D’Miller Lake Access

D’Miller Lake is an approximately five acre spring fed lake just to the south of the East West Greenway between Olympia and Lacey. The surrounding land was logged in the late nineteenth century and the first stage of development was complete by 1920. There were four houses built by that time and half of the frontage was owned by the D’Miller family, hence the lake’s name.

Development around the lake began again in the late seventies when the original landholders began to pass away and their heirs started subdividing and developing. That surge took about ten years to play out and little happened until the last couple of years. A five acre parcel adjoining the lake is has several houses already built but this new development has no frontage.

The lake is designated by Thurston County as a class two wetland, the next to the highest protection available. The existing residences are grand fathered in but any new activity should, in theory, happen under much stricter guidelines. Invasive non native plants are an issue as they are on the Greenway. Scotch Broom, Black Berries and Reed Canary Grass among the worst. The present owner of the property has planted many native shrubs and trees and made a start at the suppression of intrusive plants.

The lake is home to a wide variety of bird and animal life. Otters and Muskrats come and go. At least one Porcupine lives on the north side of the lake. The usual seasonal water birds breed and feed regularly. At least one pair of Wood Ducks nests yearly. Several families of quail dispute ownership of the upland areas and the various species of Blackbirds breed in masses in the prevalent Spiria along the shore. A cougar came through two years ago and the coyotes visit boldly.

The usual populations of Blacktail Deer and Western Hares live and graze here.  The frog population is still recovering from the Bullfrog infestations of the mid twentieth century and pond turtles can be spotted by a very quiet watcher. Several species of fish were planted by D’Miller at the turn of the century and still survive. A careful observer will spot the occasional large fresh water sponge.
 

The entire north half of the lake has been spared development by the present two owners. One of the owners is interested in having her parcel become the connection between the Greenway and the lake. The other owner is very supportive of such a plan.
 

This can be a jewel along the Greenway. Anyone who has stopped along the Chehalis Western Trail at the platform at Chamber’s Lake will be able to visualize what a special experience it would be at this place. The topography lends itself to an easy connecting trail gradient so that A.D.A. access should be easy to provide. There are enthusiastic adjacent residents so that the land will be under discrete observation. The site does not lend itself to easy motorized access so litter and vandalism are unlikely.
 

D'Miller Lake