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Outdoor Report
July 13th, 2010
Lake Elevation:
3259.6 Feet Above Sea Level
Water
Temperature: 730F (Surface Water Temp.,
Taken north end of Dam)
Headquarters Office Hours:
Current Office Hours:
8:00am-5:00pm Sun. – Thurs.
8:00am-8:00pm Fri. & Sat.
Attention Campers:
The 2010 summer camping season is in full swing. We have all of
the park facilities open for business. All of the shower
buildings, fish cleaning stations and dump stations are open and
operating. Most of the campgrounds are still half first come –
first served and half reservable. 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 seven boat docks in the water. Cedar Vue
Lakeside, Otter Creek, Lemoyne, Arthur Bay, Martin Bay, Spillway
Bay Front and Back. All docks and buoys are in and ready for use
at these seven locations. Note: Cedar Vue Bayside, Martin Bay
Lakeside and Divers Bay boat ramps are now out of service due to
high water flooding them
Visitor Center Hours:
The Lake McConaughy Visitors Center is now open Sunday –
Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday and Saturdays from 8am to 8pm.
We have all of the fire restoration in the Water Center wing
completed. 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 720F
at the north end of the dam, with inflows of approximately 4,084
cfs. Walleye
angling success remains inconsistent and is scattered throughout
the reservoir. Most 20 inch and larger fish are taken by
anglers casting jigs, crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Smaller and
intermediate size walleye are taken trolling with crankbaits or
worm and spinner rigs.
Nice catches of white bass have been
taken by anglers trolling crankbaits or spinners. More frequent
reports of surface schooling activity have come from the
Lakeview and Spring Park areas. Wipers from 4 to 10 pounds have
been taken by both boat and bank anglers casting jigs or crankbaits
near the shoreline over the entire reservoir.
Channel catfish success has been
very good on the west half of the reservoir and in the channels
of the North Platte River up to Lewellen and further upstream.
Boat and bank anglers are having the best success using shad
entrails or shrimp bait.
Lake Ogallala – The
surface water temperature is around 700F.
Trout fishing success has been fair with bank anglers using
salmon eggs, nightcrawlers or commercial doughbaits. Boat
anglers continue to have improved success trolling or casting
spinners. Approximately 30,000 nine-to-ten inch rainbow trout
have been stocked since the fall 2009 renovation.
North Platte River - Water is being
released with flows of approximately 347cfs.
Keystone Canal - Water
is being released with flows of approximately 1,779 cfs.
Lake
McConaughy Lake Elevations
Courtesy of Central
Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District
Lake
elevation as of Tuesday, July 17th is 3259.6 above
sea level, compared to 3257.2 ft.a week ago, and 3233.0 a year
ago. Lake McConaughy reached its 2009 high elevation of 3233.5
on July 7th, 2009, and the way the lake is coming up
we will not see the 2010 high elevation until the middle of
August. Currently we are already 26.1 feet above the 2009 high
elevation. The Lake is currently 5.4 feet low or 90.8% of its
capacity of 3265.0
Park
Notes
Underwater Hazards:
With water being up 26 vertical feet from this same time last
year, there are a lot more trees, rocks, and other hazards
lurching just under the surface. With the increased water level
there are numerous flooded trees and stumps to watch out for.
These are just a few examples of the underwater hazards that
boaters should be keeping an eye out for.
Swimming Beach:
We have officially re-installed the swimming beach area. The
swimming beach is on the south end of Martin Bay, just like it
was in the 1999 – 2000 era. It is just off of the big parking
lot, south of the “big blue block”. We have signs up and buoys
out in this area. The swim beach is designated a “day use only,
no overnight camping” area, as well as no boat allowed in the
area. It gives visitors a place to come enjoy the beach and
swimming with out the campers and boats interfering.
Kites & Castles:
The annual kite flying and sand castle building contest is
approaching quickly. The event will be on Saturday, July 31st,
in the swimming beach area of Martin Bay. We always look
forward to this event due to its great family atmosphere and
good clean fun had by all. So if you are interested, please
contact Tyson Baker at (308) 287-2673, and we will see you on
the beach!
2010 Schedule of Events
Lake McConaughy SRA
July 25,
Big Mac Archery Club, 900 Archery Shoot, Lake McConaughy
Dennis
Dahlkoetter, (308) 352-4775,
www.bigmacsportsclub.com
July 31,
21st 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,
7th Annual Big Mac Fall Classic/Walleye Tournament,
Lake McConaughy Jake Latendresse, JK Outdoors, (308) 355-2793 |
