OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new Republican River agreement will mean more irrigation water for some Nebraska farmers this summer, and make it easier to ensure Kansas gets the water it is entitled to.

Disputes over the water in the river have continued for decades, but recently officials in Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas have been able to find ways to cooperate more.

The acting director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Jim Schneider said Monday the new agreement offers more flexibility.

Nebraska will now have until next spring to deliver all the water Kansas is entitled to, so more water can be released for irrigation this year.

The new agreement also clarifies when and how much Kansas irrigators will have to pay for repairs to the dam at the Harlan County Reservoir.