Gravelly Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gravelly Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Gravelly Lake
Location in Washington (state)
Gravelly Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°08′49″N 122°31′53″W / 47.1470°N 122.5313°W |
| Primary inflows | groundwater |
| Primary outflows | seepage |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Average depth | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Max. depth | 57 ft (17 m) |
| Water volume | 264,800,000 cu yd (202,500,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 2.1 mi (3.4 km) |
| Surface elevation | 220 ft (67 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Gravelly Lake is a beautiful lake located in Lakewood, a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. This lake is special because it gets its water from underground sources (groundwater) and doesn't have any rivers or streams flowing into or out of it on the surface.
Contents
Discovering Gravelly Lake
Gravelly Lake is known for its clear waters and peaceful surroundings. It's one of the main lakes in the Lakewood area.
How Gravelly Lake Got Its Name
Long ago, the native people who lived here called the lake Cook‑al‑chy. This name means "pond lily," likely because of the pretty water lilies that grew there. Later, settlers named it Gravelly Lake. This name comes from the lake's bottom, which is covered with gravel.
A Unique Water Source
Unlike many lakes that are fed by rivers, Gravelly Lake is mainly supplied by groundwater. This means water seeps up from underground. The lake also doesn't have any visible rivers or streams flowing out of it. Instead, water leaves the lake through seepage, which means it slowly soaks back into the ground.
Homes Around the Lake
The area around Gravelly Lake is known for its lovely homes and large properties. Many people enjoy living near the lake because of its quiet atmosphere and scenic views.
Public Access to the Lake
While Gravelly Lake is a private-feeling area, there are two spots that are legally considered public access points. However, these spots are not easy to use right now because they are overgrown with plants. This means it's hard for people to get to the lake from these points.
