Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-08-05

Correspondents 8. F. Chronicle
SEATTLE. July Is. 1883.

TmE LAKES BACK OF SEATTLE
Correspondence 8. F. Chronicle
SEATTLE. July Is, 1888.
Besides containing within its boun-
Diary one of the most magnificent bodies
of salt water in the world. Washington
Territory can boast of possessing a
number of beautiful lakes. Some are
quite small and several are of consider
able dimensions One of the largest
sheets of fresh water in the Territory is
Lake Washington, which lies only
about three miles east of Seattle. l. ing
contiguous to Lake Washington, and
almost IN the present city limits Of Sc
attic, is another and much smaller body
OF fresh vater-Lake Union. II is q
most romantic and enchanting sheet. II
y situated about one mile and a half
from the center of Seattle, nearly due
north. The lake can be said to b in
the suburbs OF the town, for the extreme
outskirts of Seattle have already reached
it Rravelly margin. Lake Union is
about one mile vide and nearly three
long. Its waters are clear and cold. and
abound in several varieties Of excellent
hsh. Originally this lake was literally
shut IN on all sides BY dense forest. The
steady encroachment Of the town and
the constant and increasing dem and for
lumber have resulted in deprivina the
shores OF the natural growth Of timber.
The lake extends north and south. At
the extreme northern end il branches
one toward Lake Washington ON the
east, and the other toward Duwamish
bay on the vest. From the end Of the
latter branch Q small creek empties its
sparkling waters into the Sound. The
distance from the source to the mouth
OF this stream Is only about one mile
and half. The eastern branch of the
lake approaches within one fourth OF a
mile of Lake Washington. Small as
Lake Union is, its depth is great. Free
quent and careful soundines have been
made. and the average depth is ssOer-
tanned to be about IS feet. The lake is
q popular resort fer fishina, pleasure,
and sailing parties.
CANAL PROJECTS.
A very feasible project has been held
In contemplation for several years with
reference to utilizing this lake and max
ing 1t subservs the interests of com-
merce. This scheme ia to out a deep,
vide canal from the lake to the bay.
The course Of the creek can easily be
followed. There are no natural obsta.
cles of a serious character to overcome.
the ground being quite level and the soil
soft and inclined to be swampy. The
actual length of the canal will be frac-
ton over one mile and half. The plan
includes the construction of locks
through which vessels Of all kinds can
pass from the bay up into the lake and
down again. Lake Union ia located
twelve feet above the level Of the Sound.
This will furnish ample fall to operate
the locks. 1t is also proposed to. cut a
similar canal from the eastern arm of
this lake to Lake Washington. Only
one quarter of a mile separates these
lakes. The soil is soft and free from
stones. The fall from Lake Washing
ton to Lake Union is about four feet.
Like the other canal looks are to be
built. Both routes have been surveyed
and estimates Of the cost of construc-
ton made. Competent and experienced
surveyors estimate that both canals can
be cut and locks built at an outlay not
exceeding $50. 600.
Should the plan be carried into effect,
the Oregon Improvement Company pro-
pose to pass their large steam GOLFERS
through the canals up into Lake WASH
lnRton. They can steam to within
three miles of the Newcastle coal mines
and also to within a short distance of
the henton DEAL discoveries. Steamers
and sailing vessels by this arrangement
can load with coal with little difficulty
and much less outlay than at present.
Now the GOAL is transported by cars to
the wharf at Seattle, and there dumped
from bunkers into vessels. Already q
contract has been let to open a canal
from Lake Union to Washington, and
work, It Is thobRht, will soon be CON-
menced. When this ID accomplished,
Seattle will practically stand ON an
island. Lake Union ia connected with
Underwater by creek. Cedar river
flows from Lake Washington into Du-
vanish river and the latter empties into
Duwamish bay, thus completing the
watery chain.
LAKE WASHINGTON.
No more lovely sheet can be found on
the Pacific coast than this body Of fresh
water. II Is nearly thirty miles long,
nearly due north and south
and ranges in width from one and
half to three miles. Lake Washington
lies directly east of Seattle, its western
shore approaching within three miles
OF tide-water. Practically the town and
lake join, or are separated by only q
slender strip Of land. The average
depth OF the water in this lake is so
feet. Its waters are not quite 30 clear
as those of Lake Union. Fish abound,
some varities of which are excellent
eating. Timber entirely surrounds this
lake, the deep green foliage Of the fir,
cedar, maple, willow and alder showing
In harmonizing contrast with the gray
ish blue tints of the water. On the
east side the shores rise rather steep
and are crowned with q dense growth
of forest. On the west the shores grad
ually shelve down to the margin and the
timber Is not 80 thick. In some places
there are short stretches of beautifully
pebsled beach, back from which are
handsome groves. There is a picnic
ground just north Of the road leading
from the town. Seats and q speakers
rostru q have been built, and also tem-
porary tables where luncheon can be
spread. The ground is in the midst of
q shady grove and commands most
giimpses of the white, pebblv
shore. blue water and the deep emerald
on the opposite bank. During the swell
tering days Of summer a more secluded,
delightful spot could not be chosen to
spend q few hours-even days. Near
the southern end rises Mercer Island.
II 10 high and densely wooded and al
most circular in form. With compare
lively small expense this lake could be
transformed into most attractive sum-
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