Lake Minatare reopened to the public

Lake Minatare has reopened to the public after being closed due to a large number of dead birds being reported  near the lake, on March 12.  

Lake Minatare is the largest body of water in the panhandle and serves as a stopping point for migratory bird species along the Central Flyway. Nebraska had four avian death events like this one in 2020.  

This event alone resulted in more avian deaths than the four last year. In 2020, 625 birds were killed. Some estimations about the Lake Minatare deaths are as high as 1,200. A majority of the dead birds were Canada geese and Mallard ducks. 

The carcasses were gathered by state officials and sent off to be tested to determine cause of death. Six mallards were sent to the National Wildlife Health Center Laboratory, who then sent samples to other labs. 

 The labs have yet to discover the exact cause of death, but Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has noted that there is little risk to the public.  

Avian influenza, fowl cholera and contaminated water have all been ruled out as possible causes for the event.

All of the bird carcasses were immediately removed from the area, double bagged and were taken to the local landfill to be buried.