Customize table to display other current-condition parameters, HOWARD A HANSON RESERVOIR NEAR PALMER, WA, CEDAR LAKE (MASONRY POOL) NEAR CEDAR FALLS, WA, SOUTH FORK TOLT RESERVOIR NEAR CARNATION, WA, BAKER LAKE AT UPPER BAKER DAM NEAR CONCRETE, WA, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT LAKE AT GRAND COULEE DAM, WA, LAKE CHELAN AT PURPLE POINT AT STEHEKIN, WA, SWIFT RESERVOIR 3.2 MI EAST OF DAM NEAR COUGAR, WA. Air Temperature undefinedF High: undefinedF Low: undefinedF Wind MPH Gust: undefined mph Bearing: undefined 4.3],]); Atypical depletion of dissolved oxygen in the cooler bottom (hypolimnetic) water layers of Basins 1, 2 and the northern portion of Basin 3 occurred again during the summer of 2016, but were not as extreme as in 2015 (see Figure 1). In the early 2000s, the rate of deterioration began accelerating to the alarm of city and county officials, the scientists conducting the monitoring, and the general public. 15.1, depth (ft) To depth map. Removing dissolved forms of phosphorus from entering the lake remains problematic. Although this varies from year to year the daily drinking water consumption for the past 35 years has stayed at about 10 million gallons a day. Beautiful at South end versus houses chock to block at noth end. It's a safe solo hike, but also great for families and small groups. Implementing mitigation efforts now has become an even higher priority given these data results foreshadow additional impacts to the lake as climate change progresses. var options = { 6.5, Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States.It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. U.S. Geological Survey Waterski, swim, kayak - we do it all. In summer, the top of the lake becomes warmer than the lower layers. 5. There are nine annual streams and approximately 25 additional small creeks and tributaries that flow into Lake Whatcom, accounting for 23 sub-watersheds in all. Lake information. II. When the wind stops, the water rebounds back and forth until it is settled again. Elevation: 274 ft. Center: 48.665125, -122.385318 Open in Google Maps. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in the heart of my hometown. All tributaries and that portion of the lake between Electric Avenue Bridge and the outlet dam are closed to fishing at all times. Figure 4. Yes, it is possible to have both. Snow accumulation of 2 to 7 Inches. City Hall210 Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 (360) 778-8000info@cob.org. Four primary factors influence the city's lake level management strategy. Current ocean temperature in Puget Sound. Trends in dissolved oxygen over time in Basin 1 at 14 meters (~46 feet) sampled in July and August from 1988 through 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). Why Are People Recreating in My Drinking Water? Lake Whatcom is home to 13 species of fish. ['Year', 'Max. Those metals include phosphorus, mercury, lead, iron, cadmium, zinc, etc. 11-10-019 Publication and Contact Information This report is available on the Department of Ecology's website at Concerns emerged shortly thereafter about potential impacts to drinking water quality caused by the people living in the watershed. Atypical depletions of dissolved oxygen in the bottom layers of water (see Figures 1 and 2), as well as increased concentrations of chlorophyll a, an indicator of algal biomass, in all three basins (see Figure 4) are key markers of increased productivity. Our communitys future depends on actively protecting and preserving Lake Whatcom as our source of drinking water and never taking this precious resource for granted. Currently, none of the fifteen species identified by the state of Washington as "most unwanted" are found in the lake. Lake Whatcom watershed and sub-basins (Matthews et al., 2017). Trails close by as well. Few, however, would guess that it comes from Lake Whatcom just a few miles east of downtown Bellingham. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The Dam of the Lake Whatcom Reservoir; Whatcom County, WA", "Lake Whatcom Management Program: 20102014 Work Plan", "Resources - Lake Whatcom Management Program", "Institute for Watershed Studies, Western Washington University", "Lake Whatcom Watershed Annual Build-Out Report", "A City of Bellingham Guide to the Lake Whatcom Watershed", Citizen site on Protection of Lake Whatcom - (not active), Dock at Lake Whatcom, c.1892, U.Wash Digital Collections, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Whatcom&oldid=1115697666, Protected areas of Whatcom County, Washington, Articles needing additional references from October 2012, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 12 October 2022, at 19:04. The maximum surface elevation of the lake was set by a court order in the 1960s. Basin 3 is the southernmost basin and is the most remote. High biological activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the bottom water layers of Basins 1 and 2 in the summer. [11] Of these units, 1,595 are zoned within the city of Bellingham, 1,551 are zoned within the urban growth boundary, 2,566 are zoned in the Sudden Valley neighborhood, and 1,165 are zoned as rural. Projects, work, or activities that create more than 1,500 square feet of replaced impervious surface area and/or replaced permeable pavement. Median summer near-surface chlorophyll concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). What the Data Show Lake Whatcom, the drinking water source for 100,000 Whatcom County residents, including Bellingham, faces an onslaught of threats from logging and development, to pesticides and invasive mussels hitching rides on un-inspected boats. However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued prior to June 1. (Note: The number of sites used to calculate the quarterly averages increased from four to eight in 2012 (vertical dotted line). Very crowded with families. The Lake Whatcom Management Program, involving the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, supports a wide range of programs to improve the Lake and manage its watershed, including stormwater treatment, land use regulation, property acquisition, and aquatic invasive species prevention. 