Lake Youngs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Youngs |
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 Lake Youngs
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Youngs
Location in the United States
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| Location | King County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°25′11″N 122°7′27″W / 47.41972°N 122.12417°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 700 acres (280 ha) |
| Max. depth | 72 ft (22 m) |
Lake Youngs is a special kind of lake called a reservoir. It's located in King County, Washington, in the United States. This important body of water sits between the towns of Maple Valley and Renton.
Lake Youngs is a key part of the system that brings drinking water to the city of Seattle. Because it's so important for water supply, only staff from Seattle Public Utilities and people with special permission can visit it. This helps keep the water clean and safe for everyone.
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What is Lake Youngs?
Lake Youngs is a large, man-made lake. It covers an area of about 700 acres (2.8 km2). That's like 530 football fields! At its deepest point, the lake is about 72 feet (22 meters) deep. This is roughly the height of a seven-story building.
How Was Lake Youngs Created?
Before Lake Youngs existed, there was a smaller lake called Swan Lake. Swan Lake was about 548 acres (222 ha) in size. In the early 1920s, construction began to turn Swan Lake into the much larger Lake Youngs reservoir. This big project was finished by 1926.
The reservoir was named after L. B. Youngs. He was a very important person who used to lead the Seattle Water Department for a long time. He passed away in 1923, and the lake was named in his honor.
Why is Lake Youngs Important?
Lake Youngs plays a vital role in providing clean water. It stores water that comes from the Cedar River. This water then travels through pipelines all the way to Seattle.
Besides being a water source, Lake Youngs also helps pilots. Pilots flying into and out of Renton Municipal Airport use the lake as an easy-to-spot landmark. It helps them know where they are in the sky.
Where Does the Water Go?
Water also flows out of Lake Youngs. It drains into a stream called Little Soos Creek. This creek then continues its journey through the local area.
