Flooding has truly affected us all in one way or another. Flooding has impacted my own family.
Below is video from Friday, March 15, 2019 of flood waters going over the access road from Nebraska Highway 30 to Timberwood Lake just west of the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area where my daughter and son-in-law reside. Video courtesy of Wayne Preister of Ames, NE.
My heartfelt thoughts go out to those who must deal with the aftermath of this historic flood directly. Very special thanks to the many first responders and others who put their lives at risk to help folks during the flood with notifications, rescues and provisions.
Also, great appreciation should be noted to the high number of organizations, businesses, agencies, churches and individuals providing relief and recovery efforts to the flood victims. Hopefully, you can assist in some fashion!
Please know that the State of Nebraska is working with public/private partnerships, volunteer organizations, faith-based groups and non-government entities to identify unmet needs with available resources during this flooding disaster. For details, click here.
Here is a news release that we at Game and Parks issued yesterday morning, March 20, 2019, regarding the impact of flooding at state parks and wildlife management areas:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Game and Parks continues to assess damage to state park system following historic flooding
Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continues to assess damage from recent flooding at parks and wildlife management areas throughout the state.
Some state parks, state historical parks, state recreation areas and wildlife management areas located along rivers and streams in eastern and central Nebraska experienced flooded roads, campgrounds and buildings during the historic and catastrophic flooding of the past week.
Game and Parks staff have been working diligently to assess the extent of the damage, but with many areas still underwater or inaccessible because of flooded or damaged roadways, the full impact of the flood on Nebraska’s state park system and wildlife management areas is not yet known.
A list of parks that are closed, partially closed or accessible only by alternate route is available on the Commission’s website at OutdoorNebraska.org/weatherclosures. Visitors to the page will also find a list of park areas unaffected by flooding. Though some parks are temporarily closed, more than 50 park and recreation areas remain open for outdoor recreation.
Additionally, the Cowboy Trail from Norfolk to Valentine will remain closed until the trail and its bridges can be inspected for safety and necessary repairs made. The public is advised to stay off the trail until it has reopened.
A timeline is not yet in place for reopening areas affected by the flooding. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission asks that those with upcoming camping reservations be mindful that parks staff will not be able to make determinations about when those parks will reopen or answer questions about whether reservations might be impacted until after water levels recede. Individuals with advance reservations at areas impacted will be notified if the status of their reservation is affected as soon as parks staff are able to complete assessments of the parks and services.
Access to some wildlife management areas may be difficult because county roads and bridges have been washed out in some areas. For information on specific wildlife management areas, please contact your local Game and Parks district office. Contact information is available online at OutdoorNebraska.org/locations.
Questions about specific park closures should be directed to Game and Parks headquarters at 402-471-0641. As waters recede and reopening dates are set for specific parks, announcements will be posted at OutdoorNebraska.org
The Game and Parks Commission will accept volunteer help in the recovery of its affected parks and other areas. Individuals or groups who want to volunteer to help the Commission’s cleanup efforts can notify Game and Parks at outdoornebraska.gov/volunteer. Game and Parks staff will alert those who wish to volunteer of opportunities to do so as priority areas are identified.
You may have caught wind of this by now: Anglers, biologists join forces in Midwest Walleye Challenge Anglers and biologists are joining forces to bring a new kind of fishing tournament to...
Spring Wild Turkey Hunting: Addiction, Obsession, Passion
Noted turkey hunter and outdoor writer Tom Kelly once wrote, “I do not hunt turkeys because I want to. I hunt them because I have to. I would, really, rather not. But I am helpless in the grip of...
If you have been paying any attention at all to modern sportfishing, you know that forward-facing sonar is THE latest, greatest technology. There are all kinds of debates ongoing about what this...
Trail cameras on the Platte River catches sandhill cranes on their bellies. Story and photos by Eric Fowler Do sandhill cranes sleep? On their bellies? In a wooded creekbottom? From what we know...
A championship duck caller shares his methods for success. By Todd Mills It’s one thing to call in ducks from a blind, but to compete and earn a championship title, competitive callers have to...
We have open water early this spring. I know, everyone has the fever and cannot wait to hit the water and catch some fish. . . . Then they find out that the water is still darned cold, the...
It is that time of year again. Wanna spread the word on this: Join Game and Parks in virtual discussion on fisheries in March Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in a virtual discussion...
In March, the millions of ducks that move through Nebraska are just as impressive as the gathering of sandhill cranes. By Eric Fowler When it comes to birdwatching in Nebraska in March, sandhill...
As Nebraska celebrates its 157th year of statehood, an iconic, representative symbol of the state is the official tree — the native eastern cottonwood. The 1972 legislature named the eastern...
I am betting many of you were at least a little bothered with the FaceBook outage this week. That reminded me of a meme I had seen. Some of you are old enough to “get this”. For those of you who...
While you wait for the spring turkey opener, here are a few hunting seasons still open. By Jeff Kurrus There are years when I don’t want to put down my shotgun, even in late winter or early...
As you know we have open water early this year. Yes, fish are being caught already. I am also hearing questions about early open water and spawning seasons. This discussion comes up every...
The American mink is becoming increasingly prevalent in Nebraska’s aquatic ecosystems. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist In the quiet corners of the Midwest, among the rustling...
Youth Fishing Instructor Certification, Spring 2024
News release on this went out a few weeks ago and I know that many of you have already signed up. However, I want to post a reminder and I will always make a post to publicize this opportunity:...
Green grass shoots are sprouting in my Elkhorn, NE yard. The days are getting longer. Water temperatures are warming. The time is now to get ready for some early open-water fishing action! Emma...
From what I am hearing, you better go fishing this weekend. Things are getting a little tense at the tackle shop: Seriously, I know it is “spring” and we all have the itch. Also know that it is...
As soon as our ice season came to its unfortunate early end, my phone started ringing. “When will you be stocking trout?” About the same time every year, March. And now we have a schedule: Two...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking for an agricultural tenant to graze at Muskrat Run Wildlife Management Area. The 205-acre area is located about 4.5 miles west and two miles north...
We have open water exceptionally early this year, some exceptionally warm weather too. That means folks want to fish!!!!! Before you head out, know that in at least some parts of the state, water...
Determining if a match set or pair of shed antlers are from the same deer
By: Brian Peterson and Greg Wagner Brian Peterson is a wildlife biologist at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) and coordinates the M.S Biology Online Program. His research focus is...