56 Nebraskaland • December 2025
During the winter, eagles roost in cottonwoods
around Lake Ogallala at night. They take flight in
search of fish in the spillway before sunrise, and again
in the evening before returning to roost. When they
aren't feeding, eagles rest in trees or on the ice around
the lake, and on Lake McConaughy above it.
You will find the most eagles at the lake during the
coldest winters, when lakes and rivers are frozen and
the spillway might provide the only open water in
the area. The best viewing and photo opportunities
occur when the Central Nebraska Public Power and
Irrigation District hydroelectric plant is running and
both water and fish are flowing through the dam. That
schedule, however, is highly variable during the winter
when the district is holding back water to refill Lake
McConaughy for the next irrigation season.
Central's eagle viewing facility overlooks the spillway.
It is open on weekends, typically beginning in late
December through February. Binoculars and spotting
scopes are available, and educators can answer
questions. For more information, go to CNPPID.com,
or call 308-284-2332.
Visitors watch eagles and other fowl from the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District eagle viewing
facility at Lake Ogallala. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
Eagle Viewing at Lake Ogallala
An eagle is reflected in the spillway as it snatches a freshwater drum from the water.
