Lake Bellevue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Bellevue |
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Lake Bellevue and the Downtown Bellevue skyline, seen from the east
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 Lake Bellevue
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Bellevue
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bellevue, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°37′12″N 122°10′54″W / 47.62000°N 122.18167°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 141 ft (43 m) |
Lake Bellevue, also known as Lake Sturtevant, is a small lake located right inside the city of Bellevue, Washington. It's one of three small lakes within the city limits, alongside Phantom Lake and Larsen Lake. Bellevue also borders the much larger Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish.
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Discover Lake Bellevue
Lake Bellevue is a cool natural spot in the middle of a busy city. It's a great example of how nature and city life can exist side by side.
What is Sturtevant Creek?
Sturtevant Creek starts at Lake Bellevue. This creek flows into Kelsey Creek. It's special because it's home to different types of salmon, including Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho salmon. Chinook salmon are an endangered species, which means they are at risk of disappearing forever.
The area around the creek, called its basin, is about 773 acres. A big part of this area, about 71%, is covered by "impervious surfaces." This means surfaces like roads and parking lots that water cannot soak into. This can affect the water quality in the creek and lake.
Who was Clark Merrill Sturtevant?
The lake is named after an early settler named Clark Merrill Sturtevant. He was a veteran of the United States Civil War. He made his home here in 1872, long before Bellevue became a big city.
Getting Around Lake Bellevue
The area around Lake Bellevue has changed a lot over the years, especially with new transportation projects.
Trains and Light Rail Near the Lake
- In 1904, tracks for the Northern Pacific Railroad were built near the lake.
- Today, part of this old railroad path is being used for a new project called the East Link Extension. This is a light rail system that will help people travel around the region.
- The Wilburton station is a new light rail stop being built near the west side of the lake.
- The Spring District is a new neighborhood development. It will have its own light rail station, the Spring District/120th station, about half a mile (one kilometer) from the lake's northeastern shore. These new stations will make it easier for people to visit the lake and the surrounding areas.
