Walgren Lake experiencing low water levels

Park officials say the low water level at Walgren Lake State Recreation Area has become problematic to boaters.

Josh May, a park superintendent for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said the 50-acre lake 5 miles southeast of Hay Springs is just 5 feet deep in its deepest areas and that boaters are having difficulty launching in the shallow water at the ramp. Rain and water from Hay Springs Creek have not been enough to counter losses from evaporation this year.

Officials say visitors to the Panhandle’s irrigation reservoirs — Box Butte SRA, Lake Minatare SRA and Whitney Lake Wildlife Management Area — also can expect declining levels as water is supplied to irrigators in coming weeks. To view a map of other boat ramps in the state, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/ and scroll to Public Boating Areas.