[1] Lacamas Creek was first dammed in 1883 for a paper mill—the first to be constructed in Washington Territory.

It was replaced by a pair of concrete dams at the southwest end of Round Lake that raised the water level by 12 feet (3.7 m); a diversion tunnel was also constructed to supply the mill with more water.

[2][3] The lake and its surrounding area remained under the control of the mill, which was acquired by Crown Zellerbach in 1925.

The company donated 298 acres (121 ha) around Lacamas Lake and Round Lake to the Clark County government in 1963 for the creation of a new park, later named Lacamas Park.

[2][4] The two lakes were stocked with various species of fish, but they were unable to survive the oxygen-depleted environment created by the high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and fecal coliform bacteria that had been produced by nearby dairies and septic tanks.