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Game and Parks warns of invasive species spread and declining Harlan Reservoir levels; urges boat inspections
Summary
Nebraska Game and Parks highlighted aquatic invasive species (zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, Asian carp) risks, described statewide watercraft inspection staffing, and warned Harlan Reservoir is about seven feet below full pool and could lose ramps without increased inflows under the Kansas–Nebraska compact.
Nebraska Game and Parks’ South Central District used the public meeting to reiterate invasive-species risks, boat-inspection efforts and to describe reservoir-level challenges — most notably a low Harlan Reservoir that officials said was about seven feet below full pool and at risk of further drawdown without spring precipitation.
The district said it employs two full-time staff for aquatic invasive species coordination (named in the meeting as Kristar and Jenna Pugles) and will field a seasonal team of roughly 14–15 inspectors at boat ramps statewide. Agency staff said inspectors conducted more than 8,000 watercraft inspections statewide in 2024 and urged anglers returning from waters known to be contaminated (zebra-mussel-infested waters, other states’ waters) to clean, drain and dry boats before launching in Nebraska.
Staff noted that zebra mussels are present throughout the Missouri River system in eastern Nebraska and in several lakes near Omaha and Beaver Lake but have not been found broadly across western parts of the state. The district also described concerns about the upstream movement of silver and bighead carp in the Platte River and Loop systems and urged anglers to report suspected juvenile Asian carp finds. Eurasian watermilfoil was reported in several interstate lakes near Kearney, Grand Island and Crystal Lake near Hastings; staff said they will treat limited lakes and advised users to remove vegetation from boats and trailers to avoid spread.
On water levels, staff said many South Central District reservoirs are supplied by canals or the Loop River system and should remain relatively stable through early summer, but they highlighted two concerns: Elwood Reservoir was reported roughly 20 feet low at the time of the meeting but CNPPID planned to refill it to about 10 feet below full pool before irrigation drawdown; Harlan Reservoir was about seven feet below full pool, dependent on precipitation in the Republican River Basin and subject to Kansas–Nebraska compact water calls. Staff said compact-related releases and augmentation well operations can affect inflows and that if precipitation is limited, ramps and access at Harlan could become unusable.
The district urged anglers to report unusual species, to follow inspection guidance, and to consult the agency’s fishing guide and website for lists of infested waters and inspection resources.
