Our website is changing! Starting March 31, 2023 our website will look different, but we're working hard to make sure you can still find what you need.  
King County logo
  1. Small lakes data and info
  2. Lake Information Page

Lake Information Page

Yellow Lake

Lake Photo Image
Go to another lake:

Vital Statistics

Watershed Area 257 acres
Lake surface area 10 acres
Maximum depth feet
Mean depth feet
Public Park No
Boat Ramp No
Fish Present

Overview

Yellow Lake was monitored in 2003- 2004, when it was discontinued. The data collected indicate that this lake is moderate to highly productive (threshold eutrophic) with good to fair water quality. The monitoring time span was not long enough to look at trends.

The lake was too shallow for profile sampling. Nitrogen to phosphorus ratios were generally above 20:1, which often favors other algae over bluegreens.

Yellow Lake has public access points, but no boat launch. However, lake users should keep a close eye on aquatic plants growing nearshore to catch infestations of Eurasian milfoil, Brazilian elodea or other aquatic noxious weeds.

Back to top

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. 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.

Click image to enlarge

Back to top

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.

Water quality over time
A common method of tracking water quality trends in lakes is by calculating the “trophic state index” (TSI) (Carlson, 1977) and testing the values for positive or negative trends over time. TSI indicators predict the biological productivity of the lake based on water clarity (Secchi) and concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll a (Chlor). Generally at least 8 years of data without major lake management activities are needed to have confidence in a significant trend.

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).

Back to top

Reports and Related Links



Back to top
For questions about lakes in King County, please contact lakes@kingcounty.gov or call the Water and Land Resources Division front desk at 206-477-4800.