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Lake Allen

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Vital Statistics

Watershed Area 230 acres
Lake surface area 11 acres
Maximum depth Not Available
Mean depth Not Available
Public Park N
Boat Ramp N
Fish Present Not Available

Overview

Volunteer monitoring began at Allen Lake in 1994 and continued through 2008, after which it was discontinued. Throughout that time the lake was strongly colored and consistently high in primary productivity (eutrophic), with fair water quality. There was a persistent downward trend in productivity from 1996 to 2008 that was strongly correlated.

Thermal stratification appeared stable through summer, and sedimentary phosphorus release increased deep water concentrations. Nitrogen to phosphorus ratios were often at or below 20:1, which can favor bluegreen algae in the plankton. No toxic blooms have been identified to date.

Allen Lake does not have a public access boat ramp. However, residents should watch aquatic plant populations to catch early infestations of Eurasian milfoil, Brazilian elodea, or other noxious aquatic weeds.

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Maps

bathymetric map lake watershed map
This bathymetric map shows contour lines of equal depth, similar to a topographic map would for mountains and valleys This map shows the area of the watershed relative to the area of the lake. Generally speaking, the larger a watershed is relative to a lake, the greater the influence land use practices on lake water quality

Click image to enlarge

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Water Quality Data  

Through a combination of efforts by volunteer lake monitors and King County staff, data relating to physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the lake have been collected for most lakes. The King County Lake Stewardship Program analyzes data to track long-term water quality trends in small lakes in western King County.

View or Download Data
Use this tool to view or download data from the lake in tabular format. You can define date ranges and select which parameters to view or download.

Chart Data
Use the charting tool to look at graphs showing single parameters for a single water year at a time.

Five year water quality trends
A common method of tracking water quality trends in lakes is by calculating the “trophic state index” (TSI) (Carlson, 1977). TSI indicators predict the biological productivity of the lake based on water clarity (Secchi) and concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll a (Chlor).

The average of these three TSI indicators during the growing season can be used to place lakes in one of three broad categories:
<40 = oligotrophic (low productivity),
40 to 50 = mesotrophic (moderate productivity)
>50 = eutrophic (highly productive).

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Related Links



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For questions about the Lake Stewardship Program or the contents of this page, please contact Sally Abella, 206-296-8382.

For questions about the
Water and Land Resources Web Site,
please contact
Fred Bentler, webmaster.

Updated: August 8, 2008

Related Information:

Lake Topics


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