With the water level of lake mcconaughy dropping over 60 feet, the town has reappeared. Feb 29, 2020 we were told that when they dammed the river, it flooded a town which remains mostly in tact at the bottom of the lake. The lack of water is due to a loss of upstream inflows, which are fed by return flows more than direct snowmelt. Another founder, george kingsley, was named vice president to the organization. History of lake mcconaughy and lake communities keith county. Lake mcconaughy is conveniently located near interstate 80 in southwestern nebraskas prairie lakes region near the city of ogallala, the county seat of keith county. The record high water levels the last two years, which flooded vegetation and trees that had grown on the lakes shoreline for a decade, made hunting difficult last season. Lakemcconaughy s story began with the simple need for irrigation in nebraska. Lake mcconaughy guide services, keystone, nebraska. The spillway tower has 12 gates which are 16 feet high and 22 feet wide. Lake mcconaughy water level history nebraska lakes lake mcconaughy login.
In 19 the tricounty supplemental water association was founded and mcconaughy was named president. Written for a general audience by an eminent anthropologist, the book assembles in lucid and readable form the insights of modern geology, archaeology, ethnology and documentary history, along with a rich harvest of oral history and mythology told in the eloquent voices of yukon indians. Hello, i have a hunting barge at the west end of lake mac and im trying to figure out how much the water will drop to make sure it doesnt get beached. Make sure you research the water levels before you make the drive. The center also houses two 1,000 gallon aquariums as well as interactive educational exhibits depicting the story of water in nebraska and the history, hydrology and geology of the north platte river valley and lake mcconaughy. The lake mcconaughy visitor and water interpretive center is perched on a bluff just south of kingsley dam. Lake mcconaughy, nebraska community and visitors guide. With record flights predicted and lower water levels, waterfowling on nebraskas lake mcconaughy promises to be outstanding this fall. This massive reservoir, built in the 1930s as a source of water for irrigation and electric power generation, is said to be the only landmark in the state clearly visible from outer space. Since that time, there continues to be a slight improvement each year in the amount of water stored in the reservoir. The north platte river snaked its way through the valley surrounded by an array of wild fruit such as grapes, chokecherries. November 12, 2004 these are the tree stumps of the trees that once lined the streets of lemoyne.
Lake mcconaughy was constructed to store water for irrigation for the tricounty, later renamed central nebraska public. With 35,700 surface acres and over 100 miles of shoreline, lake mcconaughy is nebraska s largest reservoir and a popular yearround fishing and outdoor recreation destination. Current daily stream flows in real time for all measuring gauges in u. The objective of this activity is to raise and stock progeny from adult lake mcconaughy rainbow trout for the purpose of. High water levels expected to affect activities at lake. May 09, 20 especially in dry years news reports in the state closely follow the rise and fall of water levels is nebraskas largest body of water, lake mcconaughy. Is there a plan to let more water out than what is coming in over the next month. Stopped here overnight on our way back from south dakota. Location, today feet above sea level, 1 week ago, 1 month ago, 1 year ago. Underwater city lake mcconaughy, ogallala traveller. Water flows into the lake from a 32,500squaremile 84,000 km 2 drainage area west of the dam.
Location today feet above sea level 1 week ago 1 month ago 1 year ago. Lake mcconaughy state recreation area nebraska game and parks. Nebraskas largest reservoir at 35,700 acres, lake mcconaughy now has a spectacular visitor water interpretive center, 12 mile south of kingsley dam on nebr. Colorado man suspected of shooting wife at nebraska lakea 43yearold colorado man has been accused of shooting his wife on a beach at lake mcconaughy in western nebraska. The water level is very high, highest levels in 910years i believe and has flooded trees that grew during the years of low water causing a lot of sediment bark to be in the water. Readings for monday, may 11, 2020 the central nebraska. Great boating, fishing and camping will still be available at the lake, but visitors to lake mcconaughy should take high water levels into account and plan accordingly to get the most. The great lakes library binding september 1, 2003 by anne ylvisaker author. Kingsley dam was formed by the pumping of a mixture of loess soil and water into the ground, making a watertight core. Elevations for lake mcconaughy, johnson lake, jeffrey lake, elwood reservoir. Back to gallery on the bottom of exposed lake beds, you can take a walk through the past as water levels continue to drop at reservoirs across. Such natural resources management has long been challenging, given the widely varying water elevation levels for the lake in response to. Lincoln lake mcconaughy is expected to reach 100 percent capacity by late june, and the high water levels will affect some lake activities. Lake mcconaughy is a reservoir on the north platte river.
