Recreation
Loup Power District's hydroelectric system provides
more than efficient, low-cost energy. In addition to offering power
to more than 50,000 persons in a four-county area, Loup owns and operates
five parks and recreation areas. These facilities are used by more
than 150,000 people each year. Containing 265 acres of land and 1,100
acres of water, the parks are open to the public from May 1 to November
1 (weather permitting). Loup Power District's personnel maintain the
parks throughout the year, giving visitors an opportunity to water
ski, swim, boat, jet ski, camp,
fish, bike, hike or picnic--free of charge. For a get-away weekend
of fun in the sun, try one of Loup Power District's five recreational
facilities.
 Lake North -
Located four miles north of Columbus, Lake North features two miles
of beaches and two boat launching
ramps. In addition, Lake North offers good boating and swimming
facilities as well as camping and picnic shelters. This is Loup
Power District's most popular spot and is an important tool in hydroelectric
power production. Opened August 3, 1963, the 200-acre lake serves
as a storage reservoir for the Columbus Powerhouse.
The Columbus Biathlon, held annually in August, starts
and finishes at Lake North. Runners trek 2.5 miles around the lake,
then transition to bicycles and travel 12 miles on 83rd Street, 48th
Avenue and 33rd Avenue, before ending back at Lake North. Click on
the year for the Biathlon results:
2008,
2007,
2006,
2005,
2004.
Loup Park - Located on the
north and west shores of Lake Babcock just north of Columbus where
fishing is excellent, this well-developed, 40-acre area includes
trailer and playground areas, a picnic shelter and electrical
hookups. The Bob Lake Trail, a 15-ft wide,
3.5 mile-long natural and limestone shale-surfaced trail which
skirts Lake Babcock is recommended for well-equipped hikers and
mountain bikers. You can follow the path along the dike to the Lake
North perimeter road. This 1-mile leg ends at the entrance parking
lot. Free parking is available at the east and west trailheads.
Columbus Powerhouse Park
- A four-acre park located adjacent to the Columbus Powerhouse,
featuring fishing and picnicking with portable water readily available.
Tailrace Park - Noted for
its exceptional fishing in season, this nine-acre park is located
where the Loup Canal joins the Platte
River, three miles east of Columbus and one mile south. It is
a picnic spot with outstanding scenic and wooded beauty. Because
of the quick current, swimming is not recommended.
Headworks Park - Located
six miles west of Genoa on Highway 22, this 10-acre recreation area
features electrical hookups for campers, picnic areas equipped with
picnic tables, grills and fresh drinking water, and fishing and
swimming in small lakes and
in the Loup Canal. Headworks Park consists of several segments:
the ATV riding area, Headworks Park and Weir Park.
The Loup
Power District Headworks Park ATV and outdoor riding area are open
to riders.
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CART - Columbus Area Recreational Trails
Columbus, Nebraska has an extensive system of
recreational trails throughout the city and adjoining areas.
These trails provide a safe setting for the healthy activities of
hiking, biking, running, and rollerblading.
 Two Lakes
Trail - Built in 2000 with a combination of government and
privately donated funds (though no direct ratepayer dollars were
spent), the scenic trail winds 2.4 miles through stately trees along
the north shores of Lake Babcock and Lake North. The two lakes,
located approximately two miles north of Columbus, Neb. Are part
of Loup's extensive hydroelectric generation facilities and public
recreation offerings. Two Lakes Trail, an eight-foot-wide concrete
path, offers recreational opportunities for joggers, cyclists, runners, rollerbladers, walkers, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts; it
meets ADA requirements. Two Lakes Trail was awarded the Millennium
2000 Community Trail Award. For the adventurous at heart, cross
Castner's Crossing and
the trail continues, in a more natural state - grass and gravel
- for another 4.5 miles circling the east, south and west sides
of the two lakes. For the nature lover, Lake Babcock is home to
the giant American Lotus, the furthest west colony of this flower
found in the U.S.
Bob Lake
Trail - Resurfaced in 2005, the Bob
Lake Trail, a 9-ft wide crushed limestone surfaced trail skirts
the southwest perimeter of
Lake Babcock. The 1.3 mile-long-section is recommended for
well-equipped hikers and mountain bikers.
Robert
White
Trail - follows the southern perimeter of Lake Babcock
from the Bob Lake Trail to 18th Avenue. There is free parking
at the east and west end of the trail.
You can follow the path
along the dike to the Lake North perimeter road. This 1-mile leg
ends at the entrance parking lot. Free parking is available at the
east and west trailheads.
More information about Columbus trails is available at their web
site: www.columbusnetrails.com.
Electrical Usage
With its hydro facilities -- 35 miles
of canal, two reservoir lakes and its powerhouses -- providing
the public with recreational opportunities is a natural by-product
of the Loup Power District mission. Loup Power District also provides
free electricity to sections of its parks. We request that campers
respect a 7-day limit to this service.
- Loup Park has 28 camping stalls with power.
- Lake North has 12 camping stalls with power.
- Headworks Park has 12 camping stalls with power.
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