During the Vashon Glaciation a series of lakes formed along the southern margin of the Cordilleran Ice Cap.

As the glacier receded northward, this freshwater lake grew in size, until the ice was north of the Clifton channel.

As the glacier receded northward, a lower outlet at Clifton, opened into Lake Russell at Cases Inlet (North Bay)[1] Lake Hood The second and lower stage of this water body formed when the ice was far enough north to open the Clifton outlet.

The Clifton channel ends in the forest west of Allyn, 160 feet (49 m) above tide, corresponding with the dominant water plane of Lake Russell.

If the ice dam causing Lake Russell remained effective during the next few miles of retreat, as there is good reason for believing, Lake Russell levels obtained in Hood Canal with broad connection across the low northern tip of Kitsap County peninsula, a few miles north of the Poulsbo channel.

The valley of Quilcene River has a long gravel slope gradually descending from levels above Lake Russell to tidewater.

[1] The second and lower stage of this water body formed when the ice was far enough north to open the Clifton outlet.