Lake Cushman

Lake Cushman
Lake Cushman and Hood Canal, as viewed from the summit of Mt. Ellinor
Location	Mason County, Washington, United States
Coordinates	47°28′48″N 123°15′0″W
Lake type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Skokomish River
Primary outflows	Skokomish River
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	8.64 mi (13.90 km)
Max. width	1.10 mi (1.77 km)
Surface area	4,010 acres (1,620 ha)
Settlements	Lake Cushman

Lake Cushman is a 4,010-acre (16.2 km²) lake and reservoir on the north fork of the Skokomish River in Mason County, Washington. The lake originally was a long narrow broadening of the Skokomish River formed in a glacial trough and dammed by a terminal moraine from the last ice age, during the Vashon stade.

The lake was expanded after construction of the Cushman Dam No. 1. The lake is maintained by this dam and provides electrical power to the Tacoma Power system.

As a popular retreat for hiking, fishing, boating and kayaking, Lake Cushman's shoreline is dotted with resorts and rental cabins. The lake is notable for its beautiful crystal clear blue water and the huge round rocks surrounding it, as well as thick stands of hemlock, fir and cedar trees.

Lake Cushman was named in honor of Orrington Cushman, who served as interpreter for Governor Isaac Stevens during the Treaty of Point Elliott negotiations with Puget Sound Natives in 1854.

Panoramic image of Lake Cushman, 5000 feet below, as viewed from the summit of Mount Ellinor on a summer afternoon.

Lake Cushman with stumps showing changing water levels

External links

• Lake Levels and River Flows, Cushman Project Settlement, Tacoma Power
• Lake Cushman on the Official Tourism Web Site for Mason County
• Photograph of Lake Cushman circa 1899 from the Lick Observatory Records Digital Archive, UC Santa Cruz Library's Digital Collections