Lake Steilacoom
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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 11 feet and a maximum depth of 20 feet. 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 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 lake was known as Lake Wyatchew prior to the dam's installation, and was briefly known later as Byrd's lake.
