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:
- Elkhorn Crossing (intersection of 252nd & Bennington Road)
- West Maple Road (West Maple Road northeast of Waterloo)
- Graske Crossing (southeast corner of West Dodge Road & west of 204th St.)
River-goers can find out whether the access sites are open or closed here:
- Orange “River Access Sites” button on Papio NRD website homepage
- Papio NRD social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, X, and Threads.
The access sites are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. through November 1.