Before the construction of the Post Falls Dam in 1906 the water level of the lake was lower from what you see now. In those days there were Coeur d'Alene camps near here at Ch'mi'wes, the land between Round and Benewah or Chatcolet Lakes. Plentiful birch trees provided materials for the heavy canoe traffic and winter fuel. This locale offered protection from cold winter winds, springs on Pedee Creek, and, as at other places on the lake, more temperate days and nights. On the level higher ground at Sq'wedusmn ("face paint"), near Indian Cliffs, families planted extensive gardens, precursors to a later era's farm fields.
After the lake levels rose tribal men could be found here selling cord wood to the steamboats in winters between farm season. The frozen lakes afforded shortened travel routes for visiting relatives, favorite sites for tribal women ice fishing, and open water areas for duck and geese hunters.
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