Silver Lake Dam

“A watery mirror reflecting the sky.” That’s one way to describe Silver Lake Dam, nestled here in Pullman, Washington. We’re standing on the very grounds that once held a vibrant part of Washington State University’s history. Before Mooberry Track existed, this area held Silver Lake, created by a small dam built in 1899. Imagine the scene: the young Washington Agricultural College and School of Science, just beginning to blossom, decided to harness the Sweetwater Valley’s natural spring. A stream trickled down from where Beasley Coliseum now stands, flowing down what is today Stadium Way, and continuing downhill past the current athletic buildings and soccer field. West of where Mooberry Track is now, a dam was erected, and Silver Lake was born, stretching over an acre and a half. Officially dubbed Silver Lake, students affectionately nicknamed it “Lake De Puddle,” and the surrounding dense foliage became known as the Tanglewoods. Silver Lake quickly became the heart of campus life. It provided ice for food preservation and possibly irrigation for the agricultural experiment station. But its real charm lay in its social role. Each autumn, the lake hosted the epic tug-of-war between sophomores and freshmen, the losers taking a ceremonial plunge into the water. Students boated on its surface, although fishing tales seem lost to time. The grassy shores transformed into stages for performances, capturing dancers against the backdrop of the water in numerous photographs. The Tanglewoods surrounding Silver Lake became a secluded haven for “fussing,” a discreet spot for romantic encounters away from watchful eyes. In winter, the shallow lake froze solid, creating a natural ice rink for skating and impromptu hockey matches. In 1914, during the annual “Campus Day,” students built a charming arched bridge connecting the two overlapping oval sections of the lake. But progress, as they say, waits for no lake. By 1927, the university set its sights on expanding athletic facilities. Silver Lake was drained, its watery expanse giving way to a baseball diamond, and finally, to the Mooberry Track we see today. So, as you jog around the track or cheer on the Cougars, remember the ghost of Silver Lake, a watery mirror that once reflected the youthful energy of a growing university.