Lake McConaughy was built to store water for irrigation purposes, and the hydro-irrigation project formerly known as The Tri-County is now known as Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID).
Camping sites can be reserved up to 180 days in advance, while beach camping spots can be reserved up to 30 days in advance through the online booking system.
Their work is difficult and demanding. Every ecosystem has a wide variety of organisms, plants, people, and locations, all of which have different wants and demands.
How Do I Describe Lake McConaughy?
Lake McConaughy is a man-made body of water known as a reservoir, located on the North Platte River.
The town is situated approximately 9 miles (14 km) to the north of Ogallala, Nebraska, in the United States. It is in close proximity to U.S. Highway 26 and Nebraska Highway 61.
The reservoir was designated in honour of Charles W. McConaughy, an individual who held the occupation of a grain merchant and served as the mayor of Holdrege, Nebraska.
McConaughy played a significant role in advocating for and supporting the development of the project.
Despite not witnessing the project’s fruition, his effective leadership and unwavering determination ultimately resulted in the establishment of a public power and irrigation initiative, which significantly contributed to Nebraska’s emergence as a prominent agricultural state within the nation.
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What are the Activities that Can Be Carried Out at Lake McConaughy?
- Boating:
Lake McConaughy is a highly sought-after location for engaging in water-based recreational activities, encompassing a wide range of preferences such as water skiing, tubing, sail boating, and parasailing.
Participants have the option to either bring their own boat or personal watercraft or alternatively, they may choose to rent one from a private outfitter.
Boat ramps can be found at various locations surrounding the lake, contingent upon the prevailing water levels.
Please contact the Visitor Center to inquire about the availability of ramps. The cost associated with mooring at the private dock is $200.
In instances where wind impedes aquatic recreational activities, it is worth noting that Lake Ogallala, situated downstream of the dam, frequently offers a protected environment from prevailing winds.
Certain bays in Lake Mac also exhibit a state of tranquillity during gusty afternoons.
- Fishing:
Fishing has historically been a popular recreational pursuit at Lake McConaughy, owing to the presence of its pristine, deep, and transparent waters.
The game fish species encompass a variety of aquatic organisms, such as walleye, channel catfish, Northern pike, wiper, smallmouth bass, and white bass, among several others.
There are three fish cleaning stations situated in the area, specifically at Martin Bay, Otter Creek, and Cedar View. The region provides a variety of boat ramps equipped with docks, contingent on the water level.
Please contact the Visitor’s Center to inquire about the availability of ramps. Vendors in the vicinity of the lake offer fuel and boat rental services.
- The Lake McConaughy Camping:
During the peak season, which spans from May 20th to September 10th, it is necessary to make an advanced reservation for overnight camping at both Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala state recreation areas.
The reservation system permits individuals to make campground reservations up to 180 days prior to their intended stay, while beach camping reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.
Reservations can be conveniently made through various channels, including online platforms, and mobile applications, or by contacting the reservation hotline at 308-284-8800 during the designated hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
- Hunting:
The majority of Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (SRA) permits hunting activities commencing on the Tuesday subsequent to Labor Day, in accordance with the specified hunting seasons.
Please consult the Public Access Atlas to access information regarding public hunting grounds in the state of Nebraska.
The region offers ample opportunities for hunting small game, turkey, mule and whitetail deer, waterfowl, and upland species.
The adjacent Clear Creek is a conventional wildlife management area that permits hunting, trapping, and fishing during the designated seasons.
The region under consideration spans over 3,200 acres of riparian woodlands, wetlands, river channels, lake beds, and upland grasslands. It presents favourable conditions for hunting deer, turkey, pheasant, and dove.
Individuals who demonstrate a willingness to exert themselves by engaging in a hike to reach the river may potentially experience the gratification of engaging in exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities.
The aforementioned region is adjacent to Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (SRA) and offers unrestricted public entry throughout the year.
The Clear Creek Special Hunting Area (SHA) encompasses approximately 300 acres and is equipped with 10 pit blinds capable of accommodating four individuals each.
This designated area permits hunting activities for waterfowl and various other game species, up until the Monday preceding the Thanksgiving holiday.
At that juncture, access to the region is exclusively granted to individuals who have been allocated a blind via a lottery system conducted daily at the Clear Creek check station.
- Visitor Center & Water Interpretive Center:
The Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretive Center are located approximately 0.25 miles south of Kingsley Dam on Highway 61.
