Lake McConaughy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake McConaughy |
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 Lake McConaughy
Location in Nebraska
Lake McConaughy
Location in the United States
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| Location | Keith County, Nebraska, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°13′30″N 101°43′00″W / 41.22500°N 101.71667°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 22 mi (35 km) |
| Max. width | 4 mi (6.4 km) |
| Surface area | 35,700 acres (144 km2) |
| Max. depth | 142 ft (43 m) |
Lake McConaughy is a very large man-made lake in Nebraska, United States. It's a reservoir built on the North Platte River. You can find it about 9 miles (14 km) north of Ogallala. This lake was named after Charles W. McConaughy. He was a businessman and mayor who strongly supported building the lake. His hard work helped create a big project. This project brought power and water for farming to Nebraska. It helped Nebraska become a top farming state.
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Discover Lake McConaughy
Lake McConaughy is a huge man-made lake. It was created by building Kingsley Dam. The lake is about 22 miles (35 km) long. At its widest point, it stretches 4 miles (6.4 km) across. Near the dam, it can be as deep as 142 feet (43 m).
Building the Big Lake
Construction of the lake happened between 1936 and 1941. The North Platte River feeds water into the lake. When the lake is full, it holds a lot of water. It covers about 35,700 acres (144 km²) of land. The shoreline stretches for 76 miles (122 km). This makes it the biggest reservoir in Nebraska.
The main reason for building Lake McConaughy was to store water. This water was needed for irrigation. It helped farmers grow crops in the area. Later, a hydro-electric power plant was added. This plant started making electricity in 1984.
Building the lake also created many jobs. More than 1,500 people worked on the project. This was during a time when jobs were hard to find. The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID) owns and runs the dam and the lake. They also operate the power plant.
Where the Water Comes From
Most of the water in Lake McConaughy comes from the North Platte River. Water flows into the lake from a huge area. This area is about 32,500 square miles (84,000 km²) to the west. Other reservoirs in Wyoming also feed the North Platte River. These reservoirs collect rain and melted snow from the mountains. This water is used for farming and making electricity. Water that flows back into the river from these projects helps fill Lake McConaughy.
Lake Ogallala: The Little Lake
On the east side of Kingsley Dam, you'll find Lake Ogallala. People often call it the 'Little Lake'. Water from Lake McConaughy flows into Lake Ogallala. It goes through a special tower and the power plant. From Lake Ogallala, the water continues down the North Platte River.
Lake Ogallala has rocky shores. It's a very popular spot for camping and fishing.
Fun at Lake McConaughy
Lake McConaughy is a favorite place for many outdoor activities. People enjoy fishing, boating, and various water sports. It's also a great spot for camping and hunting.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) manages a State Recreation Area here. Their main office is at the Lake McConaughy Visitors Center. This center is just south of the dam. Inside, you can learn about water, visit a gift shop, and get information.
Kingsley Dam: A Giant Structure
Kingsley Dam is at the east end of Lake McConaughy. When it was finished, it was the second largest earthen dam in the world. Only the Fort Peck Dam was bigger. The dam was named after George P. Kingsley. He was a banker who worked with Charles W. McConaughy to promote the project.
How the Dam Was Built
Workers built the dam by pumping sand and gravel. This material came from the riverbed. It formed the sides of the dam. Then, they pumped a mix of soil and water into the middle. This created a watertight core. To stop water from seeping under the dam, a special wall was built. This wall goes 30 to 160 feet (9 to 49 m) deep. It connects to a strong clay layer underground.
The dam's surface is protected by over a million tons of rock. It also has more than 180,000 "jackstones." These are concrete shapes that weigh 800 pounds (360 kg) each. The dam stands 162 feet (49 m) tall. It is 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and 1,100 feet (340 m) wide at its base.
The Kingsley Hydroplant is located below the south end of the dam. It started making electricity in 1984.
