Water Tour

Water Tours began in the mid-1970s under the direction of Dr. Leslie Sheffield, a UNL Extension Farm Management Specialist and later outreach programs coordinator for the Nebraska Water Center / Environmental Programs. The annual event began as an educational activity to highlight water resources projects and irrigated agriculture.

The tours were designed to enhance understanding and appreciation for water management in Nebraska and participants flocked to them from many water-related state and federal agencies, the Natural Resources Districts, from UNL and from farms, ranches and other locales across the state. Tour sponsors and co-planners through the years have included the Nebraska Water Conference Council, Nebraska Water Center and IANR, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, Nebraska Public Power District, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and several private companies, including banks and irrigation equipment manufacturers.

Sheffield was Executive Secretary of the Water Conference Council for 10 years, from 1972 to 1982, when the Nebraska Water Center director assumed that position. Nonetheless, Sheffield continued organizing the tours until approximately 1993 when Bob Kuzelka, assistant to the director of the Nebraska Water Center, stepped into that role.

The tour’s primary, organizing partners currently include the NWC, CNPPID, The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, NU’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Nebraska Public Power District. Individual Natural Resources Districts and the Nebraska Water Balance Alliance are frequent tour co-sponsors, as well, among others.