Lower Elkhorn NRD

10/09/2026

Thank you, Adam!!

10/09/2026

The MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL at the Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area, north of Stanton, is designed for mountain bikers but is also used by trail runners and hikers and other non-motorized users.

The 7.2-mile mountain bike trail is the only one in a radius of 50 miles. Hand-built and maintained by volunteers, the trail has survived a tornado, drought, and even pine beetle disease. It features rock and wood features to challenge riders; traversing hilly prairies, ponderosa forests, and cedar woods with views of the lake. The trail is used most months out of the year with hikers, snowshoers and bikers enjoying a snowy trail, as well as nighttime biking.

The trail has hosted the MASKENTHINE ANGRY OWLS mountain bike team for the past 6 years. The team is made up of middle school and high school students from Pilger, Norfolk, Battle Creek, Madison, Wisner and Neligh. Maskenthine has been the host for the past several years for the league finale held in October.

The trail is categorized as an XC Mountain Bike Trail which combines endurance and skill to navigate the terrain. Mountain biking has been one of the fastest growing outside activities in the United States and is one of the the fastest growing sports for those under age 18. Maskenthine Trail Network

10/09/2026

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

📌The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District Board of Directors will be meeting at the Lower Elkhorn NRD office on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for the Board of Directors Committee Meeting. The meeting will also be livestreamed on our page. Here is a link to the meeting agenda ➡ https://bit.ly/43jbxRN

10/04/2026

Thank you so much, Adam! You did a fabulous job! 🚴‍♂️

10/02/2026

Gary Loftis of Craig, director for the Lower Elkhorn NRD, was recognized for 35 years of service this week, at the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) annual conference in Kearney. Thank you, Gary, for your strong leadership and sacrifices made over the past 35 years! You have been a tremendous asset to our board and a steadfast supporter of our 12 responsibilities. Congratulations! Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

10/01/2026

At noon today we held a ribbon-cutting and recognition ceremony for Len Dickinson and
Jule Goeller, along with the Timberlyne staff, for their generous donation of the resources necessary for the new pavilion at the Pilger Recreation Area.
The recreation area is in Stanton County, one mile east of Pilger and then one mile north. The watershed dam was constructed in 1966 as a Public Law (PL) 566 project, under the supervision of the USDA Soil Conservation Service.
The Pilger watershed has 4,700 acres of drainage. For 60 years now, the dam has been providing flood protection for 435 acres of agricultural land, 2.75 miles of road, 8 bridges, and the residences and businesses within a 10-block section of the Village of Pilger.
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) developed the area as a public recreation facility in 1974 with funds from the Federal Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. The area was also the first PL 566 site in Nebraska to be developed for recreation by a Natural Resources District (NRD).
The LENRD purchased 118 acres at the site which includes the 54-surface acre lake and developed the area with recreation facilities over the years. The lake is stocked with fish by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Pilger Lake also provides 85-surface acres of floodwater protection behind the dam. 💧🌳🎣🦆🛶 Thank you to Len and Jule for their giving spirit and deep appreciation for our natural resources. What they have shared with the Pilger area will be enjoyed and celebrated for years to come! Jule Goeller Timberlyne Group