Lake Steilacoom

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Steilacoom
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Pierce County, Washington
coords = coord|47.17|N|122.54|W|type:waterbody_region:US-WA|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow = Ponce de Leon Creek, Clover Creek
outflow = Chambers Creek
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|53|acre|abbr=on|lk=on
depth = convert|11|ft|abbr=on
max-depth = convert|20|ft|abbr=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =

Lake Steilacoom is a lake approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington, United States. Its boundaries lie entirely within the city of Lakewood, Washington. The lake covers approximately 53 acres, has a mean depth of convert|11|ft|m and a maximum depth of convert|20|ft|m. Lake Steilacoom is a freshwater lake and drains into Puget Sound via Chambers Creek, which begins at its northern tip. The lake is fed at its southeastern end by two creeks: Ponce de Leon Creek, which originates in springs below what is now Lakewood Towne Center, as well as Clover Creek which flows from its source near Frederickson to the lake.

The lake was created in 1853 when Andrew Byrd built a dam across Chambers Creek, flooding what had previously been a small pond in a wetland. The dam was used for his sawmill (also built in 1853) and a grist mill (100 yards downstream, in 1857). A public boat launch can be found on the eastern shore in Edgewater Park.

The smaller pond was known as Lake Wyatchew prior to the dam's installation, and was briefly known later as Byrd's lake.

External links

* [http://www.lakesteilacoom.com Lake Steilacoom Improvement Club] , including history
*PDF| [http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/0/bcfae38a8c193e608825673300019295/$FILE/Steilacoom.pdf EPA Report on Total Maximum Daily Loads for Phosphorus in Steilacoom Lake and Copper in Chambers Creek]