How would you feel about owning your own lake? Lake Burien is a hidden gem. It lies just west of downtown Burien, Washington. This small lake played a key role in Burien’s early history. Homesteaders settled along its shores.
The lake’s name comes from Gottlieb and Emma Worm Burian. They were early settlers in the area. It is unclear how “Burian” became “Burien”. In the early 20th century, Lake Burien became a popular summer spot. People from Seattle flocked here. The Highland Park and Lake Burien Railway made it easier to visit in 1912.
Lake Burien covers 44 acres. Its maximum depth is 29 feet. The lake has a 660-acre watershed. This area extends north and south of the lake. It formed from the retreat of the Cordilleran ice sheet. Angle Lake and Bow Lake were also formed this way.
Now for the curious part. Lake Burien is publicly owned. But here is the kicker. It is entirely surrounded by private property. This means it is inaccessible to the public. Many locals are not happy about this. They believe everyone should enjoy this public resource. Lakefront property owners disagree. They say public access would hurt water quality.
In 2023, some residents wanted a lakefront park. They asked the city to buy land from the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center. The city said no. It is a complex issue. It balances public access with private property rights.
The last water quality report on Lake Burien was in 2004. It showed the lake was borderline mesotrophic or oligotrophic. This means it had moderate to low nutrient levels. But the lake has had problems with algal blooms. These blooms can affect water quality.
Burien itself has grown quite a bit. It incorporated in 1993. The city’s population has increased significantly since then. An annexation in 2010 added even more residents. Burien’s history stretches back to 1864. That is when George Ouellet bought land here. Gottlieb Burian arrived later in 1884. He helped form the community.
Today, Burien is a suburban city south of Seattle. It has a council-manager government. The city contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services. Burien also has a library. It is part of the King County Library System.
Lake Burien remains a point of contention. It is a beautiful spot. But its inaccessibility makes it a source of debate. Imagine owning a lake that you cannot access. A real head scratcher, isn’t it?