Nebraska Area Sailing Sites

Nebraska Area Sailing Sites
Date: 5/19/2006 (Updated by Robert Richardson)

Lincoln - Branched Oak Lake
Wind/Water Rating: ****

Best for: Flat water to bump and jump sailing. Speed, jibes, chop hopping, and general sailing fun.

Launches :
1) Area 9 (next to Marina store) - nice grassy area with picnic tables, outhouse near by, marina store and Outcast food in area. Good for most wind directions, expect East or North. This is where most windsurfers sail, unless at Area 5.
2) Area 5 - Nice grassy rigging area, and clearing in rocks to access water, outhouse near by. Best on North - Northeast/West winds.
3) Area 1 - Grassy rigging area, good for Northwest, East, or Southeast winds.

Fees: Nebraska State Parks permit is required. Day or Annual Pass.
Nebraska State Parks

Hazards:
1) Boaters
2) Rocks along some shores, and under water to kick toes on at times.
3) Sometimes glass or other trash in launch areas to watch out for.

Maps and Directions:
1) Branch Oak lake is 10-20 Minutes from Lincoln, about 60 from Omaha. From Interstate, take Hwy 34 North to Hwy 79 North, then West/left at Raymond Road. Drive to spot you want to sail from.

Columbus - North Lake
Wind/Water Rating: *** Fairly clean water, and very clean wind!
Launch Rating: *** Small rocks on shores and lake bottom.

Best for: Flat water sailing. Speed, learning jibes, and general sailing fun.

Launches :
1) North end has nice grassy area with picnic tables, play ground for kids. Good launch on any wind direction.
2) South-West corner is good launch to get away from possible crowds at North end, and for getting the right to the flattest water on south winds.
3) You can launch just about anywhere around lake, depending on space and wind direction.

Fees: Free.

Hazards:
1) Boaters - they direct in circles around lake - good news in one direction only.

Maps and Directions:
1) Columbus is about 40-60 minutes from Omaha and Lincoln. Once in Columbus on Hwy 30, head North on 18th Ave, turn West on LakeView road and enter Lake entrance. Drive to spot you want to sail from.

Omaha - Cunningham Lake
Wind/Water Rating: ** Fairly clean water, clean wind from SOUTH and SSE only.
Launch Rating: *** Small rocks to toe kicker one along shore and lake bottom. Also watch out for old road.

Best for: Flat water to some bump and jump sailing. Speed, learning jibes and hops, and general sailing fun.

Launches :
1) Rainwood Road on East side of lake

Fees: Free.

Hazards:
1) Fishermen and their garbage.
2) Hitting bottom/old road when water is low.

Maps and Directions:
1) Take 72nd street North off I-680 in Omaha. Turn Left on Rainwood road and drive to launch at end of road.

May 2006 - lake is closed for maintenance until 2008!

Sky view of lake with water and white caps!

Burwell - Calamus Reservoir
Wind/Water Rating: ***** Great on any wind direction! Not much blocking the winds and lake in sand hills higher elevation then southern NE.
Launch Rating: **** Sand beaches are GREAT! Walk to beach, however, you may encounter stickers or cactus - where booties or sandals on way to beach.

Best for: Flat water to bump and jump and even rolling swell riding!. Speed, learning jibes and hops, and general sailing fun.

North West wind is best bet for nice swells rolling down lake!

Events: Calamus Windsurfing Rodeo - course and fun racing late August. See link to Calamus Rodeo on home page

Launches :
1) Homestead Knolls SRA, Northeast side of Calamus Reservoir, 8 miles Northwest of Burwell NE.

Fees: Nebraska State Parks permit is required. Day or Annual Pass.
Nebraska State Parks

Hazards:
1) You may encounter stickers or cactus - where booties or sandals on way to beach
2) Hitting bottom on few sand bars when water is low later summer.

Maps and Directions:
1) Get to Burwell area from Omaha take Hwy 92 or 91 West, then follow yellow line - Dam Rd to Lake.

Ogallala - Lake Mcconaughy
Wind/Water Rating: *****
Launch Rating: ***** Sand beaches are GREAT! Camp/park on beach.

Best for: Flat water to Bump and jump and even rolling swell riding!. Speed, jibes and hops, and general sailing fun.

Events: Sept 8,9,10 (Weekend after labor day) Toucan Open at Lake Mccaughy, near Ogalalla Nebraska
Also see Toucan link for other events by Larson Ski and Sport of Denver Colorado.

Launches :
1) Most windsurfs mostly camp/park and windsurf from Sandy Beach area.
2) Just about anywhere you can access water.

Fees: Nebraska State Parks permit is required. Day or Annual Pass.
Nebraska State Parks

Hazards:
1) NorthWest end is shallow with trees in water.
2) Hitting submerged trees when water is low - which it was record low in 2005. Good news in 2006 it is going back up!

Maps and Directions:
1) See map below and pick your path to lake from where you are coming in.
From Omaha, you can save 15+ Minutes by taking the Kingsley Roscoe Exit and driving through Kingsley and up east side or dam.