Seattle's Lake Union
Aerial view of Lake Union (center). Mt. Rainier is in the background. Lake Washington is to the left, and Puget Sound on the right. Photo courtesy Jelson25 and Wikimedia Commons.
Seattle, a city known for its water location, has salt water Puget Sound to the west and fresh water Lake Washington to the east.
Between them lies a natural freshwater feature, Lake Union, a fascinating body of water that is tied to both its adjacent waters by the manmade Lake Washington Ship Canal, with locks, which allows vessels to move across the city.
For many visitors to Seattle their first view of Lake Union is from the Space Needle. Photos courtesy Dr. John A. Kirchner.
Lake Union occupies a basin created by the extinct Vashon glacier. It was formed about 12,000 years ago, and thus, in geological time, is a fairly modern creation of the post Pleistocene (Ice Age).
For many tourists, their first view of Lake Union is from the Space Needle. Located close to downtown Seattle, a modest walking distance or an easy ride by streetcar, the lake offers a dynamic that makes it a great place for visitors.
Some folks, however, are surprised to learn that swimming is not recommended, which is because this clean lake is such a busy place, with boats and aircraft constantly coming and going.
The south end of the lake from water level aboard a float plane with a good view of the Seattle Museum of History & Industry.
This dynamic is one of the things that makes it so interesting to visit. The view from the air or from adjacent hilly neighborhoods is dramatic. One can hike or bike a scenic 6.4 mile loop trail around the lake and discover a great variety of attractions —parks, museums, pubs, restaurants, craft shops, bike rental shops, and docks for everything from fishing boats to aircraft.
Houseboats abound at certain points around the lake. The floating residences are very attractive, and one was used in filming the 1993 romantic comedy, Sleepless in Seattle. Photos courtesy Dr. John A. Kirchner.
Aircraft
Yes, aircraft! Lake Union is home to several floatplane operators, the largest of which is Kenmore Airlines, a carrier in business since 1946. Its high wing six-passenger DeHavilland Beavers and ten-passenger DeHavilland Turbo-Otters can take you on short, but stunning flightseeing trips over Seattle, or on longer flights over Puget Sound to the beautiful San Juan Islands and even to Canada.
A Kenmore Air Dehavilland Turbo Otter, a 10-passenger turboprop used throughout the Puget Sound region. At the Kenmore Air dock, South Lake Union.
Even if you don’t fly, just watching the float planes take off and land on Lake Union is a reward in itself. A favorite to look for is a Turbo-Otter painted as an Orca (Killer Whale).
Painted as an Orca (Killer Whale), a Kenmore Turbo Otter approaches the airline dock.
Boat Traffic Conjestion
Boat traffic on the lake can be intense, with everything from kayaks to deep sea fishing boats, and some bigger vessels, like tugs, barely squeeze through the canal locks. Boat rentals and water tours are available, and one sees kayaks, small boats, sailboats and yachts enjoying the calm waters. At the south end is 12.0 acre Lake Union Park, the Center for Wooden Boats, and the Museum of History & Industry.
Docks, dry docks, and larger commercial vessels, including tugs. Interstate 5 can be seen in the middle background.
At the north end is 19.1 acre Gas Works Park, the location of a former gasification plant that dates from 1906. The park, with its rust colored relic, is a favorite with locals.
An aerial view of Gas Works Park at the north end of Lake Union. Built in 1906, the former gasification plant is today the heart of a vast open space which is favored by locals for recreational use, or simply for relaxing.
Lake Union is a beehive of interesting activities. Many of its functions are industrial, with dry docks and boat repair facilities, but right next to these one can find house boats and quaint residential neighborhoods, the latter often on steep hills with super views of the lake.
A sailboat near South Lake Union, with cityscape in background.
The great variety of things to see and do makes Lake Union a special place, attractive to residents and visitors alike. It is an artist’s pallet, yet does not have the feel of a tourist venue and that is exactly why many visitors give it five stars.
Ron Judd, Seattle Times writer, so nicely sums it up: “It is controlled chaos …one of the most simultaneously chaotic and calming urban bodies of water anywhere in North America. The lake we all take for granted -- a rare intersection of recreation, residences, parklands, heavy industry and (yes!) nature….”
For more information, visit https://visitseattle.org
About the Author:
Dr. John A. Kirchner is professor emeritus of Geosciences from California State University, Los Angeles. An inveterate traveler and photographer, he specializes in the geography of transportation systems, including airlines, marine transport, and railroads.