Outdoor Report

February 27^th, 2010

Lake Elevation:  3241.7 Feet Above Sea Level

Water Temperature:  31?⁰F Lake is froze over (Surface Water Temperature)

Headquarters Office Hours:  Current Office Hours:

8:00am - 5:00pm   Mon. – Fri.  Closed Saturday and Sunday

Attention Campers:  All of the park facilities are now closed for the winter.  We still have water to some hydrants around the lake and the electricity in the modern campgrounds is on year-round.  With most of the facilities being winterized, we go to winter rates, which is $5.00 off the posted price.  Fall and winter is a great time to camp and you can make reservations for the upcoming 2010 season.  To make reservations you can call the reservation hotline at 402-471-1414, go online at www.OutdoorNebraska.org, or at the Lake McConaughy Visitors Center at 308-284-8800.

 Boat Ramps:  There are currently no boat docks in the water, with the lake totally frozen over.  With the rising water levels however, there will be at least 8 useable concrete boat ramps in the water for the 2010 season. 

 Visitor Center Hours:  The Lake McConaughy Visitors Center will be closed on weekends during the winter.  The Visitors Center will be open from 8am to Noon and 1pm to 5pm Monday through Friday for the winter months.  We have completed most of the fire restoration in the Water Center wing.  I encourage anyone who is interested in the use of water and Kingsley Dam history, to take a self-guided tour through the water center and tell us what you think.

Fishing Report: Courtesy of Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Fisheries    Division, Lake McConaughy

Lake McConaughy - The surface water temperature is around 31?⁰F or totally froze over, with inflows of approximately 994 cfs.  

Lake Ogallala – Lake Ogallala is now refilled. Central’s project of digging the ditch on the north side of the Keystone Basin is complete.  NPPD is currently taking water to fill Sutherland Reservoir.  Fisheries have also begun stocking trout in Lake Ogallala.

North Platte River - Water is being released with flows of approximately 163 cfs. 

Keystone Canal - Water is being released with flows of approximately 223 cfs. 

Lake McConaughy Lake Elevations Courtesy of Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District

Lake elevation as of Saturday, February 27^th is 3241.7 above sea level, compared to 3241.3 ft.a week ago, and 3227.6 a year ago.  Lake McConaughy has reached its 2009 high elevation of 3233.5 on July 7^th, 2009, the low elevation for 2009 was 3228.6 on Sept. 18, 2009, which means the lake level dropped only 4.9 vertical feet all summer. Currently we have gained the 4.9 feet we lost and are already 8.2 feet above the 2009 high elevation.  The Lake is currently 23.3 feet below or 64.6% of its capacity of 3265.0   

Park Notes

Spring Turkey Season:  The 2010 spring turkey season is approaching quickly, with permits available online starting, January 11, 2010.  There have been several changes to the spring season.  Youth permits are now only $5 dollars and spring hunters may hunt in the archery and shotgun seasons under a spring turkey permit.  Archery season starts March 25^th with shotgun starting April 10^th.  Permits are available online at www.OutdoorNebraska.gov or at the Lake McConaughy park office.  

Summer Employment:  The Lake McConaughy Park office is now accepting applications for seasonal employment.  We are looking for self-motivated, hard working, public relations oriented individuals to fulfill a variety of temporary positions including general maintenance (mowing/painting/dirt work/etc.), landscaping, office staff, entrance station attendants and other needed duties.  Flexible scheduling for day, evening, and weekend shifts available, however most jobs require employees to be 18 years of age or older.  An application may be acquired at the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center or call (308) 284-8800 for more information.

Campground Host Program – The Lake McConaughy office is accepting applications for Campground Hosts for the 2010 season.  Nebraska Campground Hosts are volunteers, who serve without pay, to share their camping know-how and love for the outdoors.  They welcome visitors, acquaint them with park facilities, and act as a liaison with the Commission’s park staff.  Hosts receive free camping with electricity.  Please call the Lake McConaughy Visitors Center at (308) 284-8800 for more information.

2010 Schedule of Events

Lake McConaughy SRA

April 25, Big Mac Archery Club, 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake McConaughy
Dennis Dahlkoetter, (308) 352-4775, www.bigmacsportsclub.com

May 1, Catfish Classic Tournament, Kingsley Dam to Oshkosh Bridge
Darrell Morrow, Oregon Trail Trading Post, (308) 778-5879

May 1&2, Colorado Walleye Association, Walleye Tournament, Lake McConaughy Launching from Divers Bay, Barry Cundiff, (303) 401-2782

May 15, Terry McCormick Memorial Walleye Tournament, Lake McConaughyDarrell Morrow, Oregon Trail Trading Post, (308) 778-5879

May 22&23, Shut Up & Fish Walleye Tournament, Lake McConaughy
Darrell Morrow, Oregon Trail Trading Post, (308) 778-5879

May 29, Boating Safety Course, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center
Scott Eveland, 1475 Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE  69153 (308) 284-8800

May 30, Big Mac Archery Club, 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake McConaughy
Dennis Dahlkoetter, (308) 352-4775, www.bigmacsportsclub.com

June 5, Go Fish Kids Fishing Clinic and Water Expo, Lake Ogallala Fishing, Boating Safety, Paddle Sports, Scott Eveland, (308) 289-0017

June 12, Boating Safety Test Only, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center
Scott Eveland, 1475 Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE  69153 (308) 284-8800

June 20&21, Nebraska Walleye Association Tournament, Lake McConaughy
Launching from Martin Bay, Rob Hadan, (308) 263-2026

June 26, Boating Safety Course, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center
Scott Eveland, 1475 Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE  69153 (308) 284-8800

June 27, Big Mac Archery Club, 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake McConaughy
Dennis Dahlkoetter, (308) 352-4775, www.bigmacsportsclub.com

July 3, Boating Safety Test Only, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center
Scott Eveland, 1475 Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE  69153 (308) 284-8800

July 10&11, Hobie Fleet 61 Sailboat Regatta, Lake McConaughy
East Side of Theis Bay, Stephen Cooley, (303) 980-0591

July 24, Boating Safety Course, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center
Scott Eveland, 1475 Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE  69153 (308) 284-8800

July 25, Big Mac Archery Club, 900 Archery Shoot, Lake McConaughy
Dennis Dahlkoetter, (308) 352-4775, www.bigmacsportsclub.com

July 31, 21^st Annual Kites and Castles, Sand Castle & Kite Flying Contests
Martin Bay – Lake McConaughy, Tyson Baker, (308) 287-2673

July 31, “The Dam Run” 5K/1mile walk/run at Lake McConaughy
Sponsored by Rotary Club, Kendra Caskey, (308) 284-4354

July 31&Aug 1, NWT Regional Championship Walleye Tournament, Lake McConaughy Darrell Morrow, Oregon Trail Trading Post, (308) 778-5879

Aug 7, Boating Safety Test Only, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center
Scott Eveland, 1475 Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE  69153 (308) 284-8800

Sept. 3,4&5, Hobie Fleet 61 Sailboat Regatta, Lake McConaughy
East Side of Theis Bay, Stephen Cooley, (303) 980-0591

Sept. 4, Boating Safety Test Only, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center
Scott Eveland, 1475 Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE  69153 (308) 284-8800

Sept. 10-12, Toucan Open Windsurfing Event, Lake McConaughy
East of Sandy Beach, Karen Marriott, (303) 355-0654

Sept. 18&19, 7^th Annual Big Mac Fall Classic/Walleye Tournament, Lake McConaughy Jake Latendresse, JK Outdoors, (308) 355-2793