The Kossuth County Conservation Board (KCCB) is grateful to be the recipient of a donation of approximately 80 acres of land along Buffalo Creek northeast of Burt from Rodney A. Schmidt, previous owner of the property.
Rod was born and raised in Kossuth County. He had many interesting jobs and experiences in his life including being a ranger in Yellowstone National Park, flying helicopters for the military and guiding elk hunters in the western states. He was very successful in raising elk and buffalo both at his Plum Creek ranch near Burt and near Garden Grove, Iowa. Rod purchased the 80 acres near Burt with the goal of raising elk again on that property. Unfortunately, health concerns did not allow him to fulfill that goal. Rod passed away on March 10, 2024.
Rod had set up a life estate on the property so when he died, the property was deeded to the Kossuth County Conservation Board. Rod requested in his deed that the land be open to the general public for nature study, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. He did have some restrictions on the land regarding hunting.
The property is located northeast of Burt in Section 10 of Portland Township and is divided into two separate tracts. The west tract of around 60 acres lies north of 320th Street and west of 167th Ave. and was previously in pasture. Buffalo Creek winds its way thru the middle of this piece and a building site of around 5 acres is located on the northeast corner. This tract is also adjacent to the Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge on the west. Rod completed several habitat projects on this part of the property including creating several wetland ponds, enrolling 7 acres in the Conservation Reserve Program and planting around 17 acres to native grasses and wildflowers. This area will be called the “Buffalo Creek Nature Preserve”. It will be open to the public year-round, and per Rod’s request hunting will not be allowed. A parking area is located on the property along the south road ( 320th Street) and parking will also be allowed where the existing building site is.
The east tract of the property is located north of 320th Street and east of 167th Ave. and totals around twenty acres. Buffalo Creek also flows thru this piece which is comprised mostly of river bottom timber. On the northwest corner of this tract, around 5 acres have been enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and were planted to native grasses and wildflowers. This area will be called the “David Rike Public Hunting Area”. It will also be open year-round to the public for outdoor recreational activities. In addition, hunting will be allowed, but archery hunting only per Rod’s request.
The KCCB is excited about the opportunities this new acquisition will provide for environmental education field trips and outdoor enthusiasts. We look forward to developing the area for the public and enhancing the wildlife habitat on the property. The KCCB is greatly appreciative of Rod Schmidt for this generous gift to Kossuth County residents. We look forward to carrying out his wishes of promoting outdoor recreation and educating the public on the values and importance of wildlife and habitat.
Plum Creek Dam Boat Ramp October 2024
This past Fall the KCCB completed the replacement of a boat ramp at the Plum Creek Dam area northeast of Algona. This area is a popular place to launch a boat or canoe and float the river to Algona. The new concrete boat ramp replaces the old one that had been constructed in 2021. The majority of funding for this project came from an Iowa DNR Water Recreation Access Costshare (WRAC) grant. The contractors installing the new ramp were Reutzel Excavating Inc. and Harms Masonry both of Burt.
Smith Lake Bioretention Cell July 2024
This past June the Kossuth County Conservation Board (KCCB) completed a bioretention cell at Smith Lake just south of the nature center. The project was constructed by Reutzel Excavation and the KCCB staff. The purpose of the bioretention cell is to filter the storm water runoff from the parking area before it enters Smith Lake. The biocell is approx. 2,300 square feet in size and has multiple layers of materials. The materials include washed rock, rock chips, modified soil, wood chips and plant material to filter the runoff. The plant material included over 900 prairie plant plugs planted by KCCB staff. After the storm water from the parking lot enters the biocell, it is filtered through these layers before entering Smith Lake. The filtering system removes many of the nutrients, pollutants and sediment before it reaches the lake.
Funding for this project came from a variety of sources. Major funding was provided through a cost-share grant from the Urban Water Quality Initiative grant which is administered through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Additional partners providing funding included the Iowa DNR Lake Restoration Program, the Water’s Edge Nature Center Foundation, private donations and the KCCB. Be sure to stop out at the nature center and view this unique new feature.
Environmental Education Staff Receives Award April 2024
Naturalists Billie Wille and Julie Fosado were presented with an award for Excellence in Environmental Education from the Iowa Association of Naturalists (IAN) and the Iowa Conservation Education Coalition (ICEC). The award is for 2023 Outstanding Environmental Education for an organization with two or less naturalists. Congratulations Naturalists!
Nature Center Parking Lot Receives a Facelift October 2023
This past fall the Water’s Edge Nature Center gravel parking lot received a major upgrade with the hard surfacing of the entire parking lot and entrance lane. The entire project was funded by the Water’s Edge Nature Center Foundation (WENCF). The WENCF was the beneficiary in the estate of Lavon Lindhorst. Lavon and her husband Ralph were early supporters of the construction of the nature center and the opportunities it would provide Kossuth County residents. Their love of nature brought them to Smith Lake frequently to watch birds during migration and to check on the success of fisherman. The first big project, as requested in her will was to hard surface the nature center parking lot. The WENCF and KCCB were pleased to honor her request. The end result is a wonderful asphalt parking lot for visitors and staff to utilize when visiting the nature center.
