Methods and systems for using watermarks to indicate alerts in a storage area network management console are disclosed. An alert provides notification of the occurrence of an event in a storage area network. An event associated with a component of the storage area network is detected. An alert level corresponding to the detected event is determined. A watermark is placed on the graphical user interface to indicate an alert. An initial characteristic of the watermark depends on the determined alert level, and the watermark is oriented to be visible at a distance from the graphical user interface. Multiple alerts may be indicated through changes in a characteristic of the watermark or by changing a watermark initially placed on the graphical user interface upon initiation of the graphical user interface.