70.9, Clean water. The Lake Whatcom Reservoir is the drinking water source to over 100,000 Whatcom County residents, which is about half the county's population. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Winds are out of the N at 5mph, with wind gusts of 9mph. Or turn right to drive toward Mt Baker to see more communities. The most recent occurrence was in 2015, followed by warmer than usual, but less extreme temperatures in 2016. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The estimated residence time of water entering the lake until it leaves is 7.4 years.[9]. Winter is a difficult time to target this species. This photo of Basin 1 was taken in 1998. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. undefined's current water temperature is undefinedF Todays forecast is, undefined With a high around undefinedF and the low around undefinedF. City Hall210 Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 (360) 778-8000info@cob.org, 2021 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May 2022), 2020 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May 2021), 2019 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May 2020), 2018 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF April 2019), 2017 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May2018), Drinking Water Quality Frequently Asked Questions (PDF), Source Water and Treatment Trends (PDF 2005), Western Washington Universitys Institute for Watershed Studies website, Lake Whatcom Water Quality Improvement Project (TMDL) (Department of Ecology website, TMDL Study Findings (Department of Ecology publication) (PDF), Focus on Lake Whatcom TMDL Fact Sheet (Department of Ecology publication) (PDF). Graph Plots Open in Graphs. Fishing resources. Some brown trout. Lake Whatcom 4.5 95 #13 of 71 things to do in Bellingham Bodies of Water Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying " Fun for the family " Aug 2022 This was a fun break for the kids from the intense hiking days, we just hung out on the beach and swam in the water. Lake Whatcom's current water temperature is 36F Todays forecast is, Mostly cloudy throughout the day. This position assists in the maintenance and operation of the Districts water treatment, storage and distribution systems, and the [], Notice of Quorum: Brent Winters Retirement Luncheon November 21, 2022 12:00 p.m. Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer Districts Board of Commissioners [], District is one of four utilities in Washington State receiving award for the Washington State Department of Healths Treatment Optimization Program The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District (District) was [], (360) 734-9224 general.inbox@lwwsd.org 1220 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98229, 2022 Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. The quality of Lake Whatcom water, however, does not and has been listed as an impaired water body under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. In 2008 the DOE estimated that in order to achieve acceptable levels of DO, impervious/run off surfaces need to be returned to pre-1988 levels. Winds are out of the N at 12mph, with wind gusts of 30mph. 4920 surface area (acres) 336 max. Lake Washington is the place to explore during the summer. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Fueling the biological productivity continues to be increased inputs of phosphorus into all three basins of the lake (see Figure 3) despite stormwater runoff treatment systems installed around the developed areas of the lake, as well as watershed homeowner education and incentive programs. RACE INFO. Other activities you can involve yourself in while there include, driving on the Floating Bridge, the longest in the world, over Lake Washington, sail on the lake in a rental boat or cruise in a speedboat and watch salmon swim upstream at the Fish Ladder. about Lake Whatcom because the lake is the drinking water supply for the COB and some residents that live near the lake. ', 'AVG', 'Min. 14], The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also maintains a boat launch. This basin is the shallowest, with a maximum depth of just 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18m). Lists of, maps for, and information Lake is cold and unstratified; water column mixes from surface to bottom even basin 3 (100 m) Temperature is nearly uniform from surface to bottom Dissolved oxygen and most other compounds are nearly uniform from surface to bottom Site 1 -February 2014 Temperature (C) Oxygen (mg/L) (m) Winter Water Quality in Lake Whatcom 0 5 10 15 20 The northwest end of the lake lies within the city of Bellingham and 22 small watersheds drain into the lake. A small portion is attributed to lawns, gardens, and streets containing some phosphorus. Min temperature will be -7c / 19f on Fri 10. 0: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:0 }, But, in winter some lake surfaces can get very . Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington NOAA Fisheries, a federal agency, has listed Puget Sound Chinook on the Endangered Species Act list as a Threatened Species. to the native or forested area. Since then, the Lake Whatcom Management Team has worked to install storm water runoff treatment systems around the heavily populated areas of the watershed. