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The program explores where our water comes from, who uses it and for what purpose,
and what people are doing to sustain Nebraska's water for the future.
For most of us, when we turn on our faucet we don't even think about where our tap water comes from - we just know clean, clear water is there whenever we need it.
But what do we really know about our water?
The hour-long special begins with the exploration of Nebraska’s fresh water resources. Near Roscoe, Nebraska a portion of the geologic formation that makes up the Ogallala Aquifer lies exposed at the surface and we learn how the water below the ground is connected to the water flowing in our rivers. We trek to the headwaters of the North Platte River high in the Colorado Rockies then follow the flow of this historic river through three states to discover how it helped settle the west. And in the Sand Hills, we shadow three researchers as they continue to gather more information about how an ancient mega-drought turned the vast grass covered dunefield into a barren desert.
 We learn about Nebraska water use through a visit with a fifth generation farmer to see how irrigation transformed farming in central Nebraska; a tour of Gerald Gentlemen Power Station reveals how water plays an essential role in producing electricity and how the ongoing drought threatened Nebraska’s largest coal-fired power plant; in Omaha, we learn how the Metropolitan Utilities District is meeting the water demand of a growing population; and then back on the river we see how water diversion is effecting endangered species along the lower Platte River.
 The program concludes with stories on what some Nebraskans are doing to protect this vital resource, including a family owned business that has built their success on progressive environmental practices; a grassroots environmental organization that is responsible for the removing 341 tons of trash from the Missouri River; and, a community based organization that works with public schools to teach children water and environmental awareness.
The program features interviews with:
Jim Goeke, Research Hydrogeologist, University of Nebraska
Dave Loope, Ph.D., Geologist, University of Nebraska
Jim Swinehart Ph.D., Geologist, University of Nebraska
Joe Mason, Ph.D., Geographer, University of Wisconsin
John Lawson, Wyoming Area Manager, Bureau of Reclamation
Ann Bleed, Director, Nebraska Dept of Natural Resources
Vernon and Mike Nelson, Family Farmers, Holdrege
Tom Downey, Owner/Driller, Downey Drilling
Frank Kwapnioski, Water Resources Advisor, NPPD
Tom Wurtz, President, Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District
Joel Jorgensen, Non-game Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Renae Held, Tern and Plover Partnership, University of Nebraska
Robert Kuzelka, Professor Emeritus Director of Environmental Studies, University of Nebraska
Marc LeBaron, CEO, Lincoln Industries (formerly Lincoln Plating)
David Stouss, Boardmember, Missouri River Relief
Joseph Osborn, Volunteer, Missouri River Relief
Lindsay Rogers, Naturalist, Omaha's Fontenelle Nature Association
Margie Reed, Principal, Western Hills Magnet Center, Omaha
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