Agricultural Economics, Department of
Cornhusker Economics
2025 Perkins County Canal Litigation Update
Date of this Version
9-24-2025
Document Type
Newsletter Issue
Citation
Cornhusker Economics, September 24, 2025
Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
This newsletter issue is based on a September 4, 2025, UNL Center for Ag Profitability webinar, Nebraska/Colorado Water Lawsuit, available for viewing at https://cap.unl.edu/nebraska-colorado-lawsuit-2025-webinar/. The webinar has several maps that will enhance your understanding of this information.
Abstract
On July 16, 2025, the state of Nebraska filed a lawsuit with the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS or Supreme Court of the United States) alleging that Colorado has interfered with Nebraska’s water rights for the Perkins County Canal in the 1923 South Platte River Compact. This newsletter issue discusses the provisions of the South Platte River Compact, Colorado irrigation in the South Platte basin, recent South Platte basin developments, Nebraska’s lawsuit, and what to look for as the lawsuit unfolds.