One trail headed for See SAHLH tub calmed down a little. Today, it is known as Haller Lake. Welcome to this placid Seattle treasure. Though smaller than Lake Union or Lake Washington, Haller Lake possesses its own unique charm.
Haller Lake and its neighborhood offer a quiet retreat. Despite its tranquility, it is close to retail centers such as Northgate Mall. Haller Lake sits conveniently between I-5 and Highway 99.
The lake got its name from Theodore N. Haller. He platted the neighborhood back in 1905. Theodore’s father, Granville O. Haller, was an early Seattle settler. He was an army officer with a large estate.
Haller Lake has a rich history dating back to the Ice Age. A retreating glacier left a block of ice. This ice melted and formed the depression that became Haller Lake.
The lake’s Lushootseed name is sisa’ct’b. It means calmed down a little. The lake served as a hunting ground. It was a refuge for the Shilshole people. They sought shelter from raids by northern tribes like the Tlingit and Haida. Early Europeans called it Welch Lake. This was after John Welch, a British immigrant, claimed it in the 1880s.
Haller Lake spans 15 acres. Its maximum depth reaches 36 feet. The water volume totals 247 acre feet. The shoreline is mostly private. There are two public access points. One is at Meridian Avenue N. The other is at N. 125th Street, featuring a small park.
The lake’s drainage area is about 280 acres. Water flows out through an outlet on the west side. This outlet drains into Lake Union.
The Haller Lake neighborhood extends to N. 145th Street to the north. Shoreline lies beyond this boundary. N. Northgate Way marks the southern border, with Licton Springs beyond. State Route 99 forms the western edge. Bitter Lake is to the west. Interstate 5 is to the east. Jackson Park is located beyond.
Within the Haller Lake neighborhood, you’ll find Northacres Park. This large park sits east of the lake. Ingraham High School is north of the lake. Lakeside School is in the northeast corner. Northwest Hospital & Medical Center is southwest of the lake.
The Haller Lake Community Club formed in 1922. It was originally the Haller Lake Improvement Club. The club features a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. It was installed in 1969.
Volunteer monitoring of Haller Lake occurred from 1997 through 2008. The data showed good water quality. The lake was lightly colored. It had moderate primary productivity. Thermal stratification was stable in summer. Sedimentary phosphorus release increased deep water concentrations. Nitrogen to phosphorus ratios hovered around 20 to 1. This can favor bluegreens. Toxic algae have not been identified here to date.
Haller Lake has two public access street ends. Boats can be launched by hand. Residents watch for aquatic plants. They look for early infestations of Eurasian milfoil or other noxious weeds.
One trail led to cranberry bogs. These bogs were at the Denny swamp. Another trail ran to Bitter Lake’s strawberries. Haller Lake offered refuge from slave raiders. Stone projectile points confirm it was a hunting camp.
Today, Haller Lake remains a serene escape. It is a place where history and nature intertwine. Take a moment to appreciate its calm waters and peaceful surroundings.