Water's Edge Nature Center
Discover Water's Edge Nature Center in Algona
The Water's Edge Nature Center, nestled on west side of Smith Lake Park, offers a wide variety of outdoor and indoor activities including: camping, fishing, kayaking/canoeing, picnicking, hiking, educational opportunities, a meeting room inside the nature center, an enclosed shelter, swimming, playgrounds, and much more. Visit our webpage watersedgenc.com for more information.
History
Iowa's County Conservation program was established in 1955 when the General Assembly passed the County Conservation law. Five individuals were chosen to represent the Kossuth County Conservation Board by the Supervisors and the first meeting was held August 13, 1962, in the Kossuth County Courthouse. The first acquisition for the Kossuth County Conservation Board (KCCB) was 124 acres for Smith Lake. Purchased from Mrs. Ruth Scholtes on April 14, 1965, for $28,266 dollars. Construction of the 54-acre (man-made) lake was in the fall of 1965 and spring of 1966. The Water's Edge Nature Center was built in 2007.
Youtube video of the lake and Nature Center by "Watchable Wildlife of NW Iowa."
Features Available at Various Facilities
- A/C
- Carry in/carry out refuse
- Cooking / eating utensils
- Dump station
- Electricity
- Handicap Accessible
- Heating
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Picnic Table
- Pressurized water
- Refuse cans
- Restroom
- Swimming nearby
- Table with chairs
- Wi-Fi
The Water's Edge Nature Center Meeting Room is a large 35' by 45' meeting and convention room complete with tables, chairs, sound and video system, attached full kitchen, adjacent restrooms, and a beautiful view of Smith Lake. The Meeting Room can accommodate a maximum of 219 people for a come-and-go affair and can comfortably seat about 120 people with tables and chairs at a sit-down meal gathering.The Meeting Room is available for rent for graduation receptions, class reunions, wedding receptions, birthday parties, anniversary receptions, family reunions, club meetings, retreats, business meetings and a wide variety of other functions. Weekend rates are full day rental only (Saturday or Sunday) at $200 from 8:00 am till 1:00 am. Weekday rates are $30 an hour with a minimum of 2 hours. In addition to the rental fee, all renters are required to submit a fully refundable $200 damage deposit. If you plan to have alcohol at your event, you must submit an additional $200 alcohol deposit. These deposits will be refunded if the room is in good condition after your event. For more information on how you can rent the Meeting Room, call 515-295-2138. See also Meeting Room Brochure
Fishing
Smith Lake offers excellent bass and catfishing. It also currently supports a good year class of crappies. Other species include: yellow perch, an occasional walleye, bluegill, and bullhead. For more about fishing, including gps coordinates, click on "Activities" above.
Kayak Rental
KCCB has two kayaks, life jackets, and paddles for rent at the Nature Center. Call (515) 295-2138 for details.
Sample Kayak Rental Form
Enclosed Shelter
There is an enclosed shelter on the south side of the lake that may be rented for any number of activities including: receptions, graduations, club meetings, reunions, etc. Call the Nature Center for information.