OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Millions of gallons of water are being pumped into the Republican River again this year to ensure that Nebraska farms in the area can continue operating while Kansas gets the water it is entitled to.

This is the third year in a row that Nebraska pumped groundwater into the river to satisfy its obligations under its compact with Kansas and Colorado.

But the amount of water being pumped into the river this year is about 60 percent less than past years because the three states reached a new agreement on managing the river’s water.

The use of the river’s water is governed by an agreement that says Nebraska gets 49 percent of the river’s water, Kansas receives 40 percent and Colorado gets 11 percent