Carter Lake is a shallow oxbow lake straddling the Iowa-Nebraska border, uniquely situated west of the Missouri River. Created in 1877 when a flood cut off a portion of the Missouri River known as Saratoga Bend, the lake now offers paddling opportunities adjacent to Omaha.

The lake features one publicly accessible boat ramp located on the northeast side off Abbott Road and E Carter Boulevard. Boating is legally permitted, though paddlers should be aware of two invasive aquatic plant species present in the lake: curlyleaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil.

Wildlife viewing opportunities include various fish species native to the lake such as black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, green sunfish, and largemouth bass. The lake is periodically stocked with channel catfish and northern pike, which may affect paddling routes during fishing activity.

Levi Carter Park at 3100 Abbott Drive provides shoreline access and amenities. The lake's historical significance includes its past as a recreational destination - in the early 1900s, it featured a beach resort with a large boathouse and two-story pavilion, as well as a Rod and Gun Club and YMCA camp along its shores.

The lake remains an active site for community engagement, as evidenced by organized cleanup events involving kayakers working to maintain the lake's environmental quality. For paddlers interested in contributing to conservation efforts, the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission occasionally hosts volunteer cleanup events during summer evenings.

Due to its urban location and historical development, Carter Lake offers a unique paddling experience where Iowa and Nebraska's borders meet, creating an interesting geographical anomaly that paddlers can explore while navigating its waters.