Waughop Lake
Encyclopedia
Waughop Lake is a lake
less than 1.6 km (1.0 mi) east of Steilacoom
in Pierce County, Washington
, United States
. The lake lies within Fort Steilacoom Park
, in the city of Lakewood, Washington
. Waughop Lake has a surface area of approximately 33 acres (133,546.4 m²) and a mean depth of 7 feet (2.1 m). The lake is fed by groundwater and has no surface drainage channels.
The lake is named after Dr. John Wesley Waughop, former superintendent of the Washington State Hospital for the Insane. The hospital, now known as Western State Hospital
, lies across from the park on Steilacoom Boulevard SW. The lake is circled by a 9/10 mile paved loop trail.
Waughop Lake is refilled with trout that, unless caught, die within a few weeks. One of the primary researchers of this lake, Michele La Fontaine, has done studies on the algae and dissolved oxygen content. The depth fluctuates about 2 ft a year, gaining 2 feet in winter and losing 2 feet due to evaporation. The algae is fed by nitrogen, supplied by the duck droppings which the lake has plenty of. There are serious algae blooms, and it is not advisable to come into contact with the water.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
less than 1.6 km (1.0 mi) east of Steilacoom
Steilacoom, Washington
Steilacoom is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,985 at the 2010 census. Steilacoom is on the coast of Puget Sound, on a branch not visible on the map to the right...
in Pierce County, Washington
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The lake lies within Fort Steilacoom Park
Fort Steilacoom Park
Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, Washington is the largest park in the city. The park includes Waughop Lake, an off-leash dog park, and several soccer fields and baseball fields. It is adjacent to Pierce College, historic Fort Steilacoom, and Western State Hospital.The area became a homesteader's...
, in the city of Lakewood, Washington
Lakewood, Washington
Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 58,163 at the 2010 census.-History:Lakewood was officially incorporated on February 28, 1996. Historical names include Lakewood Center and Lakes District...
. Waughop Lake has a surface area of approximately 33 acres (133,546.4 m²) and a mean depth of 7 feet (2.1 m). The lake is fed by groundwater and has no surface drainage channels.
The lake is named after Dr. John Wesley Waughop, former superintendent of the Washington State Hospital for the Insane. The hospital, now known as Western State Hospital
Western State Hospital (Washington State)
Western State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital located at 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood, Washington, which is a suburb of Tacoma. Administered by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services , it is the largest mental facility west of the Mississippi River, with 806 beds,...
, lies across from the park on Steilacoom Boulevard SW. The lake is circled by a 9/10 mile paved loop trail.
Waughop Lake is refilled with trout that, unless caught, die within a few weeks. One of the primary researchers of this lake, Michele La Fontaine, has done studies on the algae and dissolved oxygen content. The depth fluctuates about 2 ft a year, gaining 2 feet in winter and losing 2 feet due to evaporation. The algae is fed by nitrogen, supplied by the duck droppings which the lake has plenty of. There are serious algae blooms, and it is not advisable to come into contact with the water.