Lakes, Rivers, and Places to Boat in Western Nebraska

One would tend to think that in the more humid Eastern part of Nebraska, lakes, rivers, and places to boat might be more abundant and perhaps more hospitable to water-lovers, but quite the opposite might be said to be true in the more sandy, beach-y region of Western Nebraska. One’s recreation goals when they visit large bodies of water in the state of Nebraska might tend to make water-goers more apt to enjoy the sandhill region in particular in Western Nebraska.

Lakes, Rivers, and Places to Boat in Western Nebraska - Lake McCounaughy
A person deposited along the sandy banks of Lake McConaughy without knowing that they are in the dry and arid sandhills of Nebraska, might first guess that they are along the banks of a much large body of water, like the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. Visitors enjoy the feel of warm sand against their feet as they walk out to find their “spot” on the beach. Sand is a pleasant feature of lakes in this region.

Although Lake McConaughy definitely dominates the water-scene in Nebraska, and especially Western Nebraska, other lakes, open waters, and rivers offer the boating enthusiast numerous opportunities for water-fun.

Lakes, Rivers, and Places to Boat in Western Nebraska - Lake Maloney
Lake Maloney State Recreation Area in North Platte is another popular destination in the Western end of the state of Nebraska for boating, fishing, and fun. Lake Maloney offers space for camping and swimming as well. Box Butte State Reservation Area in Hemingford, which is in the panhandle region of Western Nebraska, boasts a 1,600 acre lake with boating, fishing, picnicking, and camping facilities. Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area, located 8 miles west of Kimball, is the only water-oriented recreational area in the Southern panhandle of Nebraska, offering two boat ramps. In addition to boating, the Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area also supports fishing, hiking, and hunting. Walgren Lake in the Northern part of Western Nebraska, also has made 2 boat ramps and boat docks available to the public, along with a handicap-accessible fishing pier. There are 40 campsites at Walgren Lake for water-enthusiasts who wish to make their visit more than a day-trip.

Lakes, Rivers, and Places to Boat in Western Nebraska - Merritt Reservoir
Further to the East, but still technically in Western Nebraska, is Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, a premier fishing destination in the state. Although this is a remote boating and fishing location, there are other outdoor activities located nearby.

Lakes, Rivers, and Places to Boat in Western Nebraska - Rivers
Rivers in Western Nebraska are not nearly as hospitable to boating or canoeing as they are on the Eastern side of the state. The big river that pulses through Western Nebraska is the Platte River, which is extremely shallow and these days, with irrigation constantly feeding off of it, it is rather narrow as well. However, up North, the Niobrara River which travels from Eastern to Western Nebraska, is a canoe-paradise, offering one of the best canoe destinations in the United States.

Lakes, Rivers, and Places to Boat in Western Nebraska - List of Lakes, Rivers and Places to Boat
The following is a list of lakes in Western Nebraska:

• Box Butte Reservoir State Reservation Area
• Island Lake
• Lake Minatare State Recreation Area
• Oliver State Recreation Area
• Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area
• Brady Interchange Wildlife Management Area
• Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area
• Hayes Center Lake WMA
• Lake Maloney SRA
• Lake Ogallala SRA
• Medicine Creek SRA (Harry Strunk Lake)
• Red Willow SRA (Hugh Butler Lake)
• Rock Creek Lake SRA
• Swanson Reservoir SRA
• Wellfleet Lake
• Arnold Lake SRA
• Calamus Reservoir SRA
• Cottonwood Lake
• Cottonwood-Steverson Lake WMA
• Hackberry Lake
• Merritt Reservoir SRA
• Pelican Lake
• Shell Lake
• Swan Lake
• Valentine Mill Pond
• West Long Lake
• Bassway Strip WMA
• Cottonmill Lake
• Dogwood WMA
• East Gothenburg WMA
• Kea Lake WMA
• Mormon Island SRA (Middle)
• Mormon Island SRA (West)
• Ravenna Lake SRA
• Sandy Channel SRA
• Sherman Reservoir SRA
• Union Pacific SRA
• Windmill SRA #1
• Windmill SRA #2
• Windmill SRA #3
• Windmill SRA #4
• Yanney Park Lake