Harlan County, Nebraska -- In response to declining lake levels and heavy sediment accumulation, officials at Harlan County Lake have temporarily closed the Gremlin Cove Boat Ramp, effective immediately. This is the largest and most frequently used boat ramp on the lake, and the closure will also impact access to the North Shore Marina.
As of today, the lake elevation stands at 1935.60, down from last week’s level of 1936.14 feet. A significant amount of sediment—estimated at three to four feet—washed into the main channel during June’s windy weather, dramatically reducing depth. Based on a prior channel assessment on April 1, it would have been approximately 5.5 feet deep at this time without the additional sediment.
"We’re fortunate we made it this far into the season," said Tom Zikmund, Harlan County Lake operations project manager.
Due to current lake conditions, the Gremlin Cove ramp is no longer safely operable. Closure signs have been posted at the ramp entrance. The public is encouraged to check the Harlan County Lake webpage for the most up-to-date information on lake access and closures.
Planned sediment removal and dredging efforts
An attempt to remove sediment will begin the week of August 25th, 2025. Efforts will focus on the shallowest areas of the dredge channel, and an access update will be provided by Thursday August 29th, 2025.
However, the most effective long-term solution is a dredge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has secured funding and a solicitation for a new dredge, which is currently advertised on SAM.gov.
“The community’s support has been key, and we want everyone to know we’re doing all we can to restore and maintain safe lake access,” Zikmund said.
For more information regarding Harlan County Lake’s authorizations, please visit the lake project’s website at https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Harlan-County-Lake/Lake-Overview/.
For questions, please contact the Harlan County Lake Project Office at 308-799-2105 or email harlan.county@usace.army.mil