As you drive toward the lake be sure to look at the view. If your service has been disconnected, please contact the office at (360) 734-9224 to arrange for service restoration. Elevation: 274 ft. Center: 48.665125, -122.385318 Open in Google Maps. ['March', Are dogs allowed on the beach if they are on a leash? Elevation: 312 ft. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. 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. The northwest end of the lake lies within the city of Bellingham and 22 small watersheds drain into the lake. If this [] There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. The amount of water that is available for storage and treatment. 66.7, var chart = new google.visualization.LineChart(chart_waterF); ', 'AVG', 'Min.' The demand for drinking water is based on how much water is consumed by City residents and businesses. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized the Total Maximum Daily Load study for the lake, which helped establish a 50-year cleanup plan to reduce phosphorus levels. Dispersion refers to BMPs which disperse stormwater over the ground surface so that surrounding plants and vegetation can utilize stormwater. The team has also developed programs to educate watershed homeowners and provide financial incentives to reduce or eliminate impacts on the environment and the lake. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); Please dial (360) 734-9224 59.5, View larger map. Winds are out of the N at 5mph, with wind gusts of 7mph. Lake Whatcom is a large lake covering about 5,000 acres in southwestern Whatcom County. These chemicals are recirculated throughout the lake once water temperatures cool and the water is no longer thermally stratified. Winds are out of the undefined at undefinedmph, with wind gusts of undefinedmph. I might be biased because I live a stone's throw from the lake and I'm looking at it while I'm writing this, but Lake Whatcom is amazing. Air Temperature 36F High: 47F Low: 36F Wind 5 MPH Gust: 7 mph Bearing: N Water Temperature 36 F Weather Details Average Wind 6 mph Water is withdrawn from Basin 2 and processed through a series of treatment steps at the facility that include filtering, adding chemicals to remove smaller suspended particles and algal cells, adjusting the pH and adding chlorine for disinfection. In the 1850s came the first known settlement of Westerners on Lake Whatcom. This is a big lake that is popular with the people. ['February', Winter is a difficult time to target this species. Four primary factors influence the city's lake level management strategy. 2: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:0 }, Large coal mining operations also existed near the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Mining Company closed down. 4.2, (Note: The number of sites used to calculate the quarterly averages increased from four to eight in 2012 (vertical dotted line). Drive over Alabama Hill to the Silver Beach area. Anyway back on topic, if you haven't visited the third largest lake in Washington State, Lake Whatcom is the place to go! . 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. The graph below shows the range of monthly Bellingham water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. With a high around 71F and the low around 37F. Whilst sea temperatures for Bellingham are as accurate as current data allows, there may be slight local and regional variations depending on conditions. If you would rather, cycle to experience slow leisurely sightseeing. Time of day and wind direction may have a temporary local effect as can water flows from neraby rivers. 4920 surface area (acres) 336 max. [12] There are 31,127 total acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed. 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. about Lake Whatcom because the lake is the drinking water supply for the COB and some residents that live near the lake. If wet weather results in turf damage, off leash dogs will only be allowed south of the parking lot, at the discretion of the Director of the Parks & Recreation Department. Impaired Lake Water, But Clean Drinking Water? Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. var options = { ['April', 11-10-019 Publication and Contact Information This report is available on the Department of Ecology's website at Lake Whatcom is home to 13 species of fish. Full Dispersion per BMP T5.30 of the 2012 DOE Manual (Volume V, Chapter 5, pages 5-30 through 5-38). There are 1,811 existing vacant lots with improvement values of greater than $10,000 and an estimated 8,688 total units with build-out potential. From the 1800's. Lake Whatcom was not the main drinking-water reservoir until the mid-20th century - the City originally used Lake Padden as the drinking-water source. The meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and the last Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m. at the District office . It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. The lake is divided into three basins. Please note, the tide times given are not suitable for navigational purposes. The measurements for the water temperature in Bellingham, Washington are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. 