LINCOLN, Neb. – A plan to redevelop the flood-prone Dead Timber State Recreation Area is being created, and the public is encouraged to participate by giving feedback. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host a virtual public meeting via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. Central time on March 23 to outline potential design concepts of the plan and take public comments. Register in advance for the meeting at OutdoorNebraska.gov/DeadTimber. A significant portion of Dead Timber, a 200-acre area in Dodge …
Read More »More Flooding
Our great state has experienced some more flooding this past week. It is a cliche, but again we have seen flooding like we have never seen before. Most of you are probably aware that parts of central Nebraska had up to 10 inches of rain in one night last week, and well, when there is that much rain, that fast, there is going to be flooding in places where we have never seen it before. No doubt, flooding impacts fisheries; …
Read More »Willow Creek SRA regains full functionality
LINCOLN, Neb. – Willow Creek State Recreation Area is the latest state park area to regain full operations following spring flooding. Willow Creek, located in Pierce County in northeastern Nebraska, has 101 electric camping pad sites. All electrical service has been restored to the campground. Aside from camping, the park offers opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking and biking. The state park areas are a great place to spend Father’s Day on June 16. Visit calendar.outdoornebraska.gov/ for a list …
Read More »Updates, Water Keeps A-Coming
I realize that the big Memorial Day weekend is behind us, so when I mention these updates, some of you are going to say, “Thanks for nothing, wish you would have told me this five days ago”. Sorry. However, in my defense, a couple of these just came across the wire: Flooding prompts Cottonwood Lake closure MERRIMAN, Neb. — Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area in north-central Nebraska has been temporarily closed because rains have flooded the park’s access road and …
Read More »Access restored to park areas following historic flooding
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reopened all or portions of several state park areas that were temporarily closed after sustaining damage during March’s historic flood. The flood damaged roads, campgrounds, electrical hookups, boat ramp and docks, buildings and other structures. Parks staff and volunteers worked quickly to clear debris, repair damaged infrastructure and ensure public safety. Even so, access to some areas and services may be limited in certain locations. The following park areas are …
Read More »Turkey hunting conditions improve; volunteers aid parks’ cleanup effort
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s shotgun turkey season appears to be off to a good start one month after a catastrophic flood and severe winter storm hit the state. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continues to assess damage on its properties as cleanup and repairs have begun. For hunters, turkeys that likely had been displaced from traditional spring habitats, such as riparian areas, likely will begin returning to those areas soon. Hunters should find turkeys breaking up and spreading out. …
Read More »Cleanup, repairs begin at Game and Parks properties
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has begun the cleanup and repair of its parks and wildlife management areas affected by the March flooding. Much work remains in assessing the impact of the damage at some state parks, state historical parks, state recreation areas and wildlife management areas. Road, buildings, campgrounds and lakes were affected. Among the major state park areas still closed are Niobrara State Park, Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area (SRA), Two Rivers SRA, Schramm …
Read More »Game and Parks working proactively to assess conditions at state park areas
LINCOLN, Neb. – While most state park areas across the state are open, some state parks, state historical parks, state recreation areas and wildlife management areas located along rivers and streams in eastern and central Nebraska remained temporarily closed following recent flooding. Game and Parks staff have been working diligently to assess the damage and develop recovery plans for affected areas. A list of parks that are closed, partially closed or accessible only by alternate route is available on the …
Read More »Flooding Has Affected Us All
Flooding has truly affected us all in one way or another. Flooding has impacted my own family. Below is video from Friday, March 15, 2019 of flood waters going over the access road from Nebraska Highway 30 to Timberwood Lake just west of the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area where my daughter and son-in-law reside. Video courtesy of Wayne Preister of Ames, NE. Posted by Greg Wagner on Friday, March 15, 2019 My heartfelt thoughts go out to those who …
Read More »Update on Spring Trout Stocking
It is going to take a while to sort out what impacts all of this flooding is going to have on our recreation, wildlife, and parks areas. Likewise, it is going to take some time for us to evaluate just what the impacts are going to be to many private and public fisheries. Right now, I have heard a lot of things, some I know to be true, but some I am going to wait until we know more. I …
Read More »