Lake Tapps (Washington)

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Lake Tapps

Location	Pierce County, Washington
Coordinates	47°13′11″N, 122°10′19″WCoordinates: 47°13′11″N, 122°10′19″W
Lake type	reservoir
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	4.5 sq mi (12 km²)

Lake Tapps is a reservoir in Pierce County, Washington. It was created in 1911 and is maintained by Puget Sound Energy. A diversion dam on the White River, near Buckley, Washington, routes water into a flume which empties into the east side of Lake Tapps. On the west side of the lake water is routed to the "Dieringer Powerhouse" to generate hydroelectricity, after which the water is returned to the White River, about 20 miles downstream from the diversion dam. The level of the lake is lowered from September to May for flood control purposes, rendering it unusable for recreation for most of the year.

At the diversion dam on the White River there is a fish trap, which catch salmon migrating upstream. The fish are driven by truck and released upriver of Mud Mountain Dam, which blocks salmon migration. This technique is called a "trap and haul system".

Since the creation of Lake Tapps, housing developments have been built around it. Recently, Puget Sound Energy has considered shutting down the project as unprofitable. Local residents have organized efforts to maintain the lake as it is even if Puget Sound Energy leaves.

Lake Tapps is about 4.5 square miles in surface area and has about 45 miles of shoreline. The local terrain is such that the shape of the shoreline is very complex, with many inlets, peninsulas, and islands. Before the reservoir was created there were several smaller lakes, including one called Lake Tapps. The reservoir is held in place by a series of dikes. The lake is also known to hold many fish including carp, rainbow trout and tiger musky.

Lake Tapps is often considered its own city or census designated place; however, the area surrounding the reservoir is part of the city of Bonney Lake, Washington, which in turn is a separate city from Sumner, Washington.