6 Nov 2018

Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake announce limited access to Jerry Litton Visitor Center

SMITHVILLE, Mo.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake announce limited public access into the Jerry Litton Visitor Center due to construction projects scheduled November 12, 2018 through March 31, 2019. All Visitor Center exhibits will be closed. The reception area of the visitor center will remain open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for maps and general information.

25 Jul 2018

Dry conditions affect Smithville Lake recreation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Shallow points and normally submerged hazards are becoming a common sight as the Smithville Lake level continues to drop. Normal multipurpose pool is 864.2 feet above mean sea level. Currently the lake is at 861.67 msl. The lake level continues to slowly drop due to evaporation, water supply and no additional inflow due to drought conditions within the Smithville Lake watershed counties of Clinton, Clay, and DeKalb. It's important for all visitors to understand the lake and risks associated with recreating in low water.

3 Nov 2017

Eagle Days scheduled at Smithville Lake

SMITHVILLE, Mo.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to Smithville Lake’s 23rd Annual Eagle Days in Smithville, Mo., Jan. 6 and 7, 2018. “Nearly 1,500 attend this event annually,” said Derek Dorsey, Smithville Lake park manager. “This will be the 23rd year the Corps of Engineers has hosted this event and we appreciate working with our local partners to ensure the attendees have a great experience at the Smithville Lake Eagle Days.”

8 Dec 2016

Eagle Days scheduled at Smithville Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invite the public to Smithville Lake’s 22nd Annual Eagle Days in Smithville, Mo., Jan. 7 and 8, 2017. The two-day event is highlighted by live predatory bird programs hosted by Operation Wildlife on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. at the Paradise Pointe Golf Course Complex.

3 Nov 2016

Managed deer hunt scheduled at Smithville Lake

SMITHVILLE, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake will host a special deer hunt for disabled hunters Nov. 19 and 20. All hiking and biking trails at Smithville Lake and Smithsfork Park will be closed during the two-day event.

13 Oct 2016

Smithville Lake aims to boost dwindling butterfly and bee population

Pollinators such as butterflies and bees have been on the decline in recent years, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District is actively working to increase their numbers. Monarch butterfly populations have decreased by 90 percent due to loss of habitat and nectar sources. Milkweed, the sole food source for monarch butterfly larvae, has diminished drastically in the United States due to mowing and herbicide use, especially along roadways and agricultural land.

17 Aug 2016

Corps Reminds Hunters of “Archery Only” Restriction

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The fall hunting season is just around the corner and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District reminds hunters to review any recent changes in hunting regulations and area restrictions. Effective this March, the Missouri Department of Conservation changed regulations to include: allowing crossbows as a legal method during archery deer and turkey seasons; allowing the use of crossbows during the fall firearms turkey season; and removing the hunting method exemption requirement related to crossbows during the archery deer and turkey season.

9 Dec 2015

Smithville Lake Eagle Days scheduled

SMITHVILLE, Mo.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Clay County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Missouri Department of Conservation invite the public to Eagle Days at Smithville Lake, Smithville, Mo., January 9 and 10, 2016. The two-day event is highlighted by live predatory bird programs by Operation Wildlife on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. at the Paradise Pointe Golf Course Complex in Smithville, Mo. Kids’ crafts and other vendors will participate Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m.to 3:30 p.m. Eagle viewing stations with spotting scopes and agency personnel will be available to help visitor's view live eagles in the wild.

17 Nov 2015

Smithville Lake Managed Deer Hunt scheduled

SMITHVILLE, Mo.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake will host a special deer hunt for disabled hunters on November 21 and 22. This year commemorates the 26th anniversary of the Annual Managed Deer Hunt which consists of 65 blinds that are accessible by truck in and around designated park areas and Waterfowl Refuge. All hiking and biking trails at Smithville Lake and Smithsfork Park will be closed for the two-day event. This hunt continues to prove a success year after year for many hunters that otherwise would not have the ability to enjoy deer season.

30 Jul 2015

Smithville Lake high water and blue-green algae update

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City Districts reports that the blue-green algae bloom reported earlier this month has dissipated and the lake elevation has now fallen to only 3 feet above normal pool. The beaches are open and lake recreation has returned to normal conditions.