Parks

LINCOLN, Neb. – Riverview Marina State Recreation Area (SRA), which is located along the Missouri River in Otoe County, is closed until further notice because of flooding. Campgrounds, restrooms and other amenities are under water, and electricity to the park has been temporarily disconnected. After water levels recede, regional park staff will clear the area of debris before reopening the park to the public. It is unclear how long the park will remain closed, as water levels can rise and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Low oxygen levels have caused a major die-off of fish at Olive Creek Lake, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The remaining fish population is suspected to be small. The die-off was reported by the public and investigated by Game and Parks on Aug. 16. Game and Parks staff found extensive numbers of dead largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, saugeye and black bullheads. Dense algal blooms in the lake over the past several …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rockford Lake in Gage County remains on health alert. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in the lake. Visitors to Rockford Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the water and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The two outdoor playgrounds at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) will be closed temporarily starting Aug. 27 for renovation and installation of new equipment. The playgrounds will reopen once installation and surfacing are complete. Park guests may use playgrounds at Schramm Park and Louisville state recreation areas. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering these parks, including Mahoney SP.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The public is invited to the annual vintage baseball games this Saturday, Aug. 18 at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. The 1864-based games will include equipment, rules and uniformed players from the era and are sure to please all visitors; come and take a step back in time for a while. The first game starts at 10 a.m. At noon several picnic baskets will be available at a live auction with Buffalo Bill Cody as …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy a Labor Day weekend filled with fun outdoor activities at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area (SRA) Sept. 1-2. Get out on the water and see the park in a different light with kayaking and a lighted hayrack ride on Sept. 1. Sept. 2’s activities include an introductory archery course, Labor Day-themed arts and crafts, a fun educational program about pollinators, and a family movie in the evening. A park permit is required of each vehicle …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy a weekend of history reenactment Aug. 25-26 at central Nebraska’s Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park. The weekend, themed Braves and Bluecoats: Indians and the Army on the Great Plains, will include reenactors portraying roles of the fort in the 1870s. There will be skirmishes, military drills, artillery demonstrations and cannon firing. Activities begin at 9 a.m. each day. The park is located 6 miles southeast of Burwell in Valley County. A vehicle park entry permit is …

MINATARE, Neb. — The public is invited to celebrate National Dog Day by bringing their four-legged friends for a community hike at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area. Hike with Hounds will be Saturday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. beginning at the lighthouse. Along with a stroll along the lake, the event will cover a variety of tips and topics for people to safely hike with their four-legged friends in various parks and wildlands. All socialized dogs are welcome as long …

GERING, Neb. — The Wildcat Hills Shooting Sports Complex at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will be the site of a benefit shooting competition for a veterans service organization Saturday, Aug. 25. Registration for the Western Nebraska Veterans Shoot-out will begin at 8 a.m. with shooting at 9:30 a.m. The double-elimination event is open to the first 60 people and entrants may compete in up to two of the event’s four divisions – two for pistols and two for rifles.  …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rockford Lake in Gage County remains on health alert. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in the lake. Visitors to Rockford Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the water and …