The lake is essentially all open water, viewable from its surrounding berm, with some cattails at the northeast and southwest corners. The berm is a bit higher in elevation than the land located around the pond, particularly the baseball field on the south side. Partly as a result, except for the entrance drive, the park is ringed by marsh which can offer pleasant surprises during times when nearby hotspots are much less birdy. Though Pecos Arroyo runs along the west, the marsh southeast of the elm-shaded picnic area on your left as you enter the park tends to have the most water. Red-winged Blackbird will be found here.

In spring, summer, and fall, examine the elm, coyote willow, and dense brush east of the ball field for nesting Blue Grosbeak, Yellow Warbler, and migrating passerines. On the lake, in winter, look for dabbling ducks such as Mallard and Gadwall. Probably due to lake depth, diving ducks are not so common, though there has been one report of Hooded Merganser. Canada Goose seems to be present year round.

Nearly square Harris Lake, at most 2 acres when full, is a youth fishing pond stocked by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department, and located in a small park at the very northern limits of the city of Las Vegas.