Hunter Education Field Day
September 2022
On September 17th, the KCCB sponsored a Hunter Education Field Day, which was held at the Ikes facility across from Smith Lake. Students learned about Iowa hunting laws and regulations and also had the opportunity to shoot a shotgun and .22 rifles. All 22 students attending passed the course and can now purchase their own hunting license. Thanks to the Hunter Ed Volunteers and Ikes staff for making this class a success.
Above: Students learn how to safely cross a fence with a firearm.
Above: Students practice shooting clays with shotguns.
Above: Target shooting with .22 rifles
Patterson Wildlife Area Wetland Enhancement
March 2022
Last November two habitat improvement projects were completed at the Patterson Recreation and Wildlife Area east of Burt to enhance the wetland habitat.
One enhancement project consisted of repairing 3,175 feet of an existing dike on the east side of the East Fork of the Des Moines River. The dike creates a wetland basin of about 56 acres. The original dike was over 25 years old and had deteriorated due to recent flooding and animal damage. Improvements to the dike included hauling in 5,700 cubic yards of dirt to widen the top and stabilizing the slopes. In addition, rat wire was installed to minimize future animal damage, revetment stone was placed on critical erosion areas and the two existing water control structures were stabilized. This upgraded dike will now allow for the management of water levels to promote beneficial wetland plants. This will provide optimum brood cover for waterfowl in the spring and summer as well as loafing areas in the fall. In the winter, the rushes and cattails located within the basin provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
The second wetland enhancement project on the area involved the creation of a small wetland basin of around one half of an acre on the west side of the river. This spring both the west wetland basin and dike were seeded with native grasses and smartweed. This seeding will provide both food and cover for a variety of wildlife once established.
The contractor for the project was Erpelding Excavating Enterprise from Algona. A Wildlife Habitat Stamp Development Grant from the Iowa DNR provided major funding for this project. The “Partners for Wildlife” program administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also provided materials, technical assistance and grant funds for the project.
Above: Installing the rat wire on the side slope of the dike
Above: Revetment installed to prevent erosion from flooding
Above: Stabilized water control structure
Above: Wetland created on the west side of the river
New Rock-faced Fishing Jetty
November 2021
This past summer the Kossuth County Conservation Board added a new rock-faced jetty at the east shore of Smith Lake near the boat ramp. The jetty is approximately 15 feet wide and extends 75 feet out into the water. The new jetty will provide excellent fish habitat with the rock providing spawning areas as well as escape cover. This area is also a popular fishing location and will provide shoreline anglers another fishing opportunity. Reutzel Excavating of Burt constructed the project. The majority of funding for the project was provided through a Fish Habitat Stamp Grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Be sure to check it out the next time you are at the lake!
Sugar Shack Renovation
November 2020
This past fall renovations were completed at the Cozy Grove Sugar Shack located at the Smith Wildlife Area. The original rustic shack was constructed by Slim Smith and his friends in 1949 and first used for the maple syrup operation in the spring of 1950. For the past 70 years it has served as the headquarters for the maple syrup operation. Over the years, time and weather had taken its toll on the structure and major improvements were required to continue using the facility for the annual maple syrup operation.
The renovation included tearing down the existing building and starting over. Before demolition began, the original siding (side walls), which contained the historic handprints and dates, were first carefully labeled and removed by KCCB staff member Ryan Schmidt.
The new building constructed by Hjelmeland Builders, Inc. includes a concrete foundation, concrete floor and concrete stub walls. The foundation and stub walls were features that had not been present on the old structure, but were included in the renovation to add longevity and stability to the new shack. The wooden portion of the shack was constructed to replicate the original. Features on the newly constructed shack included 2”x 6” framed walls and roof trusses, red cedar siding with two-inch battens on the exterior walls, corrugated steel on the roof and a new triple lined chimney. All the windows and the entrance door on the new shack were constructed in the same location and have the same dimensions as the original shack. The original siding pieces, which include the historic handprints and dates will be placed back on the interior walls of the building at a later date.
Following completion of the project, the Hjelmeland Family informed the Conservation Board that the entire cost of the project would be donated. Kossuth County board members and staff were surprised and thrilled to receive this generous donation. The Conservation Board extends a heartfelt thank you to the Hjelmeland family.
Original Cozy Grove Sugar Shack build in 1949 by Slim Smith and his buddies.
Michael and John Hjelmeland stand in front of the completed New shack in Fall 2020.
