Glenn Cunningham Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glenn Cunningham Lake |
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 Glenn Cunningham Lake
Location in Nebraska
Glenn Cunningham Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Coordinates | 41°21′04″N 96°03′21″W / 41.3511°N 96.0558°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 390 acres (1.6 km2) |
| Max. depth | 23 ft (7.0 m) |
Glenn Cunningham Lake is a large, man-made lake in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It covers about 390-acre (1.6 km2) of water. This lake is a type of reservoir, which means it was built to store water.
You can find the lake along 96th Street. There are several entrances, including from State Highway 36 and State Street. The lake is part of the Little Papillion Creek, which flows into the larger Papillion Creek.
Contents
What is Glenn Cunningham Lake?
Glenn Cunningham Lake is a big, artificial lake. It was created by people, not by nature. The lake is located in the north-central part of Omaha. It has a surface area of about 390 acres. The deepest part of the lake is around 23 feet (7 meters).
More than 1,050 acres (4 km2) of parkland surrounds the lake. This includes 450 acres (1.8 km2) north of Nebraska Highway 36. This northern area is set aside as a special wildlife area.
Who Was Glenn C. Cunningham?
The lake is named after Glenn C. Cunningham. He was an important person in Omaha's history. Mr. Cunningham served as the mayor of Omaha for many years. He also worked as a member of the United States Congress. This means he helped make laws for the entire country.
Why Was the Lake Built?
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built Glenn Cunningham Lake. They are a group that works on big construction projects. The lake was built for two main reasons. One reason was for flood control. This means it helps prevent areas from flooding when there is a lot of rain.
The second reason was for recreation. Recreation means fun activities. The lake opened to the public in 1977. People could come here to enjoy boating, fishing, and other outdoor fun.
Lake Restoration and Challenges
Over the years, the lake has needed some special care. In 2006, the lake was completely drained. This was done to fix its natural systems. This big project is called an ecosystem reconstruction. It helped make the lake healthier for plants and animals. The work was finished in 2009. By 2010, the lake was fully open again for activities like sailing.
However, the lake faced another challenge in 2019. It was closed and drained again. This time, it was because of invasive species. Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to an area. They can cause harm to the local environment. They can also affect the health of the lake.
