Survey Indicates Nebraskaland on Iowa Side of Carter Lake

The survey to indicated the boundary line for property on the eastern extent of Carter Lake has been completed. There are numerous lathes prominent along the side of the lake, especially on the western extent of the lakes' eastern section.

The markers indicate that a relatively large section of land is within the Nebraska boundary, and therefore not Iowa property. One particular area has a variety of settings, including lowland habitat adjacent to the lake waters, mud flats when the water level is kept low.

How the parcel areas, apparently within the boundaries of the City of Omaha will be permanently classified by the Douglas County assessor is not yet known. At least two parcels are associated with an Iowa homeowner yard, and where the lake-edge was filled and the bank anchored by rip-rap to allow establishment of a lawn. Another tiny parcel is on the west side of the Iowa West Ranch. There are decrepit bock docks at one particular area, and since the City of Omaha does not allow private construction on public property, perhaps they will be removed and the site restored to a condition similar to what occurs adjacent.

There needs to be a legally binding decision to ensure that these unique parts of the Carter Lake environs continue to be a green space, and not land in limbo where Iowans have done what they wanted for so many years.

The area has been obviously indicated at land within Nebraska. Its permanent fate is pending, though there is some indication the land will be marked, and become park of Levi Carter Park. No written confirmation of this is available. Several calls to the acting director office of the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department to determine the outcome of the land survey have not been returned.

The City of Carter Lake also owns property within the area, so perhaps a dedicated green-space could be established, and provide a new place where people can enjoy a different view of the lake and its birds.

Stateline Property at East Carter Lake

Mud flat at the lakeside portion of the area.

One of the many temporary markers indicating the state boundary.

The stateline boundary markers are visible on the left portion of this picture.

Private docks on Nebraska land, east Carter Lake.

Public Land Designated for Turbine Potential

More than 28,000 acres have been specifically identified by the Bureau of Educational Lands and Funds, a Nebraska agency, for potential wind turbine activities within Cherry County.

The following details are from a list provided by the agency.

The largest tract is ten parcels, comprising just over 6872 acres in the southeast part of the county. The contiguous area is all or portions of sections 8, 9, 16 to 21, 28-30 in T25N R28W, and section 26 to the west in T25N R29W.

T25N R28W, southeast Cherry county.

A meteorological tower would be built in section 20, in the center of the tract, and three miles west of Highway 83. This structure would be readily visible from this major north-south travelway.

There are no details yet available regarding the lease amount for a private company to erect a tower on public property, nor its duration, according to BELF staff.

Four other parcels are also in this general vicinity: 16-26-28, 16-27-28, 16-26-29, and 36-26-29.

Another multi-parcel tract is in T30N R36W, and includes all or part of sections 16, 26, 27, 28, 32, 34 and 36. In the next township south are 16-29-36 near Gordon Creek and 36-29-36. All of these parcels are primarily surrounded by the Abbott-Metzger Ranch, with 16-29-36 less than one-eighth of a mile from the ranch headquarters, with its residences.

Two to three miles south of the western Snake River in the Doughboy vicinity is 16-30-34, and section 36 in the same township. To the north is 36-31-34, which is adjacent to the Snake River.

Further west about four miles, and is 36-31-35, which includes the channel of the Snake River.

Six parcels are within five miles of a proposed MET tower on the southeast extent of the Pullman Ranch owned by Lone Creek Cattle Company. They include 16-27-35 and 36-27-35, along with 16-27-36, 34-27-36 and 36-27-36; also 16-26-36 which is along the north Whitman Road.

West-central Cherry county.

Three contiguous parcels are sections 4 and 5 in T27N R37W and 33-28-37. This is south of the eastern extent of the Davis OLO Ranch. Nearby, a couple of miles south is 16-27-37, and then 36-27-37, by the Henderson Ranch.

A mile east of Highway 61 north of Whitman is 36-27-38, which is a mile south of the turnoff to the Hoyt and Henderson ranch. In the same vicinity is 16-26-37.

The parcel 36-29-37 is 640 acres about two miles south of Gordon Creek, and five miles east of Highway 61. The predominent feature is Goose Lake, situated in the middle of the area.

Goose Lake, in 36-29-37, as indicated by the bluish box. The lake is about 109 acres of the 652.46 acres section. To the southwest is Round Lake.

Section 16-25-33 is about three miles northward from the MET tower proposed for the Quarter Circle Bar Ranch, owned by the Lone Tree Cattle Company.

Along western Calf Creek, is 16-26-34, with section 36 of the same township and range included. About three mile northeast of section 16, is 36-27-34.

The North Loup River flows through 16-28-32, west of Highway 97. Three miles to the southwest is 36-28-33.

Along western Gordon Creek, surrounded by the Kime Ranch, is 16-29-35 with 23-29-35 nearby.

How these land parcels, comprising 28,009.40 acres, were selected is not known. Details on how the agency is promoting use of educational land sections is given on their website.