Intrigued by the Nebraska panhandle (North Platte, Scottsbluff: how much, homes, purchasing)

[drphilip]

I am a brand new member, and am thinking ahead towards purchasing land and building a fairly (completely?) energy independent homestead in a fairly rural area. Planning solar panels, wind power, clean water access and tillable land for our own organic farming. Interested in a reasonable drive to basic medical and shopping. I have lived in a very rural coastal community (believe it or not, on the Eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay) and worked quite a bit on Native American Reservations in ND, SD, MT, and AZ.

Any response about Western Nebraska, esp the panhandle, say along the Oregon trail/Platte River Valley would be welcome. My kids will be grown and probably have their own kids by the time my wife and I get there.

I love this website and have been reading how helpful people are with each other.

Thank you all in advance,
Philip

[itsMeFred]

You're going to find the Platte Valley (OR Trail) is the most populous part of the pandhandle. But of course, "populous" is a relative term. It'll also have the best ground for farming.

But were I to move the pandhandle, I'd pick Dawes or Sioux county, along the Pine Ridge area...

Pretty much anywhere in western NE is going to have plenty of wind and sunshine.

(Which reservations have you worked on in the Dakotas? I lived for a number of years just south of Pine Ridge and Rosebud, and lived on Standing Rock for several, also)

-Erin

[tpabes]

One word of warning, is to watch the water situation, with the drought that is still affecting the Panhandle. Hopefully mother nature will correct that. It is a great area, like Fred said you are looking at the populous part, near Scottsbluff. Scottsbluff has great healtcare and all the shopping you need. If you take her recommendation of Dawes or Sioux County, you will be near Chadron, which will have healthcare, altough you might have a greater chance of being sent to Rapid City for more major things. Chadron does have Wal-mart and plenty of shopping itself.

How much land are you looking for? I'm no expert, but your probably going to have to stay near Scottsbluff, Sidney, Alliance, Chadron for a greater chance to find a smaller parcel. Otherwise you might be looking at major ranch land. Like I said I'm no expert and itsMeFred, could probably give you a better idea if needed.

[chimney rock newfoundland]

Philip,
We live within view of the N. Platte river. Our nearest neighbor is a half mile away. All the others are at least 2 miles or More. We are 6 miles out of Gering.
This is a beautiful place if you like to look out and see for miles. We have bluffs around this valley and it is very pretty. We came down here years ago for a dog show and we were surprised at how pretty this area was. We were living NW of Custer SD at the time.
There are hills here with pine trees but not as much as the pine ridge area in Dawes/Sioux counties. Land is probably still cheaper here than in the pine ridge but I haven't checked for 2 years.
The weather has been SO MUCH NICER here than where we lived in SD.
As has been mentioned water is a problem. It is also a problem in western SD. We have ditch irrigation but there has been a limit on how much water use due to the snow run off being less. We have friends with pivot irrigation from wells. They are also limited on how much they can pump.
Lots of things to consider. I grew up in NM. My husband and I lived in Virginia for 15 years and this area is very different from the east coast.

[drphilip]

I do appreciate your responses above. I was at Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Eagle Butte in years past. (Also up in Rolla, ND, south of Fargo, in Browning, MT and others as well)

So, can anyone be more specific about the "water problems"? Are we just talking surface water, or are wells running dry?

I don't mind a larger parcel of land if it can be farmed. We would talk to local farmers about transitioning to organic, if any are interested. Is there a minimum size for building a home on in the panhandle?

Thanks for your help. This site is so cool.

[tpabes]

With Wyoming getting that snowstorm last week, it really helped the snowpack. They were saying there should be a good water runoff this year, which is great news. I haven't heard of wells running dry, just limits because of the lack of water in the rivers and lakes. Here is the site for Scottsbluff County, you can get phone numbers off of there and call about your requirements:
Official Website of Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska
A lot of countys are on the internet, if you need to check out a different county.

[drphilip]

Is there any challenge with water rights from your own well in NE?
I know the Platte River is all subdivided/allocated and has been for generati
ons.
Any knowledge of the water quality in wells? Does the agricultural runoff get into the well water?
Thanks-
Philip

[chimney rock newfoundland]

There are bans on new irrigation wells in most areas if that is what you are asking. If you have an irrigation well you are allowed to only use a set amount of water per acre and it is monitored on each pivot. If your well goes dry you may drill another but the dry one must be closed.
I have friends south of Scottsbluff just at the edge of Banner/Scottsbluff county. They have 3 pivot's and 5 wells. 1 pivot cannot draw enough water to use it. 1 pivot has enough water and 1 pivot is iffy.
We live 6 miles out of Gering on a farm and our water has been tested for nitrates as well as bacteria and it is fine.
Hope this helps answer your questions.

[drphilip]

Thanks, Chimney Rock Newfoundland
How would you look for land based on accessible groundwater? I have not found a user-friendly site yet?
-Philip

[chimney rock newfoundland]

You might check with the NRD and ask them.
North Platte NRD - Nebraska Association of Resources District
or
North Platte NRD | Nebraska NRCS

I don't know how up to date the last link is. I know Dallas is not there any more.

They might be more help for you than I am.

I know there are monitored water wells in this area to see how much the water has fallen. I ran across that once while researching this area.
I myself do not know of any area around here that you cannot hit water if you go deep enough. It just depends on how far the aquifer has fallen.
However if you are wanting to irrigate and there is no irrigation well don't even think about it. There is a moratorium on new irrigation wells.