OutdoorNebraska

4 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • Floating The Good Life INTRODUCTION W A T E R T R A I L S Nebraska has some of the most scenic and beautiful waterways in the nation. There is no better way to experience those rivers, creeks, and lakes than drifting along in a kayak, canoe, tube or whatever you have that floats. Nebraska has a diverse and impressive array of navigable waters, from the challenging Dismal River in the west with its sharp turns, occasional rapids and tight channel to the open expanse and braided channel of the Lower Platte River. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) wants to help communities take advantage of the amazing natural resources that exist in their own backyards. Water trails can provide recreational opportunities, improve citizens' quality of the life, and create tourist opportunities that drive a community's economy. The intent of this guide is to give local organizations and governments assistance in planning for, building, and promoting water trails. Water is property of the state, but private individuals and government entities own the adjacent land. NGPC recognizes that having an interconnected system of water trails will require a great deal of help and partnerships with local communities. Local organizations and governments can organize the support and labor needed to operate and maintain a successful water trail. From the put-ins and take-outs to cleanup efforts, promotion, and education, local buy-in creates the best and most successful water trails. According to the Outdoor Foundation, paddle sports saw a 14 percent increase in participation nationally between 2010 and 2014. This equates to more than 3 million new paddlers in only four years. On average, each participant will go on seven outings in a year for 215.8 million annual outings. New technologies in kayak design, the increased usage of stand-up paddleboards, and use of simpler paddle craft such as tanks and tubes have fueled this growing segment of outdoor recreation. These kayaks and paddleboards are bringing in a younger generation of paddlers that wants to try something new and challenging. With new kayak designs that make getting into and out of them easier and the availability of outfitters running tubing and tanking trips, the public is engaging in water recreation at all-time high levels. This is the time to take advantage and work toward providing this type of recreational opportunity in local communities. BOY SCOUTS LAUNCH THEIR CANOES AND KAYAKS FROM THEIR TENT CAMPSITE ON THE BANKS OF THE NIOBRARA RIVER FORT ROBINSON STATE PARK FISHING

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