Lake Steilacoom
Encyclopedia
Lake Steilacoom is a reservoir
approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Tacoma
in Pierce County, Washington
, United States
. Its boundaries lie entirely within the city of Lakewood, Washington
. The reservoir covers approximately 53 acres (214,483.6 m²), has a mean depth of 11 feet (3.4 m) and a maximum depth of 20 feet (6.1 m). Lake Steilacoom is a freshwater lake and drains into Puget Sound
via Chambers Creek
, which begins at its northern tip. The lake is fed at its southeastern end by two creeks: Ponce de Leon Creek, which originates in springs below what is now Lakewood Towne Center
, as well as Clover Creek
which flows from its source near Frederickson
to the lake.
The reservoir was created in 1853 when Andrew Byrd built a dam across Chambers Creek, flooding what had previously been a small pond in a wetland. The dam was used for his sawmill (also built in 1853) and a grist mill
(100 yards downstream, in 1857). A public boat launch can be found on the eastern shore in Edgewater Park.
The smaller pond was known as Lake Wyatchew prior to the dam's installation, and was briefly known later as Byrd's lake.
The Rhodesleigh
mansion is located by the lake.
The placid lake is possessed by an evil female monster known as Whe-atchee. Legends of the creature attacking people go back over a century. To this day, Nisqually Indians refuse to fish or swim here.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
in Pierce County, Washington
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its boundaries lie entirely within the city of Lakewood, Washington
Lakewood, Washington
Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 58,163 at the 2010 census.-History:Lakewood was officially incorporated on February 28, 1996. Historical names include Lakewood Center and Lakes District...
. The reservoir covers approximately 53 acres (214,483.6 m²), has a mean depth of 11 feet (3.4 m) and a maximum depth of 20 feet (6.1 m). Lake Steilacoom is a freshwater lake and drains into Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
via Chambers Creek
Chambers Creek (Washington)
Chambers Creek is a creek in Washington.Chambers Creek was named for Thomas M. Chambers, who settled near Olympia, Washington in 1846 and later built a sawmill on the creek....
, which begins at its northern tip. The lake is fed at its southeastern end by two creeks: Ponce de Leon Creek, which originates in springs below what is now Lakewood Towne Center
Lakewood Towne Center
Lakewood Towne Center is a shopping center located in Lakewood, Washington, a suburb of Tacoma. Lakewood Towne Center was created when MBK Northwest bought and demolished the enclosed portion of the failing Lakewood Mall in 2001, and turned the site into an open air destination by creating four...
, as well as Clover Creek
Clover Creek (Washington)
Clover Creek is a creek in Pierce County, Washington. Clover Creek rises near Frederickson, flows through Spanaway and Parkland, is diverted under the main runway of McChord Air Force Base and Interstate 5, and into Lakewood, where it spills into Lake Steilacoom.Its drainage basin is . The creek...
which flows from its source near Frederickson
Frederickson, Washington
Frederickson is a census-designated place in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,758 at the 2000 census and has grown to 18,719 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Frederickson is located at ....
to the lake.
The reservoir was created in 1853 when Andrew Byrd built a dam across Chambers Creek, flooding what had previously been a small pond in a wetland. The dam was used for his sawmill (also built in 1853) and a grist mill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
(100 yards downstream, in 1857). A public boat launch can be found on the eastern shore in Edgewater Park.
The smaller pond was known as Lake Wyatchew prior to the dam's installation, and was briefly known later as Byrd's lake.
The Rhodesleigh
Rhodesleigh
Rhodesleigh, also known as the Rhodes Mansion, is a historic residence in Lakewood, Washington. Architects involved in its design included Ambrose J. Russell and Frederick Heath....
mansion is located by the lake.
The placid lake is possessed by an evil female monster known as Whe-atchee. Legends of the creature attacking people go back over a century. To this day, Nisqually Indians refuse to fish or swim here.
External links
- Lake Steilacoom Improvement Club, including history