Volunteer monitoring began at Haller Lake in 1997 and continued through 2008, when it was discontinued. The data indicated that this city lake (Seattle) was very lightly colored and moderate in primary productivity (mesotrophic), with good water quality that remained steady over time. Profile data suggest that thermal stratification was stable through summer, and sedimentary phosphorus release added to deep water concentrations. Nitrogen to phosphorus ratios hovered around 20:1, which can favor bluegreens over other species on occasion. However, toxic algae have not been identified to date.
Haller Lake has two public access street ends, where boats may be hand launched. Residents and lake users should keep a watch on aquatic plants growing nearshore to catch early infestations of Eurasian milfoil, Brazilian elodea, or other noxious weeds.
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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).
