RIVER Conditions:
If you are wanting river condition information but do not want to use our services, this link might help out (Click Here). The public NRD recreation areas will close their gates when the river is at 5.0 feet or above. After river levels go below 5.0 feet, the NRD will assess any damage and open it to the public if there is no threat to the public. After the flood of 2019, we adjusted our allowable floating limit to 4.5 feet. When it is above 4.5 feet and rising, we cancel floats. If it is below 4.5 feet and don’t anticipate it rising above that during the day, we most likely will be tubing. If you want to check with the NRD to verify if their property is open, please visit the NRD's website (Click Here), facebook page (Click Here), or call them at (402) 444-6222. If you plan on tubing on your own and want river information, out of respect for us being a private business, we ask you to contact the view the websites above or contact the NRD to see if the river is at safe levels to float.
About the Elkhorn River:
The Elkhorn River is a wide, smooth flowing Nebraska river with a deep, narrow channel that is perfect for tubing and kayaking. It originates in the eastern Sandhills of Nebraska and is one of the largest tributaries of the Platte River, joining the Platte just southwest of Omaha, approximately 1 mile south and 3 miles west of Gretna. The Elkhorn River basin encompasses approximately 7,000 square miles. The Elkhorn also has several tributaries, including its own North and South forks, Logan Creek, Rock Creek and Maple Creek. Because the Elkhorn is a meandering river and the channel's position can change from year to year. The scenery on the Elkhorn River is changeable and diverse. Along the river corridor you will float through hilly landforms having moderate to steep slopes and rounded ridge crests composed of glacial till mantled with loess. Along the river there are open woodlands and dense forested areas interspersed with farmland in the cleared lowlands. Cottonwood and willow trees dominate the woodlands and to a lesser degree elms, box elder, green ash and hackberry are found. Shrubs include black currant, false indigo, red osier, rough-leaved dogwoods and others. There are plenty of opportunities for native Nebraska wildlife observation thanks to the abundant fauna found here, which includes deer, squirrels, raccoon, opossum, fox, coyote, shorebirds, eagles and hawks. Aquatic life includes turtles, carp and catfish in the river. Tubers can expect to see all manner of materials utilized to shore up this Nebraska river's banks, including junked automobile bodies. You will encounter mud bars, sand bars, and submerged logs.
Tubers should take note that the Elkhorn's water levels will be lower after mid-July through August because of high temperatures, low rainfall, and crop irrigation, among other factors. Lower water levels could extend trip times by one-half or even more, so tubers are advised to budget their time accordingly. Normally, the greatest flow occurs from March through early June. Tubing in July and August are typically restricted to the deeper channel of the river. Spring rains can produce destructive flooding. Flood damage is higher along the Elkhorn than any other river basin in Nebraska.
