It is sometime confused with Early Lake Russell which covered the same area during a previous northward retreat of the glacier.

The glacier returned southward, then on its final retreat northward, the waters filing this basin are referred to as Lake Nisqually.

A rise in level to 180 to 200 feet (55 to 61 m) reflects the closure of the Black Lake outlet while the two deltas were still growing.

[1] The advance of the glacier sufficient to close the Black Lake outlet would turn the Nisqually River, and the drainage of the Steilacoom Plains across Chambers and Bush prairies.

The Clover Creek and South Tacoma channels remained in use, and the gravel plains adjusted grades to the 180 feet (55 m) level.