Although we have miles and miles of rivers and hundreds – maybe thousands if you count all of those little ones in the Sandhills – of lakes, Nebraska isn’t exactly known for having rich blue water. It’s not that our water isn’t clean and beautiful, but in general, you can expect it to have a slight brown coloration. All except for a few places…and this one is king.

Our love of Lake McConaughy, located near Ogallala, is no secret. This gorgeous reservoir with white sandy beaches is as close as you're going to get to a tropical beach in Nebraska.
CNPPID/Nate Nielsen
The water levels vary, but on a good day you can find a wide beach and crisp, deep blue water to play in.
CNPPID
There's a whole science behind why some water appears blue - light refraction, water depth, and some other factors all contribute. But the science doesn't really matter when you're swimming, boating, fishing, or camping.
By vicki watkins from USA - Lake McConaughy Kite Surfing, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3401429

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All you're concerned about is getting out there on the water and making the most of your time there.
flickr/Keith Sumual
Unlike a lot of Nebraska lakes that seem dirty because of their brownish appearance, Lake Mac has this lovely blue hue that makes it incredibly inviting.
flickr/Kevin Sumual
Just look at that - a clear blue sky topping the baby blue of the lake. You want to be here right now, don't you?
TripAdvisor/Melanie S.
Maybe we'll never have the deep sapphire-blue waters of the tropics, but as far as water destinations go, Lake McConaughy is Nebraska's little version of paradise.
ILoveLakeMac.com

Lake Mac might be the most popular, but we know there are other bodies of water out there with beautiful blue water. What’s your favorite? Tell us about it in the comments! Meanwhile, here are some of the best places to swim in Nebraska with clear, clean water – just be sure to get out there before summer slips away.

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Featured Addresses
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, 1475 NE-61, Ogallala, NE 69153, USA