Big Lake

[Coyote]

Bill that would create lake between Lincoln and Omaha moves forward

[TransitOriented]

From AM 2300:

The land selected for the lake shall be owned by the state, and the department shall ensure that the general public has complete access to the lake. No private entity involved in the constructing, developing, or managing of the lake shall designate any portion of the lake for exclusively private use.

Let's see how that goes. My interpretation is that if a house is built on the beach, the public can walk the entirety of the beach and the homeowner would not own the land immediately in front of the water.

Also, I do have a bit of first hand experience with houses built along the river. My guess is that these will all be half million dollar and higher homes. The ground level floor is a garage with no living space. The next level up contains living space and a balcony. Next level up is additional bedrooms. It's due to building codes and floodplains.

[Louie]

From AM 2300:

The land selected for the lake shall be owned by the state, and the department shall ensure that the general public has complete access to the lake. No private entity involved in the constructing, developing, or managing of the lake shall designate any portion of the lake for exclusively private use.

Let's see how that goes. My interpretation is that if a house is built on the beach, the public can walk the entirety of the beach and the homeowner would not own the land immediately in front of the water.

Also, I do have a bit of first hand experience with houses built along the river. My guess is that these will all be half million dollar and higher homes. The ground level floor is a garage with no living space. The next level up contains living space and a balcony. Next level up is additional bedrooms. It's due to building codes and floodplains.

With newer developments they typically pump the sand right up on to the beach to lift it out of the higher insurance risk floodplain zones. Then the walkout basements can having living areas and the like.

[Coyote]

Legislature approves 4,000-acre lake near Omaha; Ashland prepares for possibilities



The preliminary preferred location of the $1 billion lake is around the Linoma Beach area in Sarpy County.

[bigredmed1]

That can't be it. There are an ocean sized number of boats portrayed here. That lake wouldn't handle half them. What will happen when the Platte floods into it like the Elkhorn did up north?

[GetUrban]

The scale looks all wrong in that image. If not, they are basically showing a lake half-filled with boat slips skirting the apparently tamed Platte River. Yet it’s moving forward nonetheless.

[Coyote]

Bill that would create lake near Omaha passes in Nebraska Legislature



KLKNTV - Lincoln Channel 8 | Nebraska Now

[Coyote]

Unicameral wraps up 'one of the best sessions in state history'



Major agenda items passed include personal income and corporate income tax cuts and the planning of a new lake near Omaha.

[Coyote]

Nebraska developer gears up to win OK for RV park/airboat marina
on Platte River

The controversial proposal to build an RV and airboat park along the Platte River may still have life. Brad Brown, who builds high-end homes in the Omaha area, will attempt next week to convince the Valley City Council to greenlight his plan to turn approximately 92 acres along the river into an RV park. Brown's proposal, which was rejected by the Valley Planning Commission in June, goes before the City Council on Tuesday. In a text message Wednesday, Brown said he and his team have fine-tuned their proposal.

"Over the past 6 weeks, we have worked hard to listen to the concerns of our neighbors and revise our development plan consistent with the Douglas County Comprehensive Development Plan for floodways (the river side of the levee)," he wrote. "We further researched and revised our development plan to be substantially similar to the recreational and camping areas created by the Papio-River Natural Resource District." Brown declined to say what changes he is making, saying that as a courtesy to the Valley City Council, he wanted to present his updated plan to them first.

Opponents fear he could receive a favorable vote. The result, they say, would bring noise, congestion and declining property values to their river getaway. "It is my understanding that the City Council is considering overturning the decision of the Planning Commission," said Rich Tesar, who owns property nearby and is an elected board member of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. "We're told our property values could go down 25 to 30%. And there is a lot of concern about the airboat noise — it will be like living next to an airport."



A Nebraska developer is proposing to build an RV park with airboat access on this area of the Platte River. The developer said the proposal has been fine-tuned ahead of a scheduled vote by the Valley City Council on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

[Coyote]

Legislative report says dams could mitigate flooding on lower Platte River
Consultant looked at 21 possible sites on tributaries, including the Elkhorn and Loup Rivers, and Wahoo and Logan Creeks

LINCOLN — A recent legislative study into developing a huge recreational lake between Omaha and Lincoln was careful to reassure residents of Ashland that it wouldn’t include damming the Platte River and flooding the town of Ashland. That idea, part of past proposals to spur development between the state’s two largest cities, stirred up a flood of controversy. But that doesn’t mean dams ought not to be considered elsewhere, a consultant’s report concluded. A draft final report for the Nebraska Legislature’s special STAR WARS committee shows that while a dam near Ashland isn’t being considered, 21 reservoirs across eastern and central Nebraska deserve a look.

