NGPC News

HEMINGFORD, Neb. — Campers at Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area will have to go without electricity for a while, but they will have more juice when the wait is over. Beginning Oct. 1, all of the electrical camping sites at Box Butte will be closed while construction workers upgrade six sites from 30 to 50 amps. The upgrades will result in all of the lake’s 14 electrical sites having 50-amp service. The campground’s 40 non-electrical sites will remain open …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to Nebraska state parks have until Oct. 4 to take a survey online to share their experiences this summer. More than 4,000 park users have completed the survey since April, when crews started conducting surveys in select state parks. Additional responses will only help the study, survey organizers say. “Public feedback helps our agency make informed and intentional decisions that enhance experiences within our state park system,” said Hannah Jones, assistant planning division administrator for the …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Lake 20 at Fremont State Recreation Area is scheduled to be chemically renovated Sept. 22 to remove the existing fish population. Unwanted fish, including white perch, common carp and gizzard shad, were introduced to the lake during the 2019 spring flooding when the lake experienced severe damage. The fish renovation and restocking is the final step in restoring the lake for future recreational use. Rotenone will be applied in the lake to kill the existing fish. Because …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Construction will begin Sept. 20 at Indian Cave State Park to replace the boardwalk that was damaged by landslides in 2019. Flooding at that time caused numerous landslides and resulted in the removal of a section of the boardwalk leading up to the cave that bears prehistoric Native American petroglyphs. Those rock carvings previously could be viewed from the boardwalk that extends the length of the cave wall. The boardwalk has been inaccessible since May 2019. Construction …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Burchard Lake in southeast Nebraska is being drawn down for maintenance work to protect the integrity of the reservoir dam. Riprap around the lake has degraded over time due to ice and erosion. A 2-foot drawdown started Sept. 15, and riprap will be added beginning Sept. 27. Public access to the boat ramp and campground will remain open; however, access to the dam parking lot from the south will remain closed during construction. This project is being …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb – This Saturday, Sept. 18, is the Scout’s Rest Ranch Landmark Celebration at Buffalo Bill State Historical Park celebrating 100-years of Nebraska State Parks. The free festivities start at 9 a.m. with a historical scavenger hunt. Tours of the Cody mansion begin at 10 a.m. followed by old fashioned games at 11:30. At noon enjoy hayrack rides and a buffalo chip throwing contest. A plaque unveiling by the National Park Service and Nebraska State Parks will be …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking input on a draft master plan being developed to improve Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and State Recreation Area in North Platte. The master plan covers potential new development, programming and recreational activities that enhance the experience for future visitors. The plan incorporates new interpretation and programming goals centered around the life of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his home at Scout’s Rest Ranch. The public is …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – East Sutherland Interstate 80 Lake was chemically renovated Sept. 15, 2021. The rotenone treatment used at the lake was aimed to eliminate common carp and other undesirable fish species, which are detrimental to aquatic habitat, water quality and sport fish populations. In preparation for the treatment, biologists salvaged game fish from the lake and relocated them to other lakes. Restocking of yellow perch and adult smallmouth bass will occur in late September or October this year. …

CHADRON, Neb. — Nebraska Panhandle agriculture producers participating in the Conservation Reserve Program may be eligible to earn extra income by helping the region’s pheasant population and other wildlife. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering bonus incentives to CRP participants within certain areas of the Panhandle — locations designated as Pheasant Opportunity Areas in the agency’s Berggren Plan to improve hunting opportunities for the popular game bird. Incentives are available for landowners who are enrolling, re-enrolling or are …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Director Jim Douglas received on Sept. 13 the national Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies’ top honor: the Seth Gordon Award. Since 1970, the award has been given to those who have contributed a lifetime of achievement in conserving North America’s natural resources in the interest of the public trust, as well as contributing to the programs of the association. “Being recognized by the Association and my colleagues across the country is …