It is rumored that when our forefathers settled this area, they discovered a lake like no other and appropriately named it “Sacheen Lake” Sacheen Lake” is a Salish Indian word loosely translated by early residents as “Beautiful Lake of Many Fallen Trees”.
Picture your astonishment –if you could transport back in time and see what they saw.
A lake littered with fallen Cedars and Conifers. Not only did the fallen trees and snags lie in the water along the shoreline, they also stood tall above the water throughout the lake.
For the early residents the dead fall and snags offered up many challenges, some easily seen and others not. For example, the simple task of fishing for one's dinner often ended in a losing contest of tug-a-war with the tenacles of a hidden snag. Or for the young and fool hearted, nothing beat the adrenaline rush of water skiing through nature’s most challenging “snag” slalom course.
Sacheen Lake Association is meant to be enjoyed; completely clear of everything except clear clean water. So the early residents’ waged war on the army of fallen trees, and one by one they cleared the lake, until they were left with only one battle to fight.
The last major battle was against a lone snag in the middle of the north end of the lake. This monster continually fought back Herculean efforts by groups of boaters to pull it loose from the bottom. In the end the old snag stood tall and was left as it was until it finally sank out of sight in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s.
The next time you’re enjoying the water of Sacheen Lake, remember the past and say a thank you to those who came before you—for they cleared the lake of trees and snags.
As in the past, Sacheen Lake still lives up to its name today - “Beautiful Lake of Many Fallen Trees”.
