Most People Don’t Know About The Mysterious Islands That Popped Up In A Washington Lake
Lake Union is one of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks. Washingtonians enjoy boating on it, living on it (in houseboats) and picnicking by it at Gasworks Park. But many people are unaware that this large lake has its own special mystery — an island once emerged here overnight. And months later, it happened again.
The lake is about 571 square acres in total. It was named by Thomas Mercer, who correctly predicted that canals would eventually connect Lake Washington and Puget Sound in a "union of waters."
But in 1962, this naturally occurring phenomenon surprised and baffled everyone.
The island was made of mud and clay and measured six feet by eight feet.
The island soon disappeared as quickly as it came.
This time, it was the Army Corps of Engineers who stepped in to investigate. They declared that the dumping of fill from the construction of I-5 was causing all the water displacement. However, even after they stopped the dumping, the island would occasionally make an appearance.
The lake is beautiful and peaceful, but it's also mysterious.
Did you know about Lake Union’s islands? Washington is full of strange tales.
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Address: Lake Union, Seattle, WA, USA
