Lake Steilacoom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Steilacoom |
|
|---|---|
 Lake Steilacoom
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Steilacoom
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°9′42″N 122°31′57″W / 47.16167°N 122.53250°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Ponce de Leon Creek, Clover Creek |
| Primary outflows | Chambers Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 306 acres (124 ha) |
| Average depth | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Max. depth | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
Lake Steilacoom is a freshwater lake located in Lakewood, Washington, Pierce County, Washington, United States. It's actually a reservoir, which means it's a lake that was created by people! This lake is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southwest of Tacoma.
The entire lake is within the city limits of Lakewood. Lake Steilacoom covers about 306 acres. It's usually around 11 feet deep, but it can be as deep as 20 feet in some spots. Water flows into Lake Steilacoom from two creeks: Ponce de Leon Creek and Clover Creek. The lake then drains into Puget Sound through Chambers Creek.
Contents
How Lake Steilacoom Was Formed
Lake Steilacoom wasn't always this big. Before 1853, it was a much smaller pond in a wetland area. This small pond was known as Lake Wyatchew.
Building the Dam
In 1853, a man named Andrew Byrd built a dam across Chambers Creek. This dam caused the water to flood the wetland, creating the larger lake we see today. Byrd used the dam to power his sawmill, which he also built in 1853. A few years later, in 1857, he built a grist mill (a mill for grinding grain) about 100 yards downstream, also powered by the dam. For a short time, the lake was even called Byrd's Lake after him!
Exploring Lake Steilacoom Today
Today, Lake Steilacoom is a popular spot. You can find a public boat launch on the eastern side of the lake, located in Edgewater Park. This is a great place to launch a boat and enjoy the water.
Nearby Landmarks
The historic Rhodesleigh mansion is also located right by the lake. It's a beautiful old building with a lot of history.
The Legend of Whe-atchee
The Nisqually Indians, who have lived in this area for a very long time, have a special legend about Lake Steilacoom. They say that this lake was once home to an evil female monster known as Whe-atchee.
A Creature of Legend
Stories about Whe-atchee attacking people have been told for over a century. Because of these old legends, many Nisqually people still choose not to fish or swim in Lake Steilacoom even today. It's a powerful part of their history and culture.
Images for kids
-
360° panorama of Lake Steilacoom as viewed from the Interlaaken Drive Bridge on a sunny July afternoon.
