Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area ecosystem supports 78 documented wildlife species across 68 taxonomic genera. Located in Keith County, Nebraska, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 16 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Keith County, Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area hosts 1% more species diversity. This location ranks #27 for species diversity among 100 Keith County County natural areas, placing it in the 73th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#27

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#27 of 100 locations

73th percentile for diversity

vs. Keith County

+1% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 78 total documented species.

Bombus pensylvanicus

Bumble Bee

Very Common23.95 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-Belted Bumblebee

Very Common6.78 obs.

Anaxyrus woodhousii

Woodhouse'S Toad

Very Common1.67 obs.

Croton capitatus

Hogwort

Very Common1.66 obs.

Tribulus terrestris

Puncturevine

Very Common1.6 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Scarole

Common1.59 obs.

Carabus serratus

Serrate-Shoulder Worm And Slug Hunter

Common1.59 obs.

Agropyron cristatum

Crested Wheatgrass

Common1.57 obs.

Yucca glauca

Beargrass

Common1.51 obs.

Platydracus fossator

Red-Spotted Rove Beetle

Common1.17 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

Ghostweed

Common1.15 obs.

Sporobolus cryptandrus

Prairie Grass

Occasional1.12 obs.

Argemone polyanthemos

Plains Prickly-Poppy

Occasional1.07 obs.

Stenomorpha opaca

Occasional1.01 obs.

Populus deltoides

Cottonwood

Occasional1 obs.

Euphorbia stictospora

Occasional1 obs.

Eleodes acuta

Occasional1 obs.

Distichlis spicata

Saltgrass

Rare1 obs.

Euphorbia glyptosperma

Ribseed Sandmat

Rare1 obs.

Carduus nutans

Musk Thistle

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+95%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Keith County County, Nebraska

Nearby Natural Areas

Keith County

Importance: 0.80

77 species

+1% vs. current

Ogallala

Importance: 0.70

72 species

+8% vs. current

Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area

Importance: 0.70

69 species

+13% vs. current

Brule

Importance: 0.70

10 species

+680% vs. current

Paxton

Importance: 0.70

10 species

+680% vs. current

Ogallala

Importance: 0.60

30 species

+160% vs. current

Ogallala Strip State Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.60

29 species

+169% vs. current

Searle Field

Importance: 0.60

24 species

+225% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Keith County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+95%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Keith County County, Nebraska

Nearby Natural Areas

Keith County

Importance: 0.80

77 species

+1% vs. current

Ogallala

Importance: 0.70

72 species

+8% vs. current

Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area

Importance: 0.70

69 species

+13% vs. current

Brule

Importance: 0.70

10 species

+680% vs. current

Paxton

Importance: 0.70

10 species

+680% vs. current

Ogallala

Importance: 0.60

30 species

+160% vs. current

Ogallala Strip State Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.60

29 species

+169% vs. current

Searle Field

Importance: 0.60

24 species

+225% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#27

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#27 of 100 locations

73th percentile for diversity

vs. Keith County

+1% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 78 total documented species.

Bombus pensylvanicus

Bumble Bee

Very Common23.95 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-Belted Bumblebee

Very Common6.78 obs.

Anaxyrus woodhousii

Woodhouse'S Toad

Very Common1.67 obs.

Croton capitatus

Hogwort

Very Common1.66 obs.

Tribulus terrestris

Puncturevine

Very Common1.6 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Scarole

Common1.59 obs.

Carabus serratus

Serrate-Shoulder Worm And Slug Hunter

Common1.59 obs.

Agropyron cristatum

Crested Wheatgrass

Common1.57 obs.

Yucca glauca

Beargrass

Common1.51 obs.

Platydracus fossator

Red-Spotted Rove Beetle

Common1.17 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

Ghostweed

Common1.15 obs.

Sporobolus cryptandrus

Prairie Grass

Occasional1.12 obs.

Argemone polyanthemos

Plains Prickly-Poppy

Occasional1.07 obs.

Stenomorpha opaca

Occasional1.01 obs.

Populus deltoides

Cottonwood

Occasional1 obs.

Euphorbia stictospora

Occasional1 obs.

Eleodes acuta

Occasional1 obs.

Distichlis spicata

Saltgrass

Rare1 obs.

Euphorbia glyptosperma

Ribseed Sandmat

Rare1 obs.

Carduus nutans

Musk Thistle

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 78 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.