Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00307

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The funding opportunity number is G24AS00307.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the Nebraska Water Science Center.

What type of award is being offered?

The award is a discretionary cooperative agreement. It is also issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, which emphasizes collaboration and substantial involvement between the federal agency and the award recipient.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The project is focused on improving understanding of groundwater and surface-water interactions along the Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB) in north-central Nebraska, and building monitoring capabilities to better track how groundwater conditions relate to river conditions over time.

Where is the project located?

The work is centered along the Niobrara National Scenic River corridor in north-central Nebraska.

What section of the Niobrara River does the opportunity focus on?

The opportunity references the federally designated 76-mile National Scenic River corridor running from near Valentine at Borman Bridge downstream to near Mariaville at the Highway 137 Bridge.

Why is the Niobrara River a priority for this type of work?

The river corridor is valued for its scenery, geology, recreation, and fish and wildlife resources. Agencies involved have a strong interest in protecting the hydrologic conditions that support those features.

How important is groundwater to the Niobrara River's flow?

Earlier studies estimated that groundwater discharge provides roughly 70 percent of the Niobrara River's total flow, making the river heavily supported by groundwater from the High Plains aquifer.

What makes the river system sensitive to groundwater changes?

Because a large share of the river's flow is supported by groundwater, shifts in groundwater levels can translate into changes in hydrologic conditions affecting the river. The system is therefore sensitive to changes in groundwater storage and gradients over time.

How does irrigation relate to the project need?

The High Plains aquifer is the primary irrigation water source in Nebraska, and agricultural pumping can change groundwater storage and groundwater gradients over time. The project is meant to improve the ability to detect and understand those kinds of changes near the river corridor.

What is the current monitoring challenge this project is trying to address?

The monitoring network in the area is described as limited, with not enough dedicated groundwater measurements to clearly link changes in river stage (stream water levels) to changes in nearby groundwater levels. This limitation makes it harder for managers to detect emerging impacts or separate natural variability from human-driven change.

What activities will the grant support?

The work to be supported includes test-hole drilling, geophysical well logging, installation of monitoring wells, and placement of water-level sensors at selected locations.

What is the goal of installing monitoring wells and sensors?

The monitoring wells and water-level sensors are intended to characterize subsurface conditions and establish a monitoring foundation that can track groundwater levels and how they relate to adjacent river conditions.

Who will use the data produced by this monitoring work?

The monitoring data are intended to support long-term management needs for the National Park Service (NPS).

How does this project support National Park Service (NPS) management?

NPS wants better tools to evaluate how future system changes, including new or expanded groundwater irrigation, could affect groundwater levels and water quality near the river corridor. If monitoring shows measurable impacts that could threaten river resources, the information would help managers decide what protective actions or management responses are appropriate.

Does this opportunity address water quality as well as water levels?

Yes. The opportunity indicates that improved monitoring is intended to help evaluate potential effects on both groundwater levels and water quality near the river corridor.

What is the CESU framework mentioned in the opportunity?

The opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, meaning it is structured for collaborative research and technical assistance via a cooperative agreement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners of the Great Plains CESU (GP CESU).

What is the program or funding activity classification listed?

The opportunity aligns with Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 15.808).

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $90,000.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting was created on March 21, 2024.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was April 24, 2024.

What is meant by "discretionary" in the context of this award?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the federal agency has discretion in making the award, and the instrument is designed for collaborative work under a cooperative agreement structure.

Why are additional groundwater measurements needed near the river?

The opportunity explains that there are not enough dedicated groundwater measurements to clearly relate changes in stream water levels (river stage) to groundwater levels nearby. Additional measurements help clarify groundwater/surface-water relationships and improve the ability to detect change over time.

What kinds of outcomes are expected from the supported work?

Based on the description, expected outcomes include improved characterization of subsurface conditions and an enhanced monitoring network capable of tracking groundwater levels and their relationship to river conditions to support long-term management decisions.