The report, issued in May after the Nebraska Legislature adjourned for the year, looked at how to mitigate flooding in the lower Platte River, from Columbus to where it flows into the Missouri River at Plattsmouth. The consultant that prepared the report, Omaha-based HDR, homed in on 21 “potential sites” to build reservoirs on tributaries of the Platte River, such as the Loup and Elkhorn Rivers and Salt, Wahoo and Logan Creeks.


The lower Platte River, pictured here near South Bend, flows past wooded bluffs en route to the Missouri River at Plattsmouth. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)


Funding for marinas, lodge, leveel

To be sure, the report doesn’t prescribe that any dams be built, and none of the dams were part of a $200-million legislative bill passed this spring to enhance recreation across Nebraska, as identified by the Statewide Tourism and Recreation Water Access and Resource Sustainability, or STAR WARS, committee. The bulk of the money was allocated for building new marinas at Lake McConaughy and Lewis & Clark Lake, a new lodge at Niobrara State Park and a flood-control levee near Schuyler. But $20 million was set aside for further study of building a huge sand-pit lake near Linoma Beach in Sarpy County, with $26 million designated for possible future construction. HDR’s report says more study would be needed before any reservoir construction could happen on the tributaries of the Platte. State Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, the Speaker of the Legislature and head of the STAR WARS committee, made similar observations, adding that consideration of flood mitigation was part of the committee’s charge but that further work on the tributary dams was not funded.

Future study

“While the Legislature may not focus on those projects in the future, any other entity, such as a natural resources district, that has an interest in improving our flood control mechanisms in that area will have a head start by virtue of the work done in this report,” Hilgers said. Tom Riley, the director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, said mitigation of flooding in the Platte is being addressed in the STAR WARS plan via the levee work in the Schuyler area and small dams being planned in the Wahoo Creek watershed in Saunders County. Right now, Riley said, his department is preparing to begin a study of how the big lake might impact well fields operated by the Cities of Lincoln and Omaha along the Platte River for drinking water. After that, there will be a report on the feasibility of building the big lake itself. In the past, even talk of damming up a creek or river in Nebraska has inspired howls of protests from those whose land or community would be displaced. Past objections led the STAR WARS committee to propose a way to build a huge recreation lake between Omaha and Lincoln without damming up the Platte, but instead, by pumping sand to create a sand-pit lake of at least 3,600 acres to rival Iowa’s popular Lake Okoboji.


Backers of a 3,600-acre lake proposed between Omaha and Lincoln are eyeing a location in Sarpy County, north and south of Linoma Beach. Additional studies of the lake’s impact and feasibility will soon get underway through the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. (Courtesy of PlanPreservePlayNE.co)

[ita]

Listening to the Grow Omaha show and Trenton mentioned the Plan, Preserve, Play website highlighting the STAR WARS legislation and lake projects. Anyway, here is a link to the high resolution conceptual rendering of the Big Lake. Ryan Blumpkin mentioned seeing a resort style hotel, which I didn't remember seeing in the newspaper posts. However, you can see a couple mid- to high-rise buildings along the eastern shore. Trenton mentioned that the lake would bring 20k people to live there; seems optimistic. We don't even know if this will be done, but could be interesting.

[bigredmed1]

Nope. The lake will be a shallow noisy sand pit. It will be a flood risk and paying that sweet extra flood insurance in addition to all the other plans is going to make it much less successful than TanTara or Lake of the Ozarks lodge. Even those two with much bigger markets to draw from have a lot of properties permanently for sale.

[ita]

Nope. The lake will be a shallow noisy sand pit. It will be a flood risk and paying that sweet extra flood insurance in addition to all the other plans is going to make it much less successful than TanTara or Lake of the Ozarks lodge. Even those two with much bigger markets to draw from have a lot of properties permanently for sale.

I agree that it's not the most desirable type of lake and will lack the properties of any natural lake. But people around here are starved for water-type properties and amenities. I hardly think it would actually be built out as presented, and I am sure it will have perma-for-sale properties, but it would present something different to the regional real estate market. I really would like to see more focus on public use and I hate just talking about the business side of this venture, but it's clear the state has to make money off a purely recreational lake. I think what will prevent this from really being built out is the property taxes this kind of project will bring. I guess developers would be able to set up SID's, but the costs of infrastructure would be huge. I imagine the property tax with SID fees would have to be nearing 3%. Unless you justify proximity/access to the lake, that would be a hard pill to swallow.

