• Ames Lake has fairly clear water, with low nutrient concentrations and low algal growth.
• Ames Lake has experienced considerable variation from year to year. Overall, chlorophyll concentrations have been increasing and the N:P ratio has been decreasing indicating the increased potential for algal blooms to be dominated by cyanobacteria (which have the ability to produce toxins).
• No algal blooms were reported for toxin testing in 2023.
• Continue to monitor nearshore plants to catch purple loosestrife, a regulated Class B noxious weed that has been identified near Ames Lake. If spotted, notify the King County Noxious Weeds Program.
This bathymetric map shows contour lines of equal depth, similar to a topographic map would for mountains and valleys. The red 'X' marks the location where water quality samples are taken.
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.
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).
