The Papio NRD will close all river access parks to the Elkhorn and Platte rivers for the season on November 1st.
The access sites include Elkhorn Crossing, Graske Crossing, West Maple Road, and Platte River Landing.
The access sites will reopen April 1st, 2025.
The Papio NRD Board of Directors voted to decrease the water level that determines the temporary closure of the Elkhorn River Access Sites for safety purposes at its meeting on Thursday, July 11.
Until the vote, the Papio NRD would close the access sites when the water gage at Waterloo read a stage height of five feet or greater. The access sites will now close when the water gage reads a stage height of four feet or greater.
“The Elkhorn River has degraded at least two feet over the past five years, likely due to the large flood events that have occurred,” said Papio NRD General Manager John Winkler. “This has resulted in higher water levels, increased water flows, and no visible sandbars. This makes recreation more dangerous,” said Winkler.
Winkler says recreation is more conducive at the new stage height as sandbars are either visible or just below the surface. As is always the case, Winkler says before sites can reopen, river access ramps may need to be cleaned of silt, debris and safety inspected.
The Elkhorn River Access Sites include:
River-goers can find out whether the access sites are open or closed here:
The access sites are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. through November 1.
High river flows occasionally force the Papio NRD to temporarily close the river access sites for safety purposes. Park closures for Elkhorn River sites are called for when the Elkhorn River gage at Waterloo reads a stage of 4 feet or greater. Platte River Landing will close when the gage at Leshara reads 7 feet or above.
River access ramps may need to be cleaned of silt, debris and safety inspected before reopening.
(A) Elkhorn Crossing (intersection of 252nd & Bennington Road) – CLOSED
(B) West Maple Road (West Maple Road northeast of Waterloo) – CLOSED
(C) Platte River Landing (near Highway 64) – CLOSED
(D) Graske Crossing (southeast corner of West Dodge Road & west of 204th) – CLOSED
The Papio NRD will open the Elkhorn and Platte River access sites for the season on April 1st.
The access sites include:
High river flows occasionally force the Papio NRD to temporarily close the river access sites for safety purposes. Park closures for Elkhorn River sites are called for when the Elkhorn River gauge at Waterloo reads a stage of 5 feet or greater. Platte River Landing will close when the gauge at Leshara reads 7 feet or above.
River access ramps may need to be cleaned of silt, debris and safety inspected before reopening.
You can find out whether the access sites are open or closed throughout the season here:
There are no park entry fees. The access sites are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. through November 1.
Enjoy!
The Papio NRD will open the Elkhorn and Platte River access sites for the season on April 1st.
The access sites include:
High river flows occasionally force the Papio NRD to temporarily close the river access sites for safety purposes. Park closures for Elkhorn River sites are called for when the Elkhorn River gauge at Waterloo reads a stage of 5 feet or greater. Platte River Landing will close when the gauge at Leshara reads 5 feet or above.
River access ramps may need to be cleaned of silt, debris and safety inspected before reopening.
You can find out whether the access sites are open or closed throughout the season here:
There are no park entry fees. The access sites are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. through November 1.
Enjoy!
The Papio NRD will open all access sites to the Elkhorn River for the season on April 1st.
High river flows occasionally force the Papio NRD to temporarily close the river access sites for safety purposes. Park closures for Elkhorn River sites are called for when the Elkhorn River gauge at Waterloo reads a stage of 5 feet or greater. Also, river access ramps may need to be cleaned of silt, debris and safety inspected before reopening.
You can find out whether the access sites are open or closed throughout the season here:
The access sites will be open from April 1 through November 1 from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
In coordination and cooperation with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and local partner agencies, the Papio NRD will open tent and RV camping at Elkhorn Crossing on Saturday, June 6th.
All current local, state, and federal Directed Health Measures are encouraged.