[Coyote]

Home builders group eager for Nebraska to dig 4,000-acre recreation lake
Lawmaker Mike McDonnell says forced land buys are not off the table

OMAHA — The thought of a $1.83 billion economic impact and plenty of real estate development potential has local builders eager to push the idea of a 4,000-acre recreational lake in Nebraska. After a state senator provided a progress report, members of the Metro Omaha Builders Association told the Nebraska Examiner they stand ready to do their part to get the project across the finish line. That could include touting the value of a proposed seven-mile-long sandpit lake both within their industry and at more public events such as the Street of Dreams. “There is tremendous opportunity for private development and not necessarily only along the shoreline,” said past MOBA president Greg Frazell of G. Lee Homes. “Nebraska needs something — and we’ll never have mountains.”


Another shot of the site most discussed for a big lake between Lincoln and Omaha, as shown to MOBA during update by State Sen. Mike McDonnell.

[Brad]

I was at the the meeting last week, Sen McDonnell presented right before me. Two other things that I head that I didn't see in the article. First, there would be a "MECA Like" entity that would manage the lake. Secondly, there has never been a plan to remove highway 6 or the railroad. They were just left out of some renderings.

As the article mentioned, he did say several times that there are still multiple locations under consideration.

[Louie]

I was at the the meeting last week, Sen McDonnell presented right before me. Two other things that I head that I didn't see in the article. First, there would be a "MECA Like" entity that would manage the lake. Secondly, there has never been a plan to remove highway 6 or the railroad. They were just left out of some renderings.

As the article mentioned, he did say several times that there are still multiple locations under consideration.

Curious what the other spots are...

[Brad]

As the article mentioned, he did say several times that there are still multiple locations under consideration.

Curious what the other spots are...
[/quote]

I believe he said they were all in eastern Nebraska. There was also money set aside for lake McConaughy and he described it as that's the lake for Western Nebraska and this new lake would be the lake for Eastern Nebraska.

[Busguy2010]

I believe he said they were all in eastern Nebraska. There was also money set aside for lake McConaughy and he described it as that's the lake for Western Nebraska and this new lake would be the lake for Eastern Nebraska.

Recreation and commerce-wise, sure, but size-wise, not close. Lake McConaughy is about 14 miles long, this one is about 7.

[ita]

I believe he said they were all in eastern Nebraska. There was also money set aside for lake McConaughy and he described it as that's the lake for Western Nebraska and this new lake would be the lake for Eastern Nebraska.

Recreation and commerce-wise, sure, but size-wise, not close. Lake McConaughy is about 14 miles long, this one is about 7.

This project is being heralded as a commercial endeavor. McConaughy, is largely undeveloped. I am afraid public use will end up being limited in 'our' lake. Developers are chomping at the bit to develop $1 million dollar properties. As one developer is quoted, this is merely a gold mine.

[Louie]

I have very low expectations of public use on this lake. Every rendering shows just how massive the housing developments around it will be.

[Brad]

I have very low expectations of public use on this lake. Every rendering shows just how massive the housing developments around it will be.

If this site is chosen, I think they end up with very little development along the west side of the lake. Even the renderings show a lot more green on the west side. I think it would be hard to overcome all the flood plain issues over there. I bet the west side ends up as a public park.

[bigredmed1]

This is another papio dam phenomenon where we taxpayers build a lake and get a few acres of dirt for a park and the good land gets sucked up in commercial real estate.

We get the West side of the lake. This means that the deep part of the West side with good road access becomes the giant marina pictured and the ends that will be grassy or tree burdened will be the "parks". Add in the inevitable big chunk of the parks for RVs, and despite us all kicking in bucks, we might get to enjoy 200 feet of water front.

Scam alert.

[ita]

I would be more optimistic if developers didn't have unlimited development rights to the east side of the lake. I would be fine if additional lakes were dug adjacent and those could be used for the $1M homes developers are dreaming about, but keep more of the shore line open for public use and enjoyment. If private developers want lakefront communities, let them dig up additional sandpit lakes nextdoor. That area can still enjoy significant development even without the whole eastern shoreline sold off to developers.

