Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
First Advisor
Erin Haacker
Date of this Version
8-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Citation
A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Major: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (Hydrogeology)
Under the supervision of Professor Erin Haacker
Lincoln, Nebraska, August 2025
Abstract
The Mississippi River Valley “Alluvial Aquifer” is among the most agriculturally significant aquifers in the United States. However, parts of the aquifer are exceeding sustainable yield as development of the water source continues. Survey research in other aquifers, such as the High Plains (Ogallala) Aquifer, has helped to understand the perceptions and attitudes of irrigators withdrawing from their aquifers. This led to numerous questions: What are the attitudes of irrigators in the Alluvial Aquifer region? How do they compare to irrigators in other regions of the country? Can their intentions be used to generate more accurate inputs when modeling adoption of more efficient irrigation systems?
These questions were addressed through an interdisciplinary approach. An existing survey was identified which collected information on irrigators attitudes and perceptions regarding groundwater. The survey was modified for irrigators in Arkansas who withdraw from the Alluvial Aquifer. Results were then compared to those of the Ogallala Aquifer to identify principle social similarities and differences between the two regions. Finally, results of the survey regarding intention to adopt water efficient irrigation systems were used to generate realistic adoption rates. Those rates were converted to reduced well discharges for the regional groundwater model: MERAS.
Results show that, despite similarities between these regions, the populations should be perceived as distinct agricultural communities with differing perceptions. Further results show that the strongest predictors of farm water management practices were often prior adoption of other practices. Meanwhile, modeling results indicate that savings from both Surge Irrigation and Tailwater Recovery systems ranged from 2.02–8.31 inches per year per reduced discharge cell.
It is therefore recommended that focus should be placed on individuals who have already adopted other practices when promoting new irrigation practices. Assistance to farmers and information sharing should also be increased to financially incentivize adoption. Finally, it is recommended that survey research continue to be used when developing water response models for irrigation efficiency system adoption rates.
Advisor: Erin Haacker
Comments
Copyright 2025, M. Austin Wise. Used by permission