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Two neighboring Nebraska farmers, Rivera and Calloway, both draw irrigation water from the same underground aquifer regulated by their local NRD. During a severe drought, the NRD determines that total groundwater withdrawals must be reduced. Rivera holds a senior water appropriation certificate dating to 1978, while Calloway began irrigating from the aquifer in 2005. Under Nebraska's groundwater law framework, which of the following most accurately describes how the NRD would allocate the reduced supply?

Correct Answer

B) Calloway and Rivera share the reduced supply proportionally based on their respective acreage, because groundwater in Nebraska follows the correlative rights doctrine rather than strict prior appropriation

Nebraska groundwater is governed by a correlative rights framework administered by Natural Resources Districts — NOT by the prior appropriation doctrine that applies to surface water. Under correlative rights, overlying landowners share the common resource in proportion to their reasonable use, typically based on factors such as acreage or historical use rather than the date of first appropriation. This means Rivera's 1978 date does not automatically give him absolute priority over Calloway's 2005 use. The NRD manages reductions through this proportional sharing framework, which is a critical distinction from surface water law and a common exam trap for candidates who assume prior appropriation applies to all Nebraska water.

Answer Options
A
Rivera receives full priority over Calloway because the prior appropriation doctrine applies to all water in Nebraska, protecting senior rights holders absolutely
B
Calloway and Rivera share the reduced supply proportionally based on their respective acreage, because groundwater in Nebraska follows the correlative rights doctrine rather than strict prior appropriation
C
The NRD has no authority to restrict individual groundwater users during a drought; only the Nebraska Supreme Court can order reductions in groundwater withdrawals
D
Rivera and Calloway are each entitled to exactly half of the available supply, because Nebraska groundwater law mandates equal sharing among all users within the same aquifer

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

correlative_rightsgroundwaterprior_appropriationnrd_authoritydrought_allocationexpert_trapsurface_vs_groundwater

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