This preliminary rendering shows the potential for economic development adjacent to a proposed 4,000-acre lake between Lincoln and Omaha. The proposal awaits a feasibility study to consider its potential impact on the future water supply for Lincoln and Omaha.
The big-thinking proposal to create a 4,000-acre lake between Omaha and Lincoln is still on track, but also on pause pending a feasibility study that focuses on its potential impact on the future water supplies for Lincoln and Omaha.
"I do think it will happen," Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, a leader in pushing the project, said during an interview.
"Yes, we will get there. For the future of the state, it's a project we have to accomplish," he said.
McDonnell
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Although he is now Nebraska's attorney general and no longer a Lincoln senator who was the leader of the so-called STARWARS Committee that recommended the project, Mike Hilgers said "we're probably on the 35-yard line" awaiting results of a study of big-city water supply issues.
"Can we find a location that would not negatively impact the water supply of Lincoln and MUD?" Hilgers said.
MUD is the Metropolitan Utilities District political subdivision that delivers water to more than 600,000 people in metropolitan Omaha.
Lincoln is aggressively searching for a second water source to meet its growing needs; the city currently is supplied by wells on the Platte River near Ashland.
Protecting the water supply for the two big cities as they continue to grow is "the critical threshold" that needs to be addressed in the study undertaken by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Hilgers said.
"We need to find win-win opportunities," he said.
McDonnell said he is sensitive to Lincoln's needs.
Hilgers
"That's part of our responsibility," he said.
Lincoln can't grow without securing a second, dependable water supply, McDonnell said, and that goal needs to be achieved.
The proposed 7-mile-long lake between Lincoln and Omaha is viewed as a potential boon to recreation, economic development, tourism and enhanced lifestyle benefits.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers gives a brief update on the state of the lake project between Lincoln and Omaha during a January 2023 interview.
McDonnell said the lake could help address many of Nebraska's current challenges.
"We need a way to recruit and retain people in Nebraska," he said.
The proposed lake would be 4,000 acres, larger than Lake Okoboji in Iowa, which is a popular vacation and recreation destination for Nebraskans now.
Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln introduced a bill earlier this week to begin development of a second water source for the city.
Bostar's proposal (LB506) seeks designation of $200 million in available federal COVID-19 recovery funds to help launch the $1.4 billion project.
Lincoln's water source advisory council has recommended that the city consider building a new municipal wellfield along the Missouri River between Omaha and Nebraska City.
With his selection as the new speaker of the Legislature, Sen. John Arch of La Vista automatically became the new chairman of the Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability (STARWARS) Committee.
Four Lincoln senators, Beau Ballard, Jane Raybould, Anna Wishart and Bostar, are members of the 11-member committee.
Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican (left) swears in the new senators for 2023, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Sen. John Fredrickson shows his son, Leon, the inside of the west wing on the first day of the 2023 Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Kristina Konecko, an administrative aide for Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, boxes up items at his old desk Tuesday at the Capitol. The new session begins Wednesday.
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Senator Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
A camera flash illuminates the newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the rotunda to the West Chamber to be sworn in on Thursday at Capitol in Lincoln.
Milford's Izzy Yeackley (left) grabs a rebound in front of Malcolm's Emma Brown on Thursday in Malcolm.
Tell Hanes (left) of the Waverly Fire Department and Southeast Rural Fire's Trey Wayne jump over freezing water to high-five while practicing surface ice rescues Friday at Holmes Lake. "We try to run these trainings for both our students and local first responders to make sure they are ready in case anything real happens," said Andrew Saunders, of the International Rescue and Relief program at Union College.
Lincoln Southeast's Kaitlyn Freudenberg (from left) tries to hold onto the ball against Lincoln Southwest's Brinly Christensen and Aniya Seymore on Friday at Lincoln Southwest.
Nebraska's Kendall Moriarty does push-ups as her teammates cheer after the Huskers beat Penn State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Brock Hardy (right) wrestles Minnesota's Jakob Bergeland in the 141-pound match, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the Devaney Center.
Ali Al-Mohammed, 17, kicks a soccer ball after school on Tuesday in front of Park Middle School. Renovations at Park that were part of the 2020 bond issue included a new cafeteria space.
Parkview Christian's Isabella Minatti (middle, right) is fouled against Johnson-Brock during a MUDECAS Tournament semifinal game Thursday at Beatrice Auditorium.
Nebraska's Emmanuel Bandoumel makes a dunk against Illinois' Matthew Mayer on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Derrick Walker is introduced before the Illnois game, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
A truck passes over an icy Platte River along U.S. 6 on Friday near Ashland. Friday's temperature failed to get above freezing, but the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is much better, with temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s before precipitation chances Sunday night and Monday.
A pair of ice skaters journey across a frozen Holmes Lake at sunset on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lincoln. As winter continues, weather this week will be consistently in the 40s with a dry weekend.
Ohio State's Rebeka Mikulášiková collides with Nebraska's Maddie Krull as they battle for the ball underneath the rim in the third quarter Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Kyrie Kelley-Johnson, son of Lincoln High head coach Dominique Kelley-Johnson, tries to keep the attention of the players while the Links stretch before their game Saturday at Lincoln High.
Governor Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska's open senate seat, during an announcement on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, has been expected to go to Ricketts after his depurate from the governorship last year.
Oscar and Yenifer Contreras, (left to right) both family workers, enjoy some of the food they made before lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Restaurante & Bar Sabor Latino in Lincoln.
Parker Moll braves a mix of snow and rain to clear the driveway outside his family's home on Wednesday.
Ohio State's Zed Key (left) lays the ball into the basket off of the backboard against Nebraska's Derrick Walker on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Sam Griesel (right) embraces teammate Keisei Tominaga after defeating Ohio State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Isabelle Bourne (left) is blocked at the rim by Maryland's Gia Cooke on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Pius X's Jackson Kessler (middle, bottom) celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against Lincoln Southwest on Thursday at Pius X High School.
Nebraska's Allie Gard completes a back hand spring during her routine on the balance beam during their duel against Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
