Saving money while saving Lake McConaughy. Two local agencies awarded $1.5 million to help irrigators conserve water. 
   
     Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District in partnership with Natural Resources Conservation Service will use grant money to help their customers switch from gravity irrigation to more efficient systems.

     Water trickles down the row all the way to the other end of the field. It's called gravity irrigation, but to conservationists it's simply inefficient. "While that water is getting to the bottom of the field the top end of the field has had water all that time," said Marcia Trompke, conservation director at CNPPID.

     The goal behind the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program is to help farmers ditch the pipes for center pivots. "A regular gravity system will use about 22 inches of water a year on average. A center pivot is right around 10 inches of water," explained Kevin Breece, district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

     It may save money in the long run, but for many it's the initial price tag, around 45 grand, that's hard to handle. Something this program hopes to cushion. "It's a cost sharing program. So, we're not looking at paying for all the project. It's an incentive to try to get farmers to convert," Breece said.
 
     The more producers using center pivots the less water being taken from Lake Mac, which benefits everyone. "Our farmers have been allocated, had a short supply of water since 2005," said Trompke.
 
     This year that supply is up. Irrigators have two more inches of water to work with, but officials want to close off drought water allocations for good using the flood of grant money they're recieving. "Our goal is to have each farmer doing the most efficient thing they can do with their water," said Breece.

   Central Irrigation customers are encouraged to apply for the program between August 3-14. If a center pivot won't fit your land you may be a candidate for drip tape irrigation.