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Lake Samish

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Coordinates: 48°40′N 122°23′W / 48.667°N 122.383°W / 48.667; -122.383
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Not to be confused with Lake Sammamish.
Lake Samish
Location of Lake Samish in Washington, USA.
Location of Lake Samish in Washington, USA.
Lake Samish
Location of Lake Samish in Washington, USA.
Location of Lake Samish in Washington, USA.
Lake Samish
LocationWhatcom County, Washington
Coordinates48°40′N 122°23′W / 48.667°N 122.383°W / 48.667; -122.383
Primary outflowsFriday Creek[1]
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface elevation276 ft (84 m)
Lake Samish aerial view from the west

Lake Samish (/ˈsæmɪʃ/ SAM-ish[2]) is a lake south of Bellingham, Washington, United States.

Visible to the west of Interstate 5 when travelling between Alger and Bellingham, Lake Samish is heavily used for recreation in the summer months by local residents. The lake shoreline is heavily developed and homesites cover almost the entire shoreline. Lake Samish is bordered on the south by Blanchard Mountain and on the north by Chuckanut Pass. Public access is limited but a Whatcom County park with a rough boat launch is located along the northern shore.

In pre-colonial days, members of the Samish tribe lived at sites on the lake. In 1873 the Northern Pacific Railway Company made a preliminary survey through the Lake Samish valley on the way to Bellingham Bay and Hudson's Bay Company trappers had also probably been through the area before that but the first Europeans to settle at Lake Samish were Charlie Barns and William Harris, who staked claims to 160 acres each in March/April 1885, Barns on the east side and Harris on the west side of the lake.[3][full citation needed] In 1931, a new highway connecting Seattle to Vancouver was constructed on the east side of the lake and designated part of U.S. Route 99.[4][5] This road was later replaced by Interstate 5.

Notable residents include Hilary Swank, who grew up on a trailer park next to the lake.

Lake Samish west part, panoramic view from Samish Day Lodge at Lake Samish County Park

References

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  1. ^ Arthur G. Larson (October 1988). "Domestic Water Withdrawals From Lake Samish" (PDF). Water Resources Publications. Washington State Department of Ecology. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  2. ^ "Lake Samish Reflections". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  3. ^ The Harris Journal
  4. ^ Washington State Highways (DjVu) (Map). Washington State Highway Commission. 1931. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  5. ^ Washington State Highways (DjVu) (Map). Washington Department of Highways. 1933. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
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