{{short description|Lake in Missouri, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Smithville Lake | image = Smithville-lake1.jpg | caption = Lower portion of the lake from the east. The dam is just above the center. | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Clay / Clinton counties, Missouri, United States | coords = {{coord|39.42|N|94.53|W|format=dms|type:waterbody_region:US-MO|display=inline,title}} | type = reservoir | inflow = Little Platte River | outflow = Little Platte River | catchment = | basin_countries = United States | date-flooded = {{Start date|1979}} | length = | width = | area = {{convert|7190|acre|km2|abbr=on}} | depth = | max-depth = | volume = {{convert|246,500|acre feet|abbr=on}} | residence_time = | shore = {{convert|175|mi|km|0}} | elevation = {{convert|243|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{gnis|735989}}</ref> | islands = | cities = <!-- Map --> | pushpin_map = Missouri#USA | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Smithville Lake in Missouri, USA. | pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below --> | website = [https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Smithville-Lake/ Smithville Lake USACE] | reference = }}
'''Smithville Lake''' is a {{convert|7190|acre|ha|0|adj=on}} reservoir on the Little Platte branch of the Platte River in Clay County, Missouri near Smithville. It is the largest body of water in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The reservoir provides the water supply for Smithville, Missouri<ref>{{cite web|url=https://smithvillemo.org/departments/public_works/water_sewer/index.php|publisher=Smithville, Missouri|title=Water & Sewer|access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref>
The lake was built and is administered by the Kansas City office of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and was built primarily for flood control. The lake is 10th largest of Corps lakes in the district, but third in terms of shoreline. It has {{convert|5000|acre|km2|0}} of public land and {{convert|175|mi|km|0}} of shoreline.<ref name="lake"/>
==History== '''Smithville Dam''' was authorized in 1965. Construction began in 1972 with the dam being completed in 1977. Impoundment began in 1979. The dam is of earthen construction and is {{convert|4000|feet}} long. At its crest it is {{convert|105|feet}} high and contains a maximum capacity of {{convert|246,500|acre feet}}. It is owned and operated by the Corps of Engineers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://findlakes.com/northcentral_missouri_lakes_n39w93.htm |title=Sugar Creek Lake Thomas Hill Reservoir Thomas Hill Reservoir Area |access-date=2012-08-14 |archive-date=2012-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915023528/http://findlakes.com/northcentral_missouri_lakes_n39w93.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Geography== The Smithville Lake spans two counties in Missouri, with the bulk of the reservoir located in northwestern Clay County and the rest in southwestern Clinton County, Missouri.<ref name="MoDOTcnty"/>
===Communities=== The largest community around the Smithville Lake is the eponymous Smithville, Missouri located directly west of the reservoir. The other communities around the lake include the cities Plattsburg and Trimble and the census-desginated place of Paradise.<ref name="lake">{{cite web|url=https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll10/id/11778|title=Smithville Lake Map|publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers|access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> The unincorporated community of Arley is located just southeast of the reservoir's easternmost arm.<ref name="MoDOTcnty">{{cite web|url=https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/ClayCo2024_opt.pdf|title=Clay County Map, 2024|publisher=MoDOT|access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref>
==Recreation== Many recreation activities are present around the Smithville Lake including boating, fishing, golfing,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paradisepointegolf.com|title=Paradise Pointe Golf Complex|access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> and hunting. Four major parks are located along the reservoir in Clay County: Camp Branch Park,<ref name="ClayParks">{{cite web|url=https://claycountymo.gov/181/Reservation-Guidelines|publisher=Clay County, Missouri|title=Camping Reservation Guidelines at Smithville Lake|access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> Crows Creek Park,<ref name="ClayParks"/> Little Platte Park,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.claycountymo.gov/167/Beaches|publisher=Clay County, Missouri|title=Beaches|access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> and Smith's Fork City Park.<ref name="SmithvilleParksRec">{{cite web |url=https://www.smithvilleparksrec.com/campground| publisher= Smithville Parks and Recreation|title=Smith's Fork Campground| access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> There are two state protected lands located around Smithville Lake which are both in Clinton County: Trimble Wildlife Management Area and Smithville Lake State Wildlife Area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clintoncomo.org/recreation-outdoors/|title=Recreation & Outdoors|publisher=Clinton County, Missouri|access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref>
===Visitor Center=== The Jerry L. Litton Visitor Center by the dam tells the history of the area, as well as has memorabilia about the Congressman who died in a plane crash on election night after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Media/Release-View/Article/3559595/smithville-lake-holds-rededication-ceremony-for-jerry-l-litton-visitor-center/|title=Smithville Lake holds rededication ceremony for Jerry L. Litton Visitor Center|publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers|access-date=June 16, 2025|date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
===Fishing=== The Smithville Lake is home to many species of fish; some of the most popular include bass, catfish, crappie, and walleye.<ref name="MDC">{{cite web|url=https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/smithville-lake| publisher=Missouri Department of Conservation|title=Smithville Lake| access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> The Missouri Department of Conservation has identified hundreds of fish attractors around the reservoir to aid fishers.<ref name="MDC"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Smithville-Lake/ Official Corps of Engineers site] {{commons category|Smithville Lake}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Protected areas of Clay County, Missouri Category:Protected areas of Clinton County, Missouri Category:Buildings and structures in Clay County, Missouri Category:Reservoirs in Missouri Category:Dams in Missouri Category:United States Army Corps of Engineers dams Category:Bodies of water of Clay County, Missouri Category:Bodies of water of Clinton County, Missouri Category:Bodies of water of the Kansas City metropolitan area