LINCOLN, NEB. ? Groundwater levels in southeast Nebraska have taken a hit after several abnormally dry seasons and heavy irrigation this year.

But some natural resource district officials expect water levels to rebound in time for next year’s growing season.

“We’re in good shape,” said John Turnbull, manager of the York-based Upper Big Blue district. “That doesn’t mean we should waste it. We should save it.”

The Upper Big Blue district is one of the most irrigated areas in the state, with farmers relying heavily on water pumped from the ground and nearby streams to get good crop yields.

Like many districts across Nebraska, Turnbull is keeping a watchful eye on ground water levels after one of the driest years on record.

Western Nebraska was hit the hardest by drought this year, when creeks stopped running and reservoir levels dropped dramatically.

Lake McConaughy, the state’s largest reservoir, is now at one-third of its capacity.

State water officials had their busiest year ever, sending out more than 10,000 regulatory notices. Three-fourths of the state was placed under emergency water regulations.

Most recently, four natural resource districts covering millions of acres in southwest and western Nebraska have banned the drilling of new irrigation wells for three years.

At least one irrigation district is converting some of its open canals to pipelines to help prevent water loss.

It’s a different story in southeast Nebraska, where water levels are inching upward after a heavy irrigation season.

For example, the Little Blue Natural Resource District saw a decline of about 1.6 feet from last fall. The biggest ever was 1.9 feet in 1988.

“We have some areas in our district where we are watching a little closer,” said Mike Onnen, manager of the Davenport-based district. “They have not rebounded as quickly. “

Groundwater levels in the Lower Big Blue district dropped 4.25 feet between April and November, said Dave Clabaugh, resource specialist for the Beatrice-based agency.