[Brad]

This is another papio dam phenomenon where we taxpayers build a lake and get a few acres of dirt for a park and the good land gets sucked up in commercial real estate.

The Papio NRD lakes are completely open to the public with the exception of Newport Landing and Candlewood. Lawrence Youngman does have a little grey area along the west side, but technically the city of Omaha owns 80' between the homeowners lot and the edge of water.

[Busguy2010]

The Papio NRD lakes are completely open to the public with the exception of Newport Landing and Candlewood. Lawrence Youngman does have a little grey area along the west side, but technically the city of Omaha owns 80' between the homeowners lot and the edge of water.

I just don't like the incorporation of development right next to the water. It gives you the feel that you shouldn't be there. Like for example, I went to Whitehawk lake once to fish and it was weird being on the shore - even though technically its park land - having people's back yards unobstructed in view of the lake really makes you feel like its "their lake" so to speak.

[Busguy2010]

This project is being heralded as a commercial endeavor. McConaughy, is largely undeveloped. I am afraid public use will end up being limited in 'our' lake. Developers are chomping at the bit to develop $1 million dollar properties. As one developer is quoted, this is merely a gold mine.

Yes, its starting to smell... Fishy...

[Brad]

I just don't like the incorporation of development right next to the water. It gives you the feel that you shouldn't be there. Like for example, I went to Whitehawk lake once to fish and it was weird being on the shore - even though technically its park land - having people's back yards unobstructed in view of the lake really makes you feel like its "their lake" so to speak.

Two Things...
Whitehawk, West Bay Shores, Windgate, Lakeside, Legacy, and Grandview are all drainage basins (Not the main dam site) to protect Zorinski.
You shouldn't feel uncomfortable at Whitehawk (or West Bay Shores, Lakeside or Legacy) because they have a Bike Trail between the houses and the shore.

[ita]

Did anyone see that a light rail was mentioned in the article? Maybe with the $1 billion in additional state revenue, the state can spend some to build a light rail system between Omaha and Lincoln. Haha.

[Louie]

I just don't like the incorporation of development right next to the water. It gives you the feel that you shouldn't be there. Like for example, I went to Whitehawk lake once to fish and it was weird being on the shore - even though technically its park land - having people's back yards unobstructed in view of the lake really makes you feel like its "their lake" so to speak.

Two Things...
Whitehawk, West Bay Shores, Windgate, Lakeside, Legacy, and Grandview are all drainage basins (Not the main dam site) to protect Zorinski.
You shouldn't feel uncomfortable at Whitehawk (or West Bay Shores, Lakeside or Legacy) because they have a Bike Trail between the houses and the shore.

Bike trail doesn't stop the fact that everywhere you turn it's just houses and windows.

[Brad]

Bike trail doesn't stop the fact that everywhere you turn it's just houses and windows.

I disagree, As you can see in this photo, there is a good amount of open space. There is really only 1 tight spot, but there is a decent amount of elevation to give you more separation.

SC8A3441.jpg

[Busguy2010]

Bike trail doesn't stop the fact that everywhere you turn it's just houses and windows.

I disagree, As you can see in this photo, there is a good amount of open space. There is really only 1 tight spot, but there is a decent amount of elevation to give you more separation.

I'm with Louie on this. Even the mere presence of people's back yards, windows, barking dogs, etc. changes the aesthetic totally. To me, a lake, especially one like this "Big Lake" that's not part of flood control, should be for recreation, an escape. And it sounds more an more like that's not going to be the main point of this lake.

[ita]

Bike trail doesn't stop the fact that everywhere you turn it's just houses and windows.

I disagree, As you can see in this photo, there is a good amount of open space. There is really only 1 tight spot, but there is a decent amount of elevation to give you more separation.

I'm with Louie on this. Even the mere presence of people's back yards, windows, barking dogs, etc. changes the aesthetic totally. To me, a lake, especially one like this "Big Lake" that's not part of flood control, should be for recreation, an escape. And it sounds more an more like that's not going to be the main point of this lake.

So, I am looking at Okoboji and the reservoirs around Des Moines, Red Rock and Saylorsville. West Okoboji shoreline, the lake state senators and other proponents are comparing the Big Lake to, appears to be almost completely taken by private owners. I have never been there, but is that what it's like? If so, I hope Big Lake, if built, does not end up like that. Saylorsville, which is about 6000 acres, has a better balance of nearby development while retaining a lot of undeveloped shoreline. Anyway, my thought is, are leaders and developers overselling the possible development opportunity at this lake? It depends on leadership and goals and all that. But it doesn't seem like lakes regionally are generating that kind of investment, $5 billion as what is contemplated by developers.

