| Chilled by the massive surface of Lake McConaughy, a breeze sweeps gently eastward across Kingsley Dam & tumbles 160 feet to the surface of Lake Ogallala. There, at the "little lake," anglers & campers enjoy the natural air conditioning, but sunset comes early in the shadow of the towering dam to the west.
Born simultaneously in 1941 with the construction of Kingsley Dam, Lake McConaughy & Lake Ogallala are litter mates, but not twins. Lake McConaughy is big & rough — 35,000 surface acres big — & even gentle breezes often lead to heavy swells.
Lake Ogallala, at 320 acres, is comparatively small, gentle & sedate. Its protected shoreline wards off winds that would send the big lake into torment. Lake Ogallala is a rag-sweater-and-cup-of-coffee lake, not a sweat & Gatorade lake like its sibling. |
Campground: Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area in Ogallala Nebraska *