Lake Hancock (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Hancock |
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 Lake Hancock
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Hancock
Location in the United States
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| Location | Whidbey Island, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48°06′43″N 122°35′20″W / 48.11194°N 122.58889°W |
| Type | lagoon |
| Surface elevation | 3 feet (0.91 m) |
Lake Hancock is a special place on Whidbey Island in Washington. It's a large area of water, about 200 acres big. This unique spot is both a lagoon and an estuary. An estuary is where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water.
Many people consider Lake Hancock to be the best-preserved estuary on Whidbey Island. It sits in Greenbank, Washington, almost cutting the island in half. The lake is very close to Admiralty Inlet on the west side of the island. It's also less than a mile from Saratoga Passage on the east side.
History of Lake Hancock
Lake Hancock has an interesting past. From 1943 to 1971, the United States Navy used the area for training. It was part of the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Cleanup Efforts
Because of its past use, the area around Lake Hancock needed special attention. The Washington State Department of Ecology calls it the "Lake Hancock Munitions Response Site." This means it's a place where old materials from its past use might be found.
In 2006, a big cleanup happened. Workers removed about 120 tons of old, unwanted materials from the lake. Helicopters helped carry these items away. The Navy also held meetings in 2016 to talk about any further cleanup that might be needed. These efforts help keep Lake Hancock a healthy and safe place for everyone.
