Lake Samish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Samish |
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 Lake Samish
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Samish
Location in the United States
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| Location | Whatcom County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48°40′N 122°23′W / 48.667°N 122.383°W |
| Primary outflows | Friday Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 276 ft (84 m) |
Lake Samish (/ˈsæmɪʃ/ SAM-ish) is a beautiful lake located south of Bellingham, Washington, in the United States. It's a popular spot for fun and relaxation, especially during the summer.
Lake Samish: A Fun Place to Explore
Lake Samish is easy to spot if you are traveling on Interstate 5 between Alger and Bellingham. It's on the west side of the highway. Many people from the local area love to visit the lake for summer activities.
The lake's edge is mostly covered with homes. This means there are houses all along almost the entire shoreline. To the south, Lake Samish is next to Blanchard Mountain. To the north, it borders Chuckanut Pass.
It can be a bit tricky to find public spots to get into the lake. However, Whatcom County has a park on the northern shore. This park has a simple boat launch where you can put small boats into the water.
History of Lake Samish
Long ago, before Europeans settled in the area, members of the Samish tribe lived around Lake Samish. They had settlements along the lake's shores.
Later, in 1873, the Northern Pacific Railway Company explored the Lake Samish valley. They were looking for a path to Bellingham Bay. Before that, trappers from the Hudson's Bay Company likely explored the area too.
The first Europeans to settle at Lake Samish were Charlie Barns and William Harris. They claimed land there in March and April of 1885. Charlie Barns settled on the east side of the lake, and William Harris on the west side.
In 1931, a new highway was built along the east side of the lake. This road connected Seattle to Vancouver. It became part of U.S. Route 99. This highway was later replaced by the modern Interstate 5.
Famous Faces Near the Lake
Did you know that a famous actress grew up near Lake Samish? Hilary Swank, who has won Academy Awards, spent some of her childhood here. She lived in a trailer park right next to the lake.