The Visitor Center serves as an excellent initial destination upon arrival, as it encompasses the park office, a gift shop, and public restrooms, while also providing a picturesque vista of the lake.
The Nebraska park entry permits, camping registrations, fishing and hunting licenses, and other pertinent information to enhance one’s visit can be obtained at this location.
The Center additionally accommodates two aquariums with a capacity of 1,000 gallons each, alongside interactive educational exhibits that portray the narrative of water in Nebraska.
These exhibits delve into the historical, hydrological, and geological aspects of the North Platte River Valley and Lake McConaughy.
Gain knowledge regarding the construction of Kingsley Dam through the utilization of authentic photographs and 8mm footage within the confines of the Ethel S. Abbott Theater.
The Visitor and Water Interpretive Center is accessible to the general public during the high season from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a daily basis, and during the low season from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a daily basis.
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- Park programs:
The Park Naturalist organizes a variety of events on a regular basis throughout the year.
For the most recent program information, please consult the Outdoor Calendar, visit the website ilovelakemac.com, or reach out to the Visitor Center.
Lake McConaughy is the venue for a diverse range of special events that take place annually.
For the most recent information on special events, please visit the website ilovelakemac.com or reach out to the Visitor Center.
- Swimming:
Due to the abundance of fine, white sand along its shores, this region is frequently visited by sunbathers and swimmers.
Except if otherwise noted, swimming is permitted in designated beach areas. There are no available lifeguards.
Visitors to Lake McConaughy can find large designated walk-in, beach day-use areas near the Martin Bay, Arthur Bay, Sandy Beach, and Cedar View entrances, as well as a smaller designated walk-in, beach day-use areas within each designated beach camping area.
Camping and driving vehicles are not allowed in certain areas. Around the lake, there are other day-use sites where people can go hiking, bird watching, hunting, or fishing.
Camping and driving vehicles are not allowed in certain areas.
What Is the History of Lake McConaughy?
Kingsley Dam was built between 1936 and 1941, and the North Platte River flows into the resulting 22-mile-long (35-kilometre-wide) and 4-mile-wide (6.4-kilometre-wide) lake. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 142 feet (43 meters) at the dam.
The reservoir is the largest in Nebraska, with a capacity of 1,740,000 acre-feet (2.15 km3), a surface area of 35,700 acres (144 km2), and a shoreline length of 76 miles (122 km).
The hydro-irrigation project formerly known as The Tri-County is now known as Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID), and Lake McConaughy was built to store water for irrigation purposes.
It wasn’t until 1984 that a hydroelectric plant was installed and put into operation. A $19 million PWA grant and a $24 million federal loan (the federal debt was paid off when the loan was refinanced in 1972; the refinanced portion of the debt was paid off in 1995) were used to fund the Project’s total cost of $43 million.
More than 1,500 people were employed on construction projects during the Great Depression.
Located below the dam is a reservoir and hydro plant, all of which are owned and operated by CNPPID, a political subdivision of the state of Nebraska.
Lake McConaughy gets most of its water from the North Platte River. The lake is fed by a drainage region to the west of the dam that encompasses 32,500 square miles (84,000 km2).
The North Platte Projects, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, collect precipitation and snowmelt from the surrounding mountains and put it to use in irrigation and hydropower generation.
The North Platte River is a major source of water for Lake McConaughy due to the return flows from these projects. Lake Ogallala, often known as “Little Lake,” is located on the eastern side of Kingsley Dam.
The North Platte River receives water from Lake McConaughy, passes through the Morning Glory tower, and then exits the dam through the hydroelectric plant and into Lake Ogallala.
This little lake is famous for its excellent fishing and camping, despite its rugged shores. You can also go camping, hunting, and doing water sports on Lake McConaughy.
The lake is home to a State Recreation Area maintained by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC).
The Lake McConaughy Visitors Center is directly south of the dam, and that’s where NGPC has its headquarters.
There is a theater, gift shop, and information desk in the Visitor Center as well as a water interpretation center.
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Conclusion
The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners, with public and stakeholder involvement, established a 20-year management plan for Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala in 2016.
The mission of Nebraska Game and Parks is to ensure that people of all ages have access to Nebraska’s pristine landscapes, thriving ecosystems, and diverse animals.
They are committed to transparency in all that they do and to maintaining the highest ethical standards in everything they do.
They consider it their duty to ensure that these natural riches will be available for future generations to enjoy. Thanks for reading!
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