Portage Bay

Did the shimmering waters of Portage Bay always flow so freely? No. Portage Bay, nestled between Lake Union and Lake Washington, wasn’t always a bay. Before the ship canal, it was a vital portage route. Imagine, in 1913, a bustling isthmus where loggers hauled timber overland between Union Bay and Lake Union. This arduous task gave Portage Bay its name. This “portage” was essential for the timber industry. Logs couldn’t float between the lakes until 1883 when David Denny and Thomas Burke finally had a canal built. But even before that, a determined Harvey Pike attempted a ditch in 1860. He failed, but his land became the foundation of the Lake Washington Ship Canal Company’s rail line, which transported goods between the lakes until 1878. Today, the University Bridge and the Portage Bay Viaduct elegantly span the bay. Beneath them, the waters now connect seamlessly to Lake Washington through the Montlake Cut and to Lake Union westward. Look around. The shores of Portage Bay are now home to two prestigious yacht clubs: the Seattle Yacht Club and the Queen City Yacht Club. Numerous houseboats dot the shoreline, creating a unique waterfront community. And did you know that this tranquil bay is also a center for scientific discovery? The Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the University of Washington’s College of Ocean and Fishery Science call Portage Bay home. From a busy portage route to a serene waterway, Portage Bay’s transformation mirrors Seattle’s own growth and evolution.