[TreeKiid]

The bill is written for this lake to be modeled after the likes of Okoboji or Storm Lake. As much of the shore line as possible is going to be developed. If you want a lake that is entirely wilderness and peaceful, this lake development is not going to be for you. However, we already have TONS of options for more secluded and nature fronted lakes, ie; Zorinsky, Cunningham, Standing Bear, Chalco, Walnut Creek, Desoto, wanahoo. Pawnee, Conestoga, wagon Trail and Branched Oak serve Lincoln.
Also, if they are going for an Okobji feel, you can definitely expect there to be lots of bars, hotels, and vacation rentals near by. Okoboji turns into a floating party all summer long. It’s a great time though and I can see why we need some diversity in our lake options to generate income and keep some of these recreational dollars from leaving Nebraska.
If you feel like you can’t exist in a space that has visible homes nearby, I really don’t know how to help you

[Athomsfere]

The bill is written for this lake to be modeled after the likes of Okoboji or Storm Lake. As much of the shore line as possible is going to be developed. If you want a lake that is entirely wilderness and peaceful, this lake development is not going to be for you. However, we already have TONS of options for more secluded and nature fronted lakes, ie; Zorinsky, Cunningham, Standing Bear, Chalco, Walnut Creek, Desoto, wanahoo. Pawnee, Conestoga, wagon Trail and Branched Oak serve Lincoln.
Also, if they are going for an Okobji feel, you can definitely expect there to be lots of bars, hotels, and vacation rentals near by. Okoboji turns into a floating party all summer long. It’s a great time though and I can see why we need some diversity in our lake options to generate income and keep some of these recreational dollars from leaving Nebraska.
If you feel like you can’t exist in a space that has visible homes nearby, I really don’t know how to help you

All of those reservoirs / ponds in Omaha are disgusting though.

I'm still mostly against this lake in general. I don't feel great about it's impact to the environment. I like it less as a "party lake". I am not crazy about it sucking 20k of infill out from the more urban areas of LNK and Omaha. Although I expect the demographics aren't the same as those willing to buy million dollar units in the core(s).

Fremont Lakes has that layer of oil on it, I don't want another "lake" like that. We talk about brain drain and vision zero, and I can't help a recreational lake with actually nice water for kayaking, or small motors, and great trails would help with those more than another place for people to day drink on the water.

[Coyote]

Governor-elect Pillen retains Tom Riley as Director of Natural Resources

Pillen retains a cabinet position and says he hopes to move forward on a canal project

[MadJack]

Bike trail doesn't stop the fact that everywhere you turn it's just houses and windows.

I disagree, As you can see in this photo, there is a good amount of open space. There is really only 1 tight spot, but there is a decent amount of elevation to give you more separation.

SC8A3441.jpg

I agree with you Brad. There's plenty of space for public use at these lakes. Seems like people are searching for problems that just don't exist.

[stormchaser]

Looks like they're going to do a financial feasibility study for this potential project at least...

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/01 ... dpit-lake/

[ita]

Those who had Big Lake progress on their 2024 wish list:

Fate of big lake proposal in Gretna/Ashland area to be known by summer, official says

Paul Hammel
A panel of state lawmakers were told last week that the fate of a proposed $1 billion, 4,000-acre recreation lake between Omaha and Lincoln should be clear by this summer.

That’s when two studies concerning the feasibility of the big lake should be completed, said Tom Riley, the director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.
...
Riley added additional studies would have to be done on the environmental impact of the lake, what to do with the millions of tons of sand mined from the lake and the exact plan, cost and location.

He said that the sand would be “sellable” and that it would likely take 10 to 20 years to pump out enough sand to create the lake, which would likely have an average depth of 30 feet.

[Garrett]

This ending is quite telling. The full article in the LJS absolutely rips the idea apart

However, Darryll Pederson, a retired professor of hydrogeology with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recently wrote a commentary in the Lincoln Journal-Star.

Pederson wrote that the big lake should never be built because “smart people don’t build major projects in a flood plain.”

[Dusty]

Not a fan on building a big lake just to put single family homes around it. Lame!

I said before I want an entertainment district built around a lake like Disney Springs.
If you could throw in an artificial rapids course for kayaking, that would be cool too!