Where is niobrara river

As it flows across Nebraska, the Niobrara runs through a National Monument, two state parks, two state recreation areas, a National Forest, state wildlife management areas, a National Scenic River, and a National Recreation River. Learn more on Smith Falls and other public areas in the Niobrara Valley.

Toggle navigation. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Hundreds of bird species, bison and elk populate six major habitats at the 19,acre refuge 4 miles east of Valentine. Graham Canoe Outfitters Sign up for canoeing, kayaking or tubing trips along the Niobrara, or if you have gear, use the shuttle service. Merritt Reservoir One of the state's best fishing lakes, the reservoir 26 miles southwest of Valentine also hosts the annual Nebraska Star Party, which attracts astronomers of all skill levels for lectures and stargazing.

Niobrara National Scenic River Far removed from the urban landscape the closest major city is more than miles away , the 76 miles of the Niobrara designated as a national scenic river run through forests, bluffs and wildlife preserves.

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Grasslands surround lakes at this 71,acre area, where visitors bird-watch, hike and fish. Wildlife includes prairie chickens, known for their springtime mating dance. Young's Western Wear Shoppers in Valentine love the chaps, ropes, saddles and other tools of the cowboy trade. Frosty Drive-In Burgers and shakes top the menu at this Valentine joint with carhop service.

Frosty Drive-In on Facebook. Downstream from the confluence, Lewis and Clark Lake is expected to lose 50 percent of its water storage capacity by due to sediment accumulation in the reservoir— to date, it has already lost 30 percent of capacity.

As the sediment builds within the system, the Lower Niobrara is slowly losing the seeps, springs, riparian forests, prairies, and canyons that characterize this Wild and Scenic River. Only a few of the great cottonwood trees in the confluence area have survived the recent sustained high waters.

The USACE has purchased thousands of acres of riverside land to limit future liability, but this is not the long-term answer. The underlying sediment problem must be addressed now to secure a future for this Midwestern treasure. Below that is the Valentine Formation, largely composed of unconsolidated sand which was deposited Water from the Ogallala Aquifer flows out and over the face of the underlying Rosebud Formation million years old and forms numerous springs and waterfalls.

The Rosebud, a pinkish-tan siltstone, is predominately seen from the river in the form of cliffs, but also forms much of the upper riverbed itself. Pierre Shale is the lowest oldest formation exposed in the scenic river, usually in the form of cliffs.

It was formed in a marine environment million years ago. Fossils were first observed here in the mids, and paleontologists from the east started coming soon after. The most fossiliferous formation is the Valentine Formation.

Mammals and other vertebrates from the Miocene left considerable evidence of their being here—horses, rhinos, saber-toothed cats, snakes, alligators, and fish, to name a few. Dozens of fossil quarries have been identified, mostly on private land. One holds fossils of more species of mammals than any other in the world. The Ash Hollow also has fossils, such as early camels. Pleistocene-age river terraces also may contain any of the above, but also mastodon and mammoth.

Petrified wood and other plant fossils are also common.