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Cunningham Lake Community-Based Watershed Management Plan
Cunningham Lake is a 377-acre multipurpose flood control and recreation reservoir located on
the northern edge of the City of Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska. The reservoir was constructed in the early 1970’s by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part of a series of flood control structures designed to reduce flooding in and around the City of Omaha. Currently,
the USACE owns and operates the structure and leases the site to the City of Omaha, which administers and maintains the Lake’s recreational
facilities. In addition, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission manages the fishery.
Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural with
increasing amounts of acreage development dispersed primarily around Cunningham Lake and along the eastern edge of the watershed. Currently, the
City of Omaha is growing rapidly with urban development already infringing on the extreme southeast edge of the watershed. City of Omaha planners
expect this trend to continue and project complete build out of the Papio Watershed before 2050.
Historically, urban development has had significant negative impacts on reservoir water quality. During the build out process, sediment from
construction sites is transported through the watershed stream network and deposited in the downstream receiving water body. Typically, the
amount of sediment entering a stream from construction-related activities surpasses that of agricultural land uses and as a result can dramatically
reduce the effective life and recreation value of a reservoir.
 In addition, many reservoirs also experience excessive nutrient and bacteria loading after
watershed development. This is often attributable to a combination of improper lawn care, large amounts of small animal (dogs and cats) waste, and
impervious surfaces such as sidewalks streets and storm sewers, which are very efficient in delivering nutrients and bacteria to streams.
Many agencies and entities including the City of Omaha, Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District (PMRNRD), USACE, NDEQ, Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission (NGPC), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recognize both the existing water quality concerns and the potential
impacts of development and have been actively involved in assessment and conservation efforts for Cunningham Lake and its watershed. A brief
summary of some of the past and ongoing efforts follows:
1986 - The lake and watershed are included in the Special Project for Omaha’s Recreation of Tomorrow (SPORT) Program. Program efforts focus on
development of management strategies to promote water quality, erosion and sediment control, and flood control.
1992 – “Diagnostic/
Feasibility Study for Glen Cunningham Lake.” This study was commissioned by the PMRNRD and included lake and watershed water quality sampling,
development of loading estimates, and development of water quality goals for the reservoir.
1999 – “Best Management Practices for Construction Sites: Cunningham, Standing Bear, and Zorinsky Lake Watersheds”. This publication supplements
the “City of Omaha Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Manual” and limits sediment export from construction sites in the Cunningham Lake watershed
to 5 tons per acre. In addition, it details acceptable erosion control Best Management Practices (BMPs) and provides forms to be used to calculate
BMP efficiency for site planning.
Cunningham Lake Watershed Resource Assessment
The NRCS and PMRNRD are in the process of finishing a detailed assessment of land use and treatment in the watershed. This information has been
used extensively during the development of this document. Current information will continue to be very valuable throughout the watershed management
planning process.
Community-Based Watershed Management Plan
This land use study is the culmination of the first phase of the community-based planning effort for Cunningham Lake. In the spring of 2004,
technical and watershed advisory teams will be formed and the watershed planning will begin.
USACE 1135 Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project
The 1135 Feasibility Report for Cunningham Lake is currently slated for completion in the fall of 2004. This study will focus on habitat and
fishery enhancement both through in-lake measures and possibly the development of sediment basins proximal to the lake.
City of Omaha Recreational Master Plan
The City of Omaha is currently in the process of updating the recreational master plan for Cunningham Lake. The City is planning a host of facility
and access improvements and additions and is looking to incorporate the elements of the USACE 1135 Project into the final Master Plan.
Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership Report
This report addresses issues related to surface water quality and storm water quantity in the watershed by establishing goals and standards common
to the region for development within the watershed through 2040. The Partnership will also focus on completing required National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater permit applications for participating entities and will work on the planning elements of a
comprehensive Papillion Creek Watershed Plan.
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