The foundations of old Lemoyne emerge from Lake McConaughy’s receding waters in this aerial photo taken Monday morning by Grant resident and City Council member Sam Sims. As of Tuesday, Aug. 25, the reservoir stood at 3,202.8 feet in elevation, holding about 409,600 acre-feet of water — 23.5% of capacity — according to the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. Nebraska Game and Parks officials said years of drought have pushed the lake to historically low levels last seen in 2006, forcing the closure of all public boat ramps. Lemoyne’s homes and businesses were moved or demolished before the reservoir began filling behind Kingsley Dam in 1941, leaving foundations that become visible during periods of exceptionally low water. The unusual sight has drawn visitors from neighboring communities, including Perkins County, to the Keith County lake.
