surface.

Try it yourself

Check the groundwater depth for your property by finding your location on Nebraska’s interactive groundwater map at [insert link to UNL’s public viewer if available].