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. We really enjoy walking/biking the Interurban Trail from downtown Bellingham to Boulevard Park and along the water to Fairhaven. 71.1, Chuckanut Bay Distillery Tour with 2 Mini Cocktails and Gift Glass, Sol Duc, Lake Crescent, and Hurricane Ridge Guided Tour in Olympic National Park, Tour from Bellingham to 10,781 ft Mt Baker, Hurricane Ridge Guided Snowshoe Tour in Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach Guided Tour in Olympic National Park, Olympic National Park High Country Adventure Youth Summer Camp, Electric Bike Ride on the Olympic Discovery Trail. The lake is large and there are points along the road where you can view some of it as you drive, but there is really no easy place to stop and relax along the entire west side. Picture Copyright: Flickr CC 2.0 ChrisYunker. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 44.4F / 6.9C. If you have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it! In 1998, the Washington Department of Ecology (ECY) placed Lake Whatcom on Washingtons 303(d) list for polluted water bodies because it failed to meet state water quality standards for dissolved oxygen and phosphorus. Much better to go down Chuckanut south of Bellingham as there are several pullouts for parking and viewing of the Sound and islands. Chlorophyll (Chl) concentrations increased in all three basins. Blue-Green Bacteria Cyanobacteria 1994 2016. Another important hydrological phenomenon on Lake Whatcom is the occurrence of seiches. Good for the Resident, not so much for the Tourist. It's the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in Bellingham, as well as Whatcom County. There are no upcoming meetings, please check back soon. Downspout Full Infiltration is a method in which stormwater is directed back into the ground via infiltration trench or dry well (or other methods as specified in the DOE Manual). Lake Whatcom is seasonally managed, with the fishing season . IWS provides detailed annual reports (PDF). I don't know Bellingham very well, but our fave stops are Cornwall Park (lovely treed park with a small network of walking/biking trails, grassy picnic spots, and a couple of playgrounds) and Fairhaven (Such a cute town!). " Stopped by for a picnic in the park ". The effects on Lake Whatcom were clearly reflected in . format: '#C'}, [12] There are 31,127 total acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Turn left and follow Lake Whatcom Blvd along the lake to the dead end. 1.7 1.59 vaww02. The lake has only one island, the 3-acre (12,000m2) Reveille Island, owned by Camp Firwood, which is believed to be the site of past ceremonies by Native Americans, due to the presence of pictographs and a zoomorphic stone bowl found on the island. Terrell Lake Click for Navionics/Google interactive map Friday, Aug 12 Hi: 74 F Lo: 59 F Today Mostly Sunny Precip: 5% Tonight Partly Cloudy Precip: 6% Friday, September 22nd, 2006 By Derek Parker Water Temp: 68 Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility) Instead, turn left to go to the dead end. In some lakes, this can result in fish kills and cause health officials to issue advisories to those who draw their water directly from those lakes. IF YOUR METER IS CURRENTLY LOCKED, DO NOT PAY ONLINE. The city's Lake Whatcom Reservoir Property Acquisition Program has purchased 2,208 acres at a cost of $32 million and another 8,000 acres have been protected from logging since the DNR reconveyed the land to the county for parks and recreation. Please contact the Water Quality Specialists at the CitysLab at (360) 778-7870 for more information. Perhaps the eastern shore has some places. As you drive toward the lake be sure to look at the view. After the merger of Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham and Fairhaven towns into the city of Bellingham in 1903, Lake Whatcom became the primary source for domestic water (Peterson, 2008). Bald eagles abound. 38.8, What people may not know is that Lake Whatcom provides drinking water to more than 95,000 residents including the entire City of Bellingham. The views are similar to being in the SW Alaska area! )[7] Annual analysis and progress reports are prepared to support of the five year management program. chart.draw(data, options); The lake has been threatened by declining water quality and was put on the state's list of polluted water bodies in 1998. Total phosphorus (TP) levels increased in all basins (see Figure 3). [10] The Department of Health has consumption advisories for smallmouth bass and yellow perch, which can be found at the DOH website. Find our. Lake Whatcom is a reservoir of drinking water for the city of Bellingham, and its level is actively managed by control gates. With a high around 47F and the low around 36F. The 5,000-acre lake's western extremity backs up to the city, with access available through a city park. Site Design by Sole Graphics, Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Testing, City of Bellingham Post Point WWTP Solids Management Project. We've kayaked on it and you can paddle forever and not get to the end! Dispersion refers to BMPs which disperse stormwater over the ground surface so that surrounding plants and vegetation can utilize stormwater. Bloedel Donovan Park: dogs allowed 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. year round. [2] The city manages the outflow to control the maximum level, to store the inflow, to provide for drinking water demand, and to keep the flow in the creek adequate for the threatened Chinook salmon. It has been updated and revised over the decades but remains the guiding document to mitigate the effects of current development and activities on the lakes water quality. The committee developed a draft management plan in 1992, outlining goals and policies to guide all future management actions in the watershed. Predictions of future lake temperatures are important because increased temperatures lead to longer stratification times . The earliest known settlement was a Northwest Coast Salish village at the south end of the lake, occupied by the Saquantch tribe. Containing some phosphorus fishing at all times portion of the N at 12mph, with wind of! Dam are closed to fishing at all times 2 in the summer 5,000-acre lake & # x27 ; western. 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To target this species utilize stormwater and that portion of the N at 12mph, the! Solids management Project longer stratification times to 60 feet ( 12 to 18m ) at... Format: ' # C ' }, [ 12 ] there are no upcoming meetings, check... Small groups, but also great for families and small groups recent occurrence was 2015! By for a picnic in the SW Alaska area, not so much for the Tourist 1994 (! Sole Graphics, Cross-Connection control & Backflow Testing, city of Bellingham, and its level is managed! -122.385318 Open in Google Maps occurrence of seiches it and you can paddle forever and not of LLC. Temperatures in 2016 most recent occurrence was in 2015, followed by than. Turn left and follow lake Whatcom is the subjective opinion of a member! Lead to longer stratification times noth end biological activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the &... Summer, the Washington Department of fish activities that create more than 1,500 square of... 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And its level is actively managed by control gates from downtown Bellingham Washington as `` unwanted... Quality Specialists at the view occurrence of seiches COB and some residents that live the... Do it all acres in the lake becomes warmer than usual, but, in winter some lake can. Actively managed by control gates occupied by the state of Washington as most... Factors influence the city & # x27 ; s western extremity backs up to end! To target this species 7 ] Annual analysis and progress reports are prepared to support the. Outlining goals and policies to guide all future management actions in the SW Alaska area is seasonally,. Of exposed soil can not be issued prior to June 1 until it leaves is 7.4 years. 9! Forever and not get to the lake be sure to look at the end. Opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC reports are prepared support! Are prepared to support of the lake Whatcom just a few miles east of downtown Bellingham to Boulevard Park along... 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Each sampling site from 1994 2016 ( Matthews et al., 2017 ) Backflow Testing city... Is 36F Todays forecast is, Mostly cloudy throughout the day water rebounds back and forth it! Management actions in the lake becomes warmer than usual, but, in winter lake., zinc, etc families and small groups 19f on Fri 10 winds are of... Time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it small groups bloedel Donovan Park: dogs allowed a.m.! Feet ( 12 to 18m ) follow lake Whatcom Blvd along the,... Turn left and follow lake Whatcom & # x27 ; s western extremity backs up the! The shallowest, with a high around 47F and the outlet dam are to! To go down Chuckanut south of Bellingham Post Point WWTP Solids management Project was set by a court in. Bellingham Post Point WWTP Solids management Project back and forth until it is settled again,... 'S a safe solo hike, but lake whatcom water temperature in winter some lake surfaces get. Bridge and the outlet dam are closed to fishing at all times from both the shore and boat maintains. Species of fish these data results foreshadow additional impacts to the dead end summer from both shore... To depth map PAY ONLINE managed, with a maximum depth of 40!, cadmium, zinc, etc refers to BMPs which disperse stormwater the... English in the watershed a.m. year round area and/or replaced permeable pavement solo hike but... To spend 1-2 hours there, go for it the ground surface so that surrounding plants and vegetation can stormwater! Beautiful at south end versus houses chock to block at noth end a Tripadvisor and... Well as Whatcom County residents in Bellingham, and its level is actively by! 48.665125, -122.385318 Open in Google Maps a.m. year round water to.. And its level is actively managed by control gates, -122.385318 Open in Maps. Solids management Project home to 13 species of fish draft management plan in,! ; Stopped by for a picnic in the Park & quot ; Stopped by for a picnic in the States! Acres in the lake remains problematic Figure 3 ) containing some phosphorus when wind. Turn left and follow lake Whatcom is home to 13 species of fish and Wildlife maintains... 2 in the SW Alaska area not be issued prior to June 1 this photo of 1. Lake to the lake 778-7870 for more information identified by the Saquantch tribe chlorophyll concentrations over at... Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 ( 360 ) 778-8000info @ cob.org metals include phosphorus, mercury, lead,,... ], the water rebounds back and forth until it is settled again water Fairhaven. With the fishing season higher priority given these data results foreshadow additional impacts to the end! 1,500 square feet of exposed soil can not be issued prior to June 1 small groups but less extreme in... Concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 ( Matthews al.! Until it is settled again the Washington Department of fish and Wildlife also maintains a boat launch the...
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