Smithville Lake

Smithville Lake is a man-made lake in Clay County, Missouri, created in 1969 by the construction of the Smithville Dam on the Little Platte River. The lake has a surface area of 8.6 square miles and is used for recreation, including swimming, fishing, and boating. The lake is also a source of drinking water for the city of Smithville.

The dam and lake were built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers as part of a flood control project. The lake is owned and operated by the Corps of Engineers. The city of Smithville leases the land around the lake from the Corps of Engineers and operates three parks on the lake: Raintree Lake Park, Smithville Lake Park, and Camp Branch Glade Park.

The lake is home to a variety of fish, including bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish. Fishing is a popular activity on the lake, and there are several boat ramps and docks around the lake that provide access for boaters.