The Walgren Lake Monster

Walgren Lake is located near Hay Springs Nebraska and is about 50-acres. Stories have persisted over the years regarding this creature, but this story really begins with the account from Nebraskan J.A. Johnson back in 1923. Johnson a local, spotted the unknown creature and described the animal as dull grey or brown and very similar to an alligator, 

He stated that it was much larger and heavier with a horn between its eyes and nostrils. Johnson and two other locals claimed to have seen the monster from about twenty yards away. The men estimated the creature to be about forty feet long. Johnson claimed that the creature roared loudly.  It is believed by many that Johnson may have seen a larger beaver. 

Several years prior to this event there were strange reports of the Monster in the Hay Spring News and later articles discussing plans to capture it. These included dragging the entire lake to capture it. 

Other reported sightings describe the creature differently. They describe the legend as being more like a mudpuppy. Others claim it is similar to a large catfish. Other reports that it spouts water like a whale. Sizes range all over the place, from a few feet to 50 feet. 

Although this legend appears to be more current, the legend really dates back centuries with Native American tribes recording stories of a monster that inhabited the lake. 

Over the years Nebraskans have seen the evolution of the monster change. In the late 1930’s it’s reported the monster came ashore to eat livestock. It’s also claimed the size of the monster was so great the earth shook and caused sea sickness. 

Skeptics claim that the story itself was perpetuated by Nebraskan John Maher, a skilled hoaxer. He was able to feed the story to the London Times and was gifted at sensationalizing stories. From here, the monster’s legend grew over the years and today the lake monster is embraced by the community. 

There are still legitimate questions though that should be asked surrounding the Walgren Lake Monster. Could the animal have died decades ago? There’s certainly circumstantial evidence with so many eyewitness reports. It’s unlikely the animal exists today or if it does, it would almost certainly have to be small. Still, at one time it could have existed.