NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: https://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1546643
August-September 2026 • Nebraskaland 47 SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR Sutherland Reservoir, completed in 1936, was created to connect the North Platte River with Lake Ogallala's canal systems. It remains an important part of the hydroelectric, irrigation and water-management system operated by the Nebraska Public Power District. It also supplies water to cool the adjacent Gerald Gentleman Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant in Nebraska. After water leaves the station, it travels down a canal to a stair-step device resembling a waterfall that helps reduce the temperature of the water as it descends to the Sutherland Reservoir cooling pond, before entering the main part of the reservoir through what many locals call "the bubble." Wildlife In the fall, hunters utilize the reservoir in boat blinds and by bank in pursuit of waterfowl. Then, as winter descends and the lake freezes, the bubble area remains open and holds ducks, geese and eagles for photographers. During the spring and fall migrations, shorebirds and songbirds — including vireos, flycatchers, yellowlegs and sandpipers, to name a few — visit the reservoir and congregate along the shoreline of the 3,000-acre lake. Fishing During the summer, anglers take advantage of the bubble, as fish are attracted to the flowing water there. As with many reservoirs that have canal water flowing through them, the flowing channels create drop-offs where anglers troll or anchor to catch fish. Sutherland is stocked with walleye, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, freshwater drum and wiper, making it a prime spot for mixed-bag anglers. Amenities Sutherland has three campgrounds run by Game and Parks: the Inlet, Hershey Beach and Westshore campgrounds. The Inlet: • 22 electric sites • freshwater hydrants • fire rings • picnic tables • a fish cleaning station • vault latrine Hershey Beach: • numerous primitive campsites with shade and scenic views • a popular swim beach • vault latrines • boat ramp Westshore: • boat ramp • vault latrine • basic camping among the trees and beautiful shoreline Every area here has ample places to take a walk, rest in the shade, or sit and enjoy the sun. Nearby attractions include a nine-hole golf course along the north shore. ABOVE: Getting pulled behind a boat or personal watercraft brings a weekend of fun at Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area. OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Barge hunting is a great way to successfully hunt waterfowl at Sutherland Reservoir. Shane Freihage and Jeremy Gilbert pull their barge into the decoys to anchor down as Wes Gilbert opens the barge door. OPPOSITE MIDDLE LEFT: Fun and camping in the sun is enjoyed by many at Hershey Beach at Sutherland, and there's plenty of shade trees and water when you feel the need to cool off. LEFT: The bubble at Sutherland is where the action is for fishing — fish love the fast-moving water there. Water coming from the cooling pond travels through a massive underground tube structure, creating intense pressure as it reaches the surface of the main part of the reservoir causing it to bubble.