Our elevation page has been reformatted to be compatible with desktop. The elevation of lake mcconaughy is currently at 3116. Lake mcconaughy ogallala 2020 all you need to know before. Campground details lake mcconaughy sra, ne nebraska. Kingsley dam, located 9 miles north of ogallala, nebraska, is the second largest, hydraulic fill dam in the world. Tentative apportionment of flows an analysis of flow between kingsley dam and kearney, including storage water, natural flow and environmental account water. Lake mcconaughy sra spillwayi bay martin no ame bay bay arthur bay otter creek bay ash hollow cemetery. Under current inflow conditions, sustaining water in lake mcconaughy may not be possible. Sep 27, 2012 with record flights predicted and lower water levels, waterfowling on nebraskas lake mcconaughy promises to be outstanding this fall. Lake mcconaughy visitor centerwater interpretive center. Lake mcconaughy key nebraska game and parks commission. Sunday drive on any day spectacular views from the windy road but even better from the pulloffs.
Lake mcconaughy state recreation area nebraska game and. Although he did not live to see the completion of the project, his. The amount of water stored in lake mcconaughy dropped to a record low elevation of 3198. Lake mcconaughy, nebraska, usa vacation info lakelubbers. Lake mcconaughy was built for irrigation but it is also popular for recreation. Bureau of reclamation reservoirs on the north platte river in wyoming capture precipitation and snowmelt from the mountains and utilize. This high school was used until 1945 when the last class graduated. A new school was built in 1917 giving the community a high school offering all four grades.
The walleye spawn at lake mcconaughy begins around the middle of april, and continues through the first part of may. A summary of lake mcconaughy rainbow trout spawntaking. The source of water for lake mcconaughy is primarily the north platte river. As lake mcconaughy behind the dam filled up, it created over 100 miles of shoreline and beaches that have been compared to hawaii. Lake mcconaughy ogallala 2020 all you need to know. Part of the land, part of the water is a history of the native peoples of the yukon. Especially in dry years news reports in the state closely follow the rise and fall of water levels is nebraskas largest body of water, lake mcconaughy. Storied past for lake mcconaughy set stages for a bright. The area offers several boat ramps with docks, depending upon water level.
Water levels in lake mead reach historic low the weather. It is located 9 miles 14 km north of ogallala, nebraska, united states, near u. At full storage of 1,948,000 acrefeet of water, big mac is 22 miles long, four miles wide, and 142 feet deep near the dam. November 12, 2004 the houses and stores were disassembled and moved to higher ground where the current lemoyne, ne stands today. The lake mcconaughy visitor and water interpretive center is onequarter mile south. Lake mcconaughy is a reservoir located on the north platte river in nebraska, listed as one of the top 100 family places to fish and boat in the u.
On september 14, 2004, an all time low reservoir level was recorded. Unfortunately the water was not low enough when we were there. These two men pushed their idea of using platte water for irrigation in the central part of the state. Nebraskas largest reservoir, lake mcconaughy offers outstanding boating, fishing, swimming and. Acquired from nebraska dnr and usgs web services and cnppid historical readings. It features interactive educational exhibits on the north platte river and high plains aquifer, two large aquariums and the ethel abbott theater, with a variety of promotional and education films involving lake mcconaughy. Although big mac was created to serve as an irrigation reservoir and hydroelectric plant for southwest nebraska, the lake is a major recreation destination for fishing, boating. Books were very important to residents residing in the valley.
Lake mcconaughy water level continues to improve october, 2008 october, 2008. Mcconaughy, a grain merchant and mayor of holdrege, nebraska, one of the leading promoters of the project. Readings for monday, may 11, 2020 central nebraska public. For the last seventy years lakemcconaughy has become synonymous with keithcounty. Seasonal fishing overview with 35,700 surface acres and over 100 miles of shoreline, lake mcconaughy is nebraskas largest reservoir and a popular. Nebraskas largest reservoir at 35,700 acres, lake mcconaughy now has a spectacular visitorwater interpretive center, 12 mile south of kingsley dam on nebr. Jun 12, 2015 lincoln lake mcconaughy is expected to reach 100 percent capacity by late june, and the high water levels will affect some lake activities. Official page of lake mcconaughy, provided by the keith county visitors committee. Waterfowling on nebrakas lake mcconaughy gnatoutdoors.
Not only is it nebraska s largest recreational lake, but it stands as a symbol of achievement. Learn about the construction of kingsley dam made from original photos and 8mm footage in the ethel s. Later that aftenoon i jumped in with my mask on after a boating trip to the middle of the lake and visibility was much better in the 12. The record high water levels the last two years, which flooded vegetation and trees that had grown on the lake s shoreline for a decade, made hunting difficult last season. I check you inflow and outflow chart every couple of. When the water level is low enough you can see the top of the town church sticking out of the water. From the middle of may to the fourth of july, anglers target walleye and wipers using live bait or casting jigs to the shoreline. The outlet tower height is 185 feet high and the spillway tower is 172 feet high.
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