3: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, Growing concern about the decline in water quality as evidenced by monitoring data collected since the 1960s eventually led to the formation of the Lake Whatcom Management Committee made up of the county executive, the Bellingham mayor and the manager of the Sudden Valley water district (now the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District). But, in winter some lake surfaces can get very . Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. To summarize, people have been utilizing the Lake Whatcom watershed since the mid-1800s (Peterson, 2008). 5.0 inches 4-6" Show More Posts Today's Details undefined's current water temperature is undefinedF Todays forecast is, undefined With a high around undefinedF and the low around undefinedF. Currently the lake is sampled in five locations with 12 tributaries monitored throughout the year. Elevated levels of mercury have been found in fish and sediment sampled from the lake. 59.2, 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. We are so lucky to live in an area where we can walk out and enjoy the lake from our dock. Beautiful ocean views! Fishing, boating and swimming activities on the lake increased as priorities and interests changed. Figure 2. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) in length and 1 mile (1.6 km) in width at its widest. legend: 'none', As the water source for a city fast approaching 100,000, the lake extends from the eastern edge of Bellingham, which sits on the Salish Sea, and extends 12 miles into the Cascade foothills. The coldest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. Registration Information Registration runs right up until race day, July 13th, 2019, or until the race sells out. The city of Bellingham and Whatcom County have also restricted development activities such as land clearing, from October 1 through May 31 annually to prevent runoff from exposed soil during high precipitation months. July through September total trihalomethane (TTHM) concentrations in the city of Bellinghams water distribution system from 1991 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). ['January', Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. } format: '#F'}, 5. Together these four operating constraints present a complex set of management options that are considered and incorporated into the strategy for managing the Lake Whatcom Reservoir. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users. temperate climate with warm and dry summer, Madison Park Beach, North Beach, Mercerwood Shore Club beach, Mercer Island Beach Club Beach, Bay Street End, East Harrison Street End, South Holgate Street End, Lake Union Park Kayak Launch and Beach, Pritchard Island Beach, Mount Baker Beach, Magnuson Park Beach, Road End Beach, Marina for Sailing, Boat adventures, fishing, Leschi Moorage, Second Avenue South Dock, Kirkland Marina, Leschi Yacht Basin, Bell Street Marina, Queen City Yacht Club, Seattle Yacht Club, Lake Union SkyLaunch, Harbor Island Marina, Puget Sound Yacht Club, Seattle Marina, Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club, Newport Yacht Club, Waterfront Activities Center, AGC Marina, Gas Works Park Marina, Spinnaker Bay Marina, Parkshore Marina, Dunato's Marina, Lakewood Moorage, Newport Yacht Basin, Carillon Point, Boat Street Marina, Lake Union Waterworks, Fremont Tug & Boat Co., Affinity Marina, Sea Scout Base Lake Union, Tyee Yacht Club, Yarrow Bay Marina, Underground Tour, Seattle Great Wheel, Mystery Coke Machine, Gum Wall, Spooked in Seattle, Sky View Observatory, Public Market Clock, Sanitary Market Building, Three Brick Monoliths, Roll Call, Wings over Washington, Comedy Underground, Smith Tower Observatory, Microsoft Visitor Center, Xanadu 2.0, Seattle Escape Games, Seattle Gum Wall, Harry Partch Instrumentarium, Seattle Center, Space Needle, Washington State Convention Center, Central Library, Pioneer Square, Pioneer Square Pergola, Japanese Garden, Ride the Ducks, Lotus, Swiftsure (LV-83), Arthur Foss, Virginia V, Twilight, Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room, Bell Harbor Conference Center, Argosy Cruises, MV Skansonia, Duwamish, Discovery, Pike Place Market, The Carousel, Seattle Glassblowing Studio, Argosy Cruises - Lake Union, The Bellevue Golf Course, Crossroads Par 3 Golf Course, Sand Point Country Club, Overlake Golf & Country Club, Jefferson Park Golf Course, Driving Range, Broadmoor Golf Course, Glendale Country Club, University of Washington Golf Driving Range. Full Dispersion is a method in which no more than 10% of site is covered with impervious surface and 65% of the site is kept in a forest or native condition. Watershed Challenges Stormwater runoff, nutrients, aquatic invasive species and more 49.3, more. 49.3, In recent years, water quality monitoring data indicate that the rate of decline in several water parameters has slowed and in some cases appear to have stabilized. Algorithms Can Treat Physician Fallibility. What the Data Mean 65.1, [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. 