Largest lakes & reservoirs in Nebraska by shoreline length
The length of the exterior shoreline around a lake is measured at the lake’s normal elevation. The shoreline length can be considerably shorter or longer when lake water levels are lower or higher than normal. A lake with many coves has a much longer shoreline than a lake of similar surface area that is nearly circular in shape.When known, the shoreline miles that we report in our statistics include only the lake’s exterior shoreline, and exclude the shorelines of islands located within a lake’s boundaries. In lakes with many islands, those islands’ combined shorelines may exceed a lake’s exterior shoreline.
You can find many of the world’s longest-shoreline lakes on LakeLubbers. Note: For some lakes, "Longest Shorelines" data is unknown or does not apply, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 13 articles we have published for Nebraska lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US Midwest Region > Nebraska > Compared by longest shoreline length in miles. This list does not represent all lakes in Nebraska, only the 13 Nebraska lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Shoreline length in miles |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark Lake, NE/SD (Lewis and Clark Region, NE, Nebraska, South Dakota, Southeast Region, SD, US Midwest Region, USA) |
90 mi | Stretching 25 miles long and straddling the Nebraska and South Dakota border, 28,000-acre Lewis and Clark Lake is the smallest of the Missouri River r… |
| Lake McConaughy, NE (Nebraska, Prairie Lakes Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
76 mi | Also known as Big Mac Lake McConaughy, commonly called Big Mac, is Nebraska’s largest reservoir with 30,500 acres and 76 shoreline miles. Lake McConaughy is conveniently lo… |
| Harlan County Lake, NE (Frontier Trails Region, NE, Nebraska, US Midwest Region, USA) |
75 mi | Harlan County Lake covers an impressive 13,250 acres in south-central Nebraska’s Frontier Trails region. Just seven miles from the Nebraska / Kansas s… |
| Sherman Reservoir (Nebraska, Sandhills Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
68 mi | Also known as Sherman Lake Sherman Reservoir adds great recreation value to the Sandhills region of Nebraska in addition to precious irrigation water for thousands of farm acres… |
| Merritt Reservoir, NE (Nebraska, Sandhills Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
44 mi | Deep in the heart of the Midwest, in the Sandhills region of Nebraska, lies the 2,906-acre Merritt Reservoir. This secluded lake is a paradise for tho… |
| Calamus Reservoir, NE (Nebraska, Sandhills Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
31 mi | Located in central Nebraska, the Calamus Reservoir is a wonderful place to relax, appreciate the beauty of nature, and enjoy some fun on the water. Th… |
| Branched Oak Lake, NE (Metro Region, NE, Nebraska, US Midwest Region, USA) |
16 mi | Also known as Dam Site #18 Branched Oak Lake, part of the Branched Oak State Recreation Area, is conveniently located northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska’s state capital. Branched Oa… |
| Lake Minatare, NE (Nebraska, Panhandle Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
12 mi | In the western strip of Nebraska known as “the Panhandle” lies the 2,158 acre Lake Minatare. This reservoir is located in Nebraska’s North Platte Vall… |
| Carter Lake IA (Iowa, Metro Region, NE, Nebraska, Southwest Iowa, US Midwest Region, USA) |
7 mi | In the late 1800’s the Missouri River changed its course, altering the future of the area around Omaha, Nebraska and creating Carter Lake. Spanning pa… |
| Lake Wanahoo (Metro Region, NE, Nebraska, US Midwest Region, USA) |
4 mi | Also known as Wanahoo Reservoir The newest lake in Nebraska’s Metro Region, Lake Wanahoo will officially greet visitors on April 28, 2012. This attractive gem is eagerly anticipated… |
| Fremont Lakes (Metro Region, NE, Nebraska, US Midwest Region, USA) |
1 mi | Also known as Fremont State Recreation Area Fremont Lakes have turned human handiwork into a natural and recreational paradise. These small lakes are the result of groundwater filling sand-minin… |
| Buckskin Hills Lake, NE (Lewis and Clark Region, NE, Nebraska, US Midwest Region, USA) |
1 mi | Also known as Buckskin Hills Reservoir and Buckskin Hills Wildlife Management Area Buckskin Hills Lake is a small prairie lake of about 75 acres located in northeastern Nebraska’s Dixon County. Lying four miles southwest of the town… |