Allowing Water Skiing On Goose Lake 'Not Easy Decision'

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Director Jim Douglas (right) listens to comments about recreation use of Goose Lake while at Sunny Brook Cafe on Monday.

About 50 people met with Game and Parks Commission officials, including state director Jim Douglas, over the lunch hour on Monday to discuss best use of Goose Lake. Most of the public comments were on reinstating water skiing on the lake.

Water skiing is currently not allowed, and that does not appear to be changing any time soon.

Douglas and deputy director Tim McCoy were in Northeast and North Central Nebraska on Monday reviewing management locations and said they were happy to discuss concern about Goose Lake.The meeting at Sunny Brook Cafe, just north of Knievel's Store, turned into a public forum as people voiced their opinions on water skiing, fishing, hunting and camping. 

District Wildlife Manager Tom Welstead explained that Goose Lake is a wildlife management area and in typical condition for such an area, including camping and road conditions.

But what may not be typical, Regional Fishing Supervisor Jeff Schuchman said, is the water levels of Goose Lake. In high years, the lake may reach 9 feet; it is at 7-8 feet on good years. Due to several years of drought, the current level is 3 1/2 feet, which has dropped six inches in the last two weeks. Schuchman said water levels for motorboating are best at 12 feet or higher. 

"High speed motorboating is not compatible use for Goose Lake," Schuchman said prior to meeting with the public.

Acquired in 1925 before the modern Game and Parks Commission existed, Goose Lake is one of the oldest management areas in the state and is the eastern-most Sandhills lake. Schuchman said a $250,000 habitat project was completed in 2003, and in 2007, a 5 mph limit was placed on the lake, which eliminated water skiing.  

"There's a lot of potential for fish and wildlife here," Schuchman said. "We have a high number of pike, the carp are low, we have abundant bass and blue gill and we have a fair amount of perch."

Douglas said the commission's decisions revolve around the status of the wildlife management area. Very few areas allow water skiing, and management of those ares are paid through hunting and fishing. But Douglas said he would share the concerns heard with the rest of the commission. 

"A decision to change back won't come easily, I'm fairly certain of that," he said. "But I will talk to all of our staff again and the commissioners again."

One person told Douglas his children learned to water ski on the lake in the 1980s, as did thousands of kids, but now that's not possible. The number of places to fish in the area compared to limited number of lakes for water recreation was a concern to many, though Schuchman said people from all over the state travel to Goose Lake to fish and those wanting to water ski can do that at Calumus Reservoir or Willow Creek. 

Another person said, "Water skiers stayed away from fishermen. They got along, but you've eliminated that." A fisherman said he would like to have water skiers clear a path in the moss to help his boat get through, so he can fish.

Others were hoping for a compromise of one day designated for water skiing. A man suggested allowing water recreation on Sunday. Another person suggested using Jet Skis on the lake instead of motorboats. Schuchman said that would have a similar affect on the lake with the current water level.

Douglas said the water level at Goose Lake is a concern to all interests, which is why a water pump has been used during various times. Douglas said the commission spends $10,000-$15,000 per year to run the pump. When asked if it was possible to make the lake deeper, Welstead said that was a big risk. 

"First of all, that's expensive," he said. "But it's also a Sandhills lake we're up against. If we break through a clay layer, we could lose the lake. There is a risk."

Another person suggested changing the area to a state recreation area. Douglas said that wouldn't produce enough funds to pay for the pump. At $25 per carload of people, that would be only $2,500 for 100 vehicles coming through the area. More money comes from aquatic and habitat stamps, Douglas said.

There was also mention of the NRD taking over ownership of the lake again. UENRD General Manager Dennis Schueth said discussion of such a change could take place, but he said it would be expensive for the NRD as well. 

After more than an hour of discussion, the director said the commission must consider all aspects, including where the funds come from, which are not through taxes.

"It's not an easy decision to make for the commission," Douglas said. "I appreciate your comments about finding a happy medium. It's not a good situation, and we have to decide what we have to do."

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