History of Oliver Lake
With 917 acres of land and a 270-acre lake, Oliver Lake State Recreation
Area is the only water based recreational facility in the southwest
Panhandle. Located 8 miles west of Kimball on U.S. 30, Oliver offers
the same basic facilities as those found at similar recreation areas
across the state.
Originally built in 1911 as an irrigation
impoundment on Lodgepole Creek, Oliver served generations of outdoor
enthusiasts with excellent fishing, hunting and water recreation.
Then, in 1976, it fell on hard times when the 65-year-old
impoundment had to be drained. It took a cooperative effort among
area residents, local and state governments to rebuild the dam and
refill the reservoir. Well over $100,000 from private contributions
were added to money from the South Platte Natural Resources District
to match state and federal funding for the project.
More than 100,000 cubic yards of dirt had to be
moved to build the new spillway, and a complete recreation facility
was designed around the lake. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
entered an agreement with the South Platte NRD to administer the
area, once facilities were complete and funding was provided by the
Legislature. The Commission assumed control on July 1, 1984.
Facilities include a campground, two boat ramps and
docks, swimming beach, change houses, drinking water, vault toilets,
picnic tables, shelters, grills, lighting and parking lots.
Landscaping and tree plantings add beauty and shade to the area.
Nearly all of the established recreation facilities
are located on the north shore of the lake and are accessible from
U.S. 30 via three entrances. The south side of the lake is
maintained in a primitive state for hiking, fishing and hunting.
Signs near the two boat ramps detail special regulations and
restrictions on the lake to provide for multiple-use by boaters,
water skiers, fishermen and swimmers. Buoys mark the 5 mph area on
the west end of the reservoir, as well as the designated swimming
area on the north side.
Oliver provides some good fishing opportunities,
since it is a two-story lake that can support both cold-water and
warm-water species. It offers action on walleye, yellow perch,
largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and some limited numbers
of rainbow trout.
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