Black Lake (Washington)

Black Lake
Black Lake in August 2023
LocationNear Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater
Coordinates46°59′32.5″N 122°58′40.86″W / 46.992361°N 122.9780167°W / 46.992361; -122.9780167[1]
TypeLake
River sourcesBlack River
Ocean/sea sourcesPacific Ocean
Surface area573.7 acres (232.2 ha)
Average depth19 feet (5.8 m)
Max. depth29 feet (8.8 m)
Water volume11,000 acre-feet (14,000,000 m3)
Shore length16 miles (9.7 km)
Surface elevation130 ft (40 m)
Settlements
ReferencesGeographic Names Information System: 1503407[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Black Lake is a lake located 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Olympia, Washington.[2] With a surface area of 570 acres (2.3 km2) and total volume of 11,000 acre-feet (14,000,000 m3), it is one of the largest lakes in Thurston County.[3]

The lake has two outflows: via the Black River, which drains southwest into the Chehalis River, thence to Gray's Harbor and the Pacific Ocean; and Percival Creek, which drains northeast into Capitol Lake, Budd Inlet and Puget Sound.[4]

The lake's mean depth is 19 feet (5.8 m), with a maximum depth of 29 feet (8.8 m), and it has approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) of shoreline.[3]

Black Lake was so named on account of the dark character of its water.[5]

History

One of the first settlers of the area was William Oaks Thompson[6] (a.k.a. Black Lake Thompson),[7] arriving from Cincinnati and setting up a home on the west shore of the lake in 1852.[8][9] Thompson went on to develop the first road to Tumwater, a trail to Bush Prairie, and operated a scow ferry across the lake for travelers to Gate, Grand Mound, and Mima Prairie.[10]

In 1922, Black Lake Ditch was created to connect Black River to Percival Creek.[3][4][11] The straight ditch was constructed to help drain Black Lake and the surrounding wetlands.[12] The ditch was estimated to lower the lake's water level by at least 5 feet (1.5 m)[13] and drained agricultural parcels south of the lake.[14]

Ecology and environment

Ecology

Beaver dams on protected wildlife reserve parcels south of the lake restrict discharge and raise water levels by up to 4 feet (1.2 m), requiring regular county maintenance.[15] The principal submersed species is the native water nymph; non-native eurasian watermilfoil was largely eradicated in 2006.[3] Invasive plant species such as fragrant waterlily and yellow flag iris also restrict stream flow.[3]

In 2006, logjams were built in Black Lake Ditch and in the stormwater wetland, Black Lake Meadows, near Mottman Industrial Park. Using trees and root balls that were removed from a local road project, the logjams were to help increase the migration and spawning grounds for coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.[12]

Environment

The lake is considered eutrophic and requires ongoing herbicide treatment, including the use of aluminium sulfate, glyphosate, imazapyr, triclopyr, and diquat dibromide.[16] Filtered runoff gathered at Yauger Park water retention ponds in West Olympia is released into Black Lake Ditch. The naturally cleaned waters run from Percival Creek to Capitol Lake and eventually into the Salish Sea.[17]

In September 2000, a significant algae bloom of Aphanizomenon and/or Anabaena cyanobacteria covered the western portion of the lake, restricting recreation activity. Smaller blooms took place in 1992 and 1994, and again in October 2011. In September 2011, microcystin was discovered at the lake, at a concentration requiring an advisory to avoid contact with lake water;[3] and again in 2021.[18]

In 2021, a survey of local pollution discovered three streams which introduced effluent from nearby septic systems into the lake. Thurston County officials inspected more than 500 parcels which drain to the lake; 200 septic systems in the area were overdue on required maintenance.[15]

Recreation

The lake's freshwater beach is accessible through Kenneydell Park, which offers a public dock, picnic and swimming areas. The 41-acre (17 ha) public park features over 1,000 feet (304.8 m) of waterfront.[19][20]

Thurston County maintained an undeveloped 41-acre (17 ha) parcel on the western shore of Black Lake known as Guerin Park. Purchased by the county in 1976, the site contained an 1,800 foot (550 m) shoreline. Development of the grounds was prevented due to wetland areas throughout the acreage. The Tumwater Historical Society proposed a museum at the site, focusing on the historical pioneer roots around the region. The build of a rowing club was also proffered.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Black Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  2. ^ "Lowland lakes". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Black Lake Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan" (PDF). The Black Lake Special District. August 2012. pp. iii, 2, 3, 5. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Black River / Chehalis Watershed". Capitol Land Trust. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  5. ^ "Thurston County Place Names: A Heritage Guide" (PDF). Thurston County Historical Commission. 1992. p. 6. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "Washington Territory Donation Land Claim Patents, 1851-1903 - Thompson - William - Oaks". Washington State Archives. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  7. ^ "City and Country". Washington Standard. July 23, 1909. p. 3. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  8. ^ "Thurston County Pioneers - William O. Thompson". Washington Rural Heritage. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  9. ^ "Deaths of Past Week - William O. Thompson". Washington Standard. August 17, 1917. p. 8. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  10. ^ Markham, John (March 31, 1998). Memories, Oral history of the Black Lake area, Thurston County, Washington, USA, ca. 1850 to 1950. p. 2.
  11. ^ "Black Lake Basin Study". Thurston County. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Allen, Chester (September 12, 2006). "Logjams give salmon safe spot to spawn". The Olympian. p. 6D. NewsBank 1143F53558B96050. Retrieved August 27, 2025 – via NewsBank.
  13. ^ "Percival Creek Gets Water Flow from Black Lake". Washington Standard. Washington State Library. April 8, 1921. p. 6. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  14. ^ "Black River Unit protects fragile and unique natural habitats and their wildlife". Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Black Lake Special District Newsletter" (PDF). The Black Lake Special District. July 2025. pp. 6–8. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  16. ^ "Black Lake Special District; Public Notice" (PDF). Olympia, WA: Black Lake Special District. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  17. ^ Susan McCleary; Jessica Sandoval; Max Lambert; Claire Kerwin (Summer 2024). "Salamanders, Stormwater, and Skateboards: The Ecological Marvel of Yauger Park". Salish Magazine. No. 24. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  18. ^ Mathis, Meredith (October 21, 2021). "Toxic Algae Health Advisory in Effect for Black Lake". Thurston County, Washington. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "Kenneydell Park". Thurston County. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  20. ^ a b The Olympian staff (November 20, 2002). "Chart future of Guerin Park". The Olympian. p. A9. NewsBank 0F9931CD6CAED410. Retrieved August 27, 2025 – via NewsBank.
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