Drainage off the north face of Mount Rainier and the melting ice of the glacier was trapped in the valley of the Puyallup River.

When the ice retreated further north, it was reduced in depth and volume and takes on the name of Lake Tacoma.

The divide between the future north-flowing rivers and the Nisqually was Lake Kapowsin at 595 feet (181 m) above sea level.

[1] The west side of the Puyallup trough stands about 550 feet (170 m) above sea level south of Orting to a 3 miles (4.8 km) north.

This remained the outflow until the glacier retreated further north, opening a new lower channel at Clover Creek.