3.9, See the results of all 50 ensemble members of the ECMWF model in direct comparison for several parameters. Baker Lake Weather Forecast, WA - WillyWeather F 1 10:04 pm 29 Nov Relative Humidity 100% Rain Today 0.1in (0in Last Hour) Wind E 16.1mph (23mph Gusts) Dew Point 37.4 F Pressure 999.3 hPa Hottest 88 F Saipan Island, Saipan International Airport, AK Coldest -32.1 F Northway, Northway Airport, AK Windiest 52.9mph You can go a short distance or walk for miles on a very well maintained, flat trail. Bloedel donated 12.5 acres to the city for what would eventually become Bloedel Donovan Park. Love this lake, 9 miles long and 1 mile wide, up to 360 deep! The eastern end of the lake is crowded and overbuilt, and the southern end is more rural with great views of the Cascade range to the east. }. ['November', )[7] Annual analysis and progress reports are prepared to support of the five year management program. If you have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it! Its northern tip is located within the City of Bellingham, and it extends 10 miles south toward Skagit County. There are separate places for swimming, and a boat ramp. The views are similar to being in the SW Alaska area! 18.9, Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Welcome To Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District The District's service area includes Geneva, Sudden Valley and the North Shore of Lake Whatcom. All but the most ardent watersports enthusiasts will be thinking of packing up for the winter. Three species have been introduced to the lake by fisheries authorities: bluegill, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. Chlorophyll (Chl) concentrations increased in all three basins. Lake Whatcom is considered one of the best places to fish for bass and kokanee near Bellingham. View larger map. [3], As a drinking water source, Lake Whatcom Reservoir's quality is in compliance for all tested chemicals, bacteria and turbidity. WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. Lake Whatcom, our community's primary drinking water source, is already showing the effects of climate change as evidenced by increasingly common summer temperature extremes. 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. Because Dispersion relies on surrounding vegetation to treat stormwater, a Protected Native Growth Area document must be filed with the Whatcom County Auditor's Office to protect the forest or native area prior to building permit issuance. 17.4], There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries. [1] Land use in Basin 3 is composed of scattered residential development, mostly in the community of Sudden Valley, as well as rural and commercial forestry. Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Very crowded with families. The road eventually turns to the right toward Hwy 9. Clean water. The Lake Whatcom Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Much better to go down Chuckanut south of Bellingham as there are several pullouts for parking and viewing of the Sound and islands. July is the month with the lowest precipitation of 0in / 0mm and December with the maximum precipitation in a year with 2.4in / 60.3mm. The lowest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. Turn left for Acme and the Mt Baker Hwy. 70.9, Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams. December is the coolest with 39F / 3.9C average air temperature. A community forum on government, environmental issues and media. In 1962 water was diverted from the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River, through a tunnel, to supply water to a then-new paper mill on the Bellingham waterfront. Most of the area surrounding the lake was extensively logged by the end of the 19th century. Lake Whatcom is a reservoir of drinking water for the city of Bellingham, and its level is actively managed by control gates. We've kayaked on it and you can paddle forever and not get to the end! Many of the houses have spacious, well-manicured lawns and wide driveways to accommodate numerous vehicles, as well as private docks (see above photo) extending out into the lake to which are tethered boats, jet skis, and other recreational watercraft. Figure 3. High biological activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the bottom water layers of Basins 1 and 2 in the summer. Lake Whatcom drains into Bellingham Bay by way of Whatcom Creek. Winds are out of the N at 5mph, with wind gusts of 9mph. 4.1, Acreage: 4923.60 ac. Lake Washington water temperature by month F C Lake Washington water temperature by month The highest water temperature will be reached in August with around 69.1F / 20.6C. Seattles weather is mostly wet but summer months from July to September are extremely hot with temperatures ranging between 70F and 90F, a good time to be around water. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Located just east of Bellingham. A 3 minute walk from my house, it is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest. Four species have been illegally introduced: brown bullhead, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. USGS Current Conditions for Washington_ Lakes and reservoirs Current Conditions for Washington: Lakes and reservoirs -- 27 site (s) found PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION Lists of, maps for, and information about real-time data are available with the "Predefined Displays". There are no upcoming meetings, please check back soon. 38.8, Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Low DO levels do not directly affect drinking water quality. Both questions have fairly simple answers that belie the complex events and processes that created the conditions that exist today. Among these are six native species: kokanee salmon (non-anadromous form of Sockeye), coastal cutthroat trout, longnose sucker, peamouth chub, sculpin and three-spined stickleback. You will drive past Bloedel Donovan Park. Lake Whatcom is the source of drinking water to some 95,000 people in Whatcom County, including the 82,000 served by the City of Bellingham. Fishing opportunities include resident Kokanee, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, and Yellow Perch. Picture Copyright: Flickr CC 2.0 ChrisYunker. 4, ['September', Our state water quality criteria is 16C. 54.3, 39.6, 71.1, The next question asked is, just how clean is the water they drink if there are no basic protective safeguards in place to keep people and pets out? 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. These anoxic conditions cause the water to become acidic and any metals that had precipitated out of the water column and into sediments are dissolved and released back into the overlying water. By the late 1800s, logging, timber production and mining were the primary activities in the watershed, with most of the workers who supported those industries building houses and living nearby. The City of Bellingham manages the amount of water stored in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir in order to ensure that an adequate supply of drinking water is available throughout the year. I love walking at North Lake Whatcom Trail because you walk right next to the lake for most of the way and it's amazing. There is also the occasional floatplane that comes into to land on or take off from the lake, taking advantage of the FAA approved seaplane base located just south of the Sudden Valley resort. Aug. 2022. 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. Many people in our community dont even know where their water comes from except from the end of a faucet. December is the coolest with 39F / 3.9C average temperature. City Hall210 Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 (360) [email protected]. The District is presently recruiting for a full-time Maintenance Worker I. Most of the phosphorus enters the lake through non point sources, such as water runoff from storms in parks and lands surrounding the lake. Lake Whatcom basin was carved by a glacier over a mile thick. 21.6, Only the southern portion of Basin 3 had chlorophyll concentrations that slightly decreased compared to 2015 data (see Figure 4). The lake has been threatened by declining water quality and was put on the state's list of polluted water bodies in 1998. Lists of, maps for, and information Lake information. Manthey's Country Mobile Home Park, Whatcom County, Washington, United States - The ideal weather forecast for the next 14 days. Winds will push water to one side of the lake, causing water levels to rise on one end and lower on the other. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current? temperate climate with warm and dry summer would be the climate here. Development stormwater runoff does not occur. Lake Whatcom's current water temperature is 36F Todays forecast is, Mostly cloudy throughout the day. ft. of soil are not permitted from October 1st through May 31st per WCC 20.80.735(2)(e). Winds are out of the N at 12mph, with wind gusts of 30mph. Air Temperature undefinedF High: undefinedF Low: undefinedF Wind MPH The health of this tremendously important resource is declining, and at a pace that is faster than expected. Or turn right to drive toward Mt Baker to see more communities. With a high around 47F and the low around 36F. If asked, they may guess that it comes from an underground aquifer or is piped in from some distant source. The Lake is also surrounded by magnificent beautiful homes to see, among them being Bill Gates home. Removing dissolved forms of phosphorus from entering the lake remains problematic. Snow level near 4000 feet. ', 'Max. 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. Perhaps the eastern shore has some places. June, July, August, September would be the best time to visit. The graph below shows the range of monthly Bellingham water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Boat rentals add to the enjoyment of this lake. The health of this tremendously important resource is declining, and at a pace that is faster than expected. Lake Whatcom Water Quality While the City of Bellingham produces some of the cleanest drinking water in the nation, the water quality of Lake Whatcom has started to decrease in recent decades due to a number of water quality challenges. However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued prior to June 1. The hottest avg. Trails close by as well. Good place to take family swimming, nice park. Total Trihalomethane January through December 1991 through 2016. Coordinates: 48.7194, -122.308. 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. The new facility will feature a dissolved air floatation system that will use microscopic air bubbles to attach to any oils or other organic matter in the lake water and float them to the surface where they can be easily skimmed off. . This layering of the lake, as well as the distinct physical barriers (sills) between basins cause for slow movement of water through the lake. The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Figure 1. Air Temperature 52F High: 53F Low: 46F Wind 12 MPH Gust: 30 mph Bearing: N Water Temperature 36 F Weather Details Average Wind 10 mph Humidity (2017) indicated that the residual effects from the extremely warm and prolonged summer season in 2015 were still evident through most of 2016. Winter is the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools offshore. 63.3, The maximum surface elevation of the lake was set by a court order in the 1960s. The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Page Contact Information: Washington Water Data Maintainer Protective actions to safeguard the lake from human activities were relaxed and eventually forgotten. Today's Details. 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. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within three political jurisdictions: the . This data is unofficial. Aging septic systems serving development in the watershed possibly could leach phosphorus into the water body. In 2005 fertilizers containing phosphorus were banned to try to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake. 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) Local politics and human behavior also played contributing roles. Site Design by Sole Graphics, Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Testing, City of Bellingham Post Point WWTP Solids Management Project. Projects, work, or activities that create more than 1,500 square feet of replaced impervious surface area and/or replaced permeable pavement. Lake Washington is the place to explore during the summer. What the Data Show 1.7 1.59 vaww02. 12.4, Whatcom, Squalicum, and Padden Creeks Temperature Total Maximum Daily Load Whatcom, Squalicum, and Padden Creeks Temperature Total Maximum Daily Load Water Quality Improvement Report June 2011 Publication No. The City of Seattle is in the State of Washington and home to Lake Washington in King County. City Hall210 Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 (360) [email protected], 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). The stormwater volume from the project does not exceed the monthly natural stormwater volume as determined by an approved DOE continuous runoff model. Development permits which propose to exceed more than 500 square feet of exposed soil will not be issued during the 2 weeks prior to October 1 to allow for earthwork to be done and stabilized prior to October 1. How many docks do you count in this photo? When people are informed of where their drinking water comes from, most are shocked and then outraged. 9.6, The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Dissolved Oxygen vs. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also maintains a boat launch. Development permits may be submitted at any time during the year. The NWRO concerns and the listing of Lake Whatcom as impaired for low dissolved oxygen triggered this TMDL study. At the Mt Baker Hwy turn left to return toward Bellingham. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. July 2016 temperature (on left) and dissolved oxygen (on right) profiles with depth compared to 1988 through 2014 minimum/maximum ranges (shaded areas). Data in the 2015/2016 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report by Matthews et al. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving. FOIA 5.2, The simple answer is that our drinking water after treatment is in full compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act., meeting or exceeding all federal and state water quality standards. 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). Development Permits: Permits may be submitted at any time during the year. 60.4, Projects, work, or activities that create more than 500 square feet of impervious surface area and/or permeable pavement. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Boating access and other amenities are available at Bloedel Donovan Park (City of Bellingham) anda WDFW access area. Shoreline access: Good However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued prior to June 1. This is a big lake