Lake McConaughy

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake McConaughy
image_lake = Lake McConaughy Kite Surfing (800485270).jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Nebraska
coords = coord|41|13|30|N|101|43|00|W|region:US-NE_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length = convert|22|mi|km|abbr=on
width = convert|4|mi|km|1|abbr=on
area = convert|35700|acre|km2|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth = convert|142|ft|m|abbr=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =

Lake McConaughy is a reservoir, convert|9|mi|km north of Ogallala, Nebraska, United States, near U.S. Highway 26 and Nebraska Highway 61.

History and overview

The lake is a man-made body of water that is convert|22|mi|km long, convert|4|mi|km wide at its largest point, and convert|142|ft|m deep near the dam (at full capacity) – it was constructed between 1936 and 1941 and is fed by the North Platte River. When full, the reservoir is convert|35700|acre|km2 and has convert|105|mi|km of sandy shoreline making it the largest reservoir in Nebraska. It has the nickname "Big Mac".

The initial purpose of Lake McConaughy was to serve as an irrigation reservoir for southwest Nebraska and to fuel a hydroelectricity plant in conjunction with its counterpart: Kingsley Dam.

Lake McConaughy is surrounded by several small communities – Ogallala, Lewellen, Keystone, Arthur, Oshkosh, and Lemoyne. Denver is the closest metropolitan city and is located convert|200|mi|km away.

For many years Lake McConaughy has been a popular place for fishing, boating, water sports, camping and hunting in the area.

Kingsley Dam

Kingsley Dam is located on the east side of Lake McConaughy and is the largest earthen dam in the world. It was built as part of the New Deal project. The dam is convert|162|ft|m tall, convert|3.1|mi|km long, and 1,100 wide at its base. On the east side of the dam is Lake Ogallala and on the south side is the Kingsley Hydroelectricity Plant. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District are also located in this area. Kingsley Dam, the Kingsley Hydroelectricity Plant, and the Morning Glory – a large structure near the dam used to release water from the lake – are main visual icons of the Lake McConaughy.

Fish and Wildlife

Lake McConaughy is home to 12 species of fish, eight species of amphibians, 16 species of reptiles, and over 300 species of birds.

Fish

Lake McConaughy is a common location for fishing tournaments and has yielded some record breaking fish for angling enthusiasts. During early spring when there is ice on the west end of the lake it provides channel catfishing. In late April-early May, walleye fishing along the dam is favorable – in June and July walleye fishermen have better luck fishing in the bays. Other common fish in Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala include: rainbow trout, white bass, striped bass, wipers (a hybrid of the white bass and striped bass), and large- and small-mouth bass. The current Nebraska state record for walleye was caught in Lake McConaughy and weighed convert|16|lb|2|oz|abbr=on.

The Nebraska Game and Parks commission keeps a watchful eye on fish populations in Lake McConaughy. Feeding experiments and stomach content analysis tests are done on a regular basis to see what the fish are eating and what fish are eating them.

Mammals

The lake is surrounded mainly by sandhill prairies, natural ridges, and small communities. Because of the remote location, wildlife is able to thrive in the area. Deer – both mule and whitetail – can often be caught drinking from the shorelines; jack rabbits, cottontail rabbits, voles, prairie dogs, coyotes and red foxes are commonly sighted in the area.

Birds

Birding at Lake McConaughy is very popular. Most of its popularity can be attributed to the large population of bald eagles, but a bird watching enthusiast will be able to see a variety of ducks, geese, and other birds while they are visiting.

Bald Eagles

Since bald eagles are rarely found far away from water, and congregate where dead or injured fish can be found, Lake McCognaughy and Lake Ogallala are perfect locations for them to nest and feed. Most of the eagles in this area are found on the Lake Ogallala side of Kingsley Dam. Because of the hydroelectric plant, many fish are injured or killed passing through the turbines of the plant and require little effort for the eagle to catch. Since these tail water areas seldom freeze, even during very cold winter weather, the eagle can dine here all season long.

Cottonwood trees in Nebraska are prime places for eagle nesting, but conifers are preferred when they are the dominant tree species. They are also known to nest on cliffs – since there aren’t a lot of those in southwest Nebraska, cottonwoods are the most common place to find an eagle nest.

The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation district provides an eagle viewing center that is located below the south side of Kingsley Dam and attracts many visitors during nesting season. After the center was constructed in 1996 The center is open to the public and is a great place for field trips and family gatherings. The best time to watch eagles feed is early in the morning – eagle counts are down in recent years due to drought conditions but you can usually catch a few early in the morning swooping down to catch injured fish by the hydroelectric plant. It is important for visitors to remain in the facilities when eagle viewing. Eagles are easily disturbed and are particularly wary of humans – trying to approach the birds or loud noises can scare them away from the area.

Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area

Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area is located at the upper end of Lake McConaughy and encompasses over convert|6000|acre|km2 of land and water. This is an excellent location for avian enthusiasts to go birding as well as outdoor enthusiasts to hunt the Canada goose. Common birds found in the Clear Creek Wildlife Management area are: bobolinks, Wilson’s snipes, white pelicans, and barn owls. Although it is one of the state’s best birding areas, mosquitoes are a problem in the area during the summer months.

Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks. The area is primarily oriented to the Canada goose. Clear Creek includes a convert|2500|acre|km2|sing=on waterfowl refuge on the North Platte River, a convert|600|acre|km2|sing=on controlled hunting area (for waterfowl), and around convert|2000|acre|km2 of public hunting lands on the west end of Lake McConaughy.

Clear Creek is supported by funds from the sale of Nebraska hunting permits that are administered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Wildlife Division. Public hunting lands provide excellent shooting for small game, waterfowl and deer. The whole area is open to fishing.

Drought

Drought has impacted Lake McConaughy severely in recent years. At the present time the lake is only at 35.5% capacity making it only convert|16|mi|km long instead of its original convert|22|mi|km it reached in 1951. This still leaves plenty of room for campers and boating enthusiasts to enjoy summer weather at Big Mac.

Since construction of Kingsley Dam was completed in 1941, the shoreline has undergone many changes by wave erosion, mass wasting (high stands), and by fluvial and eolian processes (low stands). It is estimated that the shoreline has retreated about 266 meters at one site since the reservoir was first full. By November 2000, the drought, reduced runoff and snowmelt, and discharge from the lake lowered the pool level by ten meters below its highest recent stand. This exposed nearly continuous bedrock along the southeastern shore. These exposures revealed low cliffs, stacks, caves, and wave-cut bedrock terraces. The drought has not let up much since these measurements were taken and the lake has become even significantly lower. Shoreline retreat, paired with beach and lake-shelf erosion at low stand, is clearly endangering some high-value structures – beaches, docks, landings and residences, etc. Without drastic and nearly fiscally impossible engineering actions being taken, shoreline wasting and erosion will continue until some geomorphic equilibrium is reached.

Drought not only has affected the area geographically, but from a recreational standpoint as well; it is creating more problems than benefits. Lower water levels put boating and water sports enthusiasts in danger. Exposed rocks, debris, and dunes are difficult to see until the boater is too close to react and can cause damage to vessels as well as injury and death to those involved.

Habitat loss is also becoming a concern for underwater wildlife. Caves being exposed where fish once thrived and less overall area for them to live in could pose possible threats to their survival.

Conservation

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are active in conserving the biodiversity at Lake McConaughy. Other organizations that help are Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Natural Resource Districts, as well as many others.

The eagle viewing station is a prime example of how education and hands-on-experiences are being used to keep the public aware of an important species and teaching them the importance of protecting it.

Campers, boaters, and visitors to the lake are constantly reminded to “Only Leave Your Footprints”, as it is printed on large cement structures all over the area-keeping the beaches and water free of debris helps to protect existing wildlife as well as the environment as a whole. School, church, and local organizations also take part in trash pick ups and litter control.

Employees of the Game and Parks commission spend much of their summer mowing and combing the beaches. With low water levels due to drought conditions it is important to maintain a safe environment for existing wildlife and human visitors to the lake.

Future of Lake McConaughy

Drought will essentially determine what the future of Lake McConaughy will look like. Southwest Nebraska has received more moisture in the last couple of years than it has for about ten. However, irrigation has not slowed down in the area and even with the extra moisture in drought conditions, it will take years to replenish the reservoir, if it ever is restored to full capacity.

Wildlife, though still abundant in the area, could find it hard to survive with less water and more development going up around the lake. Approximate development value for the area is currently over $70 million and is growing each year resulting in habitat loss and even more water consumption.

The eagle population has seen an increase in the last few years. As long as Lake Ogallala has water, the population should remain on the rise. Conservationists and bird enthusiasts are doing a variety of things to educate the public and make them aware of the eagle’s situation.

What We Can Do

Many programs through local organizations are already taking action to protect and conserve Lake McConaughy. The lake brings in so much extra revenue each summer that the area cannot afford to lose it.

Setting aside land for wildlife reserves, such as the Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area, is a great way to protect an area’s wildlife and nature. Rather than building new houses, cabins, golf courses, and restaurants, wildlife reserves would be a solution to protecting Lake McConaughy. Allowing hunting and fishing in the area helps to keep people interested in the area, and makes the outdoorsmen realize the importance of conserving an area they enjoy visiting.

Continued research and education about droughts, water use and allocation, and erosion will help the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the general public to manage the area to their best ability. The area is constantly being surveyed to test water levels and changes to the landscape.

Lake McConaughy is still the largest man-made reservoir in Nebraska, even under the circumstances of the drought. However, without proper care and management practices, it could easily evaporate into a large, sandy, rocky hole.

References

*Carrol, D., High Bank Trout. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE. Nebraskaland Magazine. Available from http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/nebland/articles/fishing/trout.asp (accessed December 2007).
*Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation Department. Updated November 6, 2007. Eagle Viewing. Holdrege, NE. Available at http://www.cnppid.com/Eagle-viewing.htm (accessed December 2007).
*Diffendal, R.F. Jr., and Joeckel, R.M., 2001. Solid Rock or Shifting Sand…It May Not Matter: Shoreline Degradation at Nebraska’s Largest Manmade Lake. Geological Society of America. Lincoln, NE.
*Diffendal, R.F. Jr., and Joeckel, R.M., 2001. Impacts of a Large Reservoir: Lake McConaughy, Nebraska, USA. Paper No. 151-0. Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Lincoln, NE.
*Fowler, E. Watching Bald Eagles. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE. Nebraskaland Magazine. Available from http://www.ngcp.state.ne.unl/nebland/articles/wildlife/eaglewatch.asp (accessed December 2007).
*Leisure and Sports Review.2007.Lake McConaughy. Available at http://lasr.net/pages/lake.php?Lake_ID=NE04lk008 (accessed December 2007).
*Nebraska Birding Trails. 2007. Lincoln, NE. Sandhills. Available at http://www.nebraskabirdingtrails.com/region.asp?region=6 (Accessed December 2007).
*Peters, E.J., and Porath, M.T., Dec 1997. Walleye Prey Selection in Lake McConaughy, Nebraska: A Comparison between Stomach Content Analysis and Feeding Experiments. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 511-520.