Kearney Whitewater Park

Kearney Whitewater Park Turning Flatwater Into Whitewater

Phase I consisted of developing the canal tailrace and Turkey Creek into a water trail through south Kearney.

“The potential that Kearney holds for boating enthusiasts ranges from casual Sunday floats to regional competitions that attract competitors from great distances, it’s simply a matter of deciding what fits in Kearney.” - Scott Shipley, S2o Design The tailrace confluences with the creek near Yanney Park and together these would form the 2.3 mile water trail. KWA helped expedite this development by

coordinating discussions between the city and the Nebraska Public Power District. An agreement between the city and NPPD soon followed which allowed recreational use of the tailrace and the development of a landing near the NE corner of Yanney Park. The city also reached an agreement with Midway Automotive Group to develop an exit landing on their property between 2nd Avenue and Central Avenue. Phase I of the project will also include further cleanup of the stream and placing signage in appropriate locations. Phase II is now in progress and focuses on the development of whitewater features near 2nd Avenue. In 2015 the Kearney Whitewater Association hired S2O Design & Engineering to complete a whitewater park feasibility study. This study was finalized in 2016 and was entirely funded by KWA. This was an important step which showed that our vision for a whitewater park in Kearney was possible. In 2018 the Association and the City of Kearney jointly hired S2O Design to complete a preliminary plan for developing whitewater features. The city has enlisted the services of Miller & Associates who have helped obtain the necessary permits issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers. We have now raised enough funds to build two whitewater features. The Kearney City Council approved the bid from Whinnery Construction from Lake City, Colorado and construction is expected to begin in December 2021. This whitewater park will be a family friendly venue, ideal for both beginners or experts, and it will be available to the public free of charge. This will significantly enhance the beauty and ambience of Kearney’s south entryway. A whitewater park in Kearney will provide recreational, environmental, cultural and economic benefits to the Kearney area. Whitewater parks have been proven to attract visitors from long distances and have a positive economic impact in the areas where they have been developed. If you support this project click "Like" and contact a Page Administrator and ask what you can do to help make this happen.

06/13/2026
NEW KEARNEY WHITEWATER GEAR FOR 2026Kearney Whitewater Association recently collaborated with Fearless Ink Custom Appare...
06/08/2026

NEW KEARNEY WHITEWATER GEAR FOR 2026
Kearney Whitewater Association recently collaborated with Fearless Ink Custom Apparel to create some exciting, new gear for sale. We are inviting you to check out and purchase these items from our latest collection. The store will only be open through June 21, so get your orders placed now! Kearney Whitewater Association members receive a discount with a paid membership! Join today at https://kearneywhitewater.org/join/

Proceed to this link below to place your order.
https://kearneywhitewater26.itemorder.com

Online ordering for Kearney Whitewater Spring 2026 ends on Wed, Jun 24, 2026 (11:59 PM CDT)

Join today and stay in the loop so you don't miss out on any group floats or events this summer!Our once-a-year KWA appa...
05/12/2026

Join today and stay in the loop so you don't miss out on any group floats or events this summer!

Our once-a-year KWA apparel store opens soon!
Membership includes a credit toward your apparel order.

https://kearneywhitewater.org/join/

$30 for Individual Membership
$60 for Family Membership

Good times coming soon!
04/11/2026

Good times coming soon!

03/28/2026

Are you interested in joining a group dedicated to making a difference in the community? The Kearney Whitewater Association is pleased to announce that memberships for 2026 are now available for purchase. Annual dues remain at $60 for families and $30 for individuals. These contributions help us expand paddling opportunities for everyone in the Kearney area. Plus, your 2026 membership includes a credit toward purchasing KWA apparel. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Kearney Whitewater Association. To join or renew your membership, please visit the link below:

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Merry Christmas! May your year be filled with cool waves and slow days…
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! May your year be filled with cool waves and slow days…

12/05/2025

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to Kearney Whitewater during the Give Where You Live campaign. These funds will be applied towards enhancing local paddling opportunities. We look forward to sharing updates regarding upcoming initiatives in the coming year.

We’re looking forward to the Give Where You Live fundraiser happening on Thursday, December 4. If you’d like to support ...
12/03/2025

We’re looking forward to the Give Where You Live fundraiser happening on Thursday, December 4. If you’d like to support the Kearney Whitewater Association, we’re eager to share how your contributions will be used.

Join us at McCue’s Nebraska Taproom at 2008 Avenue A, from 6–9 PM, to learn more about future developments for KWA.

Donation link - https://www.givewhereyoulive.net/organization/KearneyWhitewater

Thank you for your support and we hope to see you there!

09/03/2025

Great to see UNK Outdoor Adventures/Climbing Wall hosting paddle nights for UNK Students. Sign up now!

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200 3rd Avenue
Kearney, NE
68845

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