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Lake Washington

Washington · Natural · near Seattle

21,500 acres 214 ft deep 12 ft clarity Water C
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6.4SCORE
Survey summary · Washington
21,500
Surface acres
214 ft
Max depth
50 mi
Shoreline
12 ft
Typical clarity
20 ft
Elevation

Lake Washington covers 21,500 acres in Washington and drops to 214 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Municipal rules. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Deep water — 214 ft max
  • Boating
  • Sailing

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 6.5
Recreation 7.2
Value 3.5
Access 7.3
Investment 7.3

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Cutthroat troutSmallmouth bassSockeyePerch

On the water

BoatingSailingRowingSeaplanes
No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 89 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 535 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 214 ft max avg 68 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 214 ft, average 68 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown2 ft Drawdown seasonNone Trophic stateMesotrophic Typical clarity12 ft Water quality gradeC Elevation20 ft Managing authorityKing County

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityWA DNR Aquatic Lands Wake / speed rulesNo-wake within 100ft
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with WA DNR Aquatic Lands that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Municipal rules

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$570,000
Median waterfront
$5,667
Per shoreline foot
+2.0%
Year over year
320
Est. inventory
145
Avg days on market
$401
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy55% Booked nights / yr145 Gross revenue$66,317 Net operating income$30,830 Yield on median price5.41%
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What a median-priced home on Lake Washington actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$4,786
All-in per month
$130,930
Cash to close + setup
$13,010
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$57,428 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $36,039 (64%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $6,270 (11%) Property taxes $5,985 (11%) Utilities $2,700 (5%) Hazard insurance $2,394 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (1%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$36,039
Property taxes$5,985
Hazard insurance$2,394
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$6,270
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$57,428
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