46 Nebraskaland • May 2020
t 2.3 miles, the Kearney Water Trail
is undoubtedly one of the shortest
in Nebraska. Despite that fact, it
might also be one of the busiest.
On any given day from April through
October, you're apt to see kayakers
paddling down the trail, which utilizes
the Kearney Canal and Turkey Creek
on the southwestern corner of this
central Nebraska city of 38,000.
Its location certainly plays into its
popularity.
The trail opened in 2016, a joint
effort between the city, the Nebraska
Public Power District, and a group of
paddling enthusiasts who formed the
Kearney Whitewater Association and
spearheaded the effort. Whitewater?
In Nebraska? More on that later.
The idea for the water trail was
first discussed among city staff and
citizens about 20 years ago, but for
various reasons never got off the
ground. It was resurrected by Kearney
resident Bruce Karnatz, who in 2010
was regularly riding his bike on
the Kearney Hike-Bike Trail, which
parallels the creek and canal. He had
done some paddling, but didn't even
own a kayak at the time.
"I always thought this stream is
about like the Dismal River," Karnatz
said. "It's perfect for floating. It's
not too fast. It's not too little. It's
dependable."
Karnatz figured there were others
in the community who thought the
same, and he went online and found
them. They met at a local watering
hole in 2011, approached the city
about opening the creek to recreational
use and officially formed the Kearney
Whitewater Association in 2012.
A few people were already using
the creek, but there was plenty of
Kearney
Water Trail
Story and photos by Eric Fowler
A
Bruce Karnatz of Kearney paddles a kayak down the Kearney Water Trail. Karnatz
and other water enthusiasts founded the Kearney Whitewater Association and
pushed for development of the trail.
