Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Committee seeks input on Oliver Reservoir

The local advisory committee for Oliver Reservoir seeks input from Kimball County citizens.

The committee held a public meeting last Thursday in which citizens were able to voice their thoughts and concerns. Those who could not attend may still submit input to Galen Wittrock of the South Platte Natural Resources District by calling 308-254-2377.

Those on the committee, in addition to Wittrock, include Tim Nolting, Larry Stahla, Harry Gillway, Wilson Bowling, Larry Snyder and David Schnell. The committee meets monthly and advises the SPNRD about matters concerning Oliver Reservoir.

Wittrock said the committee has finished phase one of its plan, which was to develop a map for long-term use. Phase two is collecting input from the public to use for five and 10 year plans. He said the public’s input is essential to see if things such as a trail, electrical outlets for camping or other things are wanted or needed. Wittrock said most input should be submitted by Dec. 1, so the committee can look at it and start to form a plan. He added that the committee will take comments after that date.

The SPNRD took over ownership of the reservoir from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission this spring. Wittrock said there were initial challenges of taking over the reservoir, such as not having time to budget properly to oversee it.

“We weren’t set up to keep the mowing done, etc,” he said. “We did budget quite a bit of funds (for next year), so we’ll have a new mower, more equipment. I think we’ll be a lot more active out there at the lake next year.”

Wittrock said one of the biggest changes since the SPNRD took over was the change in trash policies. The state had dumpsters and trash cans available at the reservoir. The current system in place is “pack it in, pack it out” where patrons take out any trash they bring in.

“This advisory committee thought, ‘Let’s try the pack it in, pack it out’ method. There’s a lot of people frustrated, and continue to be frustrated with it. At this point, it seems like it’s pretty clean this year,” Wittrock said.

He said the committee could reevaluate the situation, but overall feels that the policy is working.

Another change to the area is no charge for camping or parking. The SPNRD does accept donations, and has raised just under $2,000 onsite this year. Total donations in the reservoir’s Points West Bank account is just over $3,000. Wittrock said donations will only be used for improvements at the location. The operating budget comes from the SPNRD.

Wittrock said an additional boat ramp will be built, since one of the current boat ramps cannot be used due to low water level. He said this project should be finished by next year. It will bring the total of boat ramps at the lake to three.

Wittrock said that repairs have been made to the handicapped fishing dock, and lauded the efforts of the AmeriCorps team in their help painting and with other projects. He praised the efforts of local volunteers as well, and said the lake will remain a community lake.

“This community is really outgoing when it comes to donations. They consider it a community lake, which it is,” he said. “Through the NRD we respect that, that this lake is more of a local jewel and we’re probably not going to advertise (it much). We’ve got enough people out there now, and we want to keep it a community lake.”

One major concern that some people have is water levels at the lake, Wittrock said. He said the lake loses four feet of surface water per year and there is not enough inflow of water to maintain current level. He said the SPNRD is always open to options on how to keep the lake at proper levels.

“Unfortunately, it’s a unique scenario that we don’t have an answer for,” Wittrock said. “Rain events, flood events like we had are the only ways it fills up.”

 
 
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