Irrigation water availability, risk management considerations for 2026 crops

Current snowpack in the headwaters of the North Platte River Basin continues to be below average. Wyoming reservoir water levels on the North Platte River are Pathfinder at thirty-three percent full, requiring 722,530 acre-feet to fill. Seminoe is thirty-two percent full, requiring 689,042 acre-feet to fill. While Initial weather forecasts indicate the potential for more moisture in the next few weeks, many farmers are concerned about irrigation water availability for the 2026 Crop Year.

Crop insurance may play a critical role in supporting surface water irrigated producers in the North Platte Valley this year. While irrigation districts have not yet finalized official water availability determinations, limited snowpack since March 15, 2025, may affect irrigation water availability for the 2026 crops. If the allocation letters from the irrigation districts indicate lower water availability and the letter comes out before planting, then according to the Preventative Planting Standards Handbook (FCIC-25370 (12-2025), in the insurance period, section 4:

"When available information indicates that the effects of drought… prior to the insurance period for the current Crop Year are such that normal weather conditions within the Prevent Plant insurance period would still not allow crop production (e.g., irrigation water allocations remain below what is needed to irrigate 100 percent of historical acreage, even with normal weather), the loss would be attributable to events occurring outside the Prevent Plant insurance period for the current year and no Prevent Plant payment could be made on such acreage."

In other words, preventative planting would not be available if there is official communication about reduced irrigation water before the insurance period.

While planting typical crop rotations may still be feasible this season, producers may benefit from considering alternative crops. To have planting flexibility, there are actions you can take ahead of the crop insurance sales closing date of March 15. First, add crops to your insurance policy that you could plant if drought conditions persist. If you do not plant these crops, there is no penalty. Second, make sure your dryland coverage is adequate. If there are reductions in irrigation allocation, you may end up with dryland practice in part of a surface water irrigated field. As limited irrigation water requires the insured acreage to reflect what can be properly watered. Third, be in excellent communication with your crop insurance agent to understand your options. Especially before the sales closing date of March 15.

We encourage everyone to know your cost of production, how it relates to your insurance guarantee across many crops and practices. If irrigation water is limited, find the right crops to plant at the right coverage levels. The time is now to develop a strategy, a strategy that will evolve with new information.