Tag Archives: boating

Extremely low water levels at two central Nebraska irrigation reservoirs are challenging boaters. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is asking them to use their best judgment when launching at Calamus and Sherman reservoirs, as many ramps are closed. At Calamus, Homestead Knolls middle lanes, Buckshot Bay west lane, and Nunda Shoal and Valley View flat boat ramps are closed to boater access. Boaters can use Homestead Knolls east and west lanes, and Buckshot Bay east lane. At Sherman, Thunder …

While many Nebraskans are eager to enjoy Memorial Day weekend boating, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges them to be wary of pesky hitchhikers that invade the state’s waters. To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, Game and Parks watercraft inspectors will be checking boats before they launch at lakes around the state. If zebra mussels are found attached to the boat, it will not be allowed to launch. Last year Game and Parks inspected more than 2,000 …

LINCOLN, Neb. –Nebraskans are urged to check boats, boat lifts and docks for invasive species when removing them from water bodies for the winter. Aquatic hitchhikers like zebra mussels can live up to two weeks out of water, and several lakes across the Midwest are first noticed to be infested by people removing boats, lifts and docks for the winter. Young zebra mussels – or veligers – are invisible to the naked eye and can be spread through drops of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – As part of a national effort to reduce the number of accidents and deaths related to boating under the influence, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will participate July 2-4 in Operation Dry Water. While Operation Dry Water is a year-round BUI awareness and enforcement campaign. That effort will be heightened by Game and Parks’ Law Enforcement Division officers July 2-4 at waters across the state. Alcohol use while boating is one of the leading factors in …

It bothers me to no end that people have such cavalier excuses regarding why they don’t want to wear life jackets on the water in a boat. In my 44 years at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, I have seen my share of boating tragedies. I have seen the victims of boating fatalities who were not wearing their life jackets. You never, ever forget them. Often the victims died right in front of close family members and good friends …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The public is advised to avoid an area of the Elkhorn River in Dodge County where natural gas pipelines have become exposed after recent flooding. Northern Natural Gas will be replacing the pipelines, so the public is advised to avoid the river north of Highway 91 and south of County Road J through June 25. Northern says that neither the pipeline nor efforts to replace it pose a risk to public health and safety. However, any boating, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans are urged to not drink alcohol while operating a boat during the Memorial Day weekend, warns the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Boat operators can become impaired with less alcohol than motor vehicle drivers due to heat and dehydration. In Nebraska, it is unlawful to operate a motorboat with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater. Doing so constitutes Boating Under the Influence (BUI), which carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine, up …

LINCOLN, Neb. – No boat ramps are usable in Nebraska along the Missouri River from Interstate 80 to the Kansas border. The river is running high and flood warnings remain in effect for portions of the Missouri from Burt County to the southern border. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission crews recently assessed most of the river boat access. Their findings: From Fort Randall Dam (South Dakota) to Lewis and Clark Lake, Sunshine Bottoms, Verdel Landing WMA, Running Water, and Santee …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – The 5 mph/no wake boating restriction has been removed at Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area in Hitchcock County. The restriction was put in place because of floating tree debris on the lake’s surface. Much of the debris has either been removed or is hung up on shorelines. Even though the restriction has been lifted, the potential of some floating debris remains. Boaters should use extreme caution on the reservoir.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Swanson Reservoir in Hitchcock County is under a 5 mph/no wake boating restriction until further notice because of the presence of a mat of floating debris on the lake surface. Staff are assessing removal of the debris and a public notice will be sent when the boating restriction is removed. Boating and fishing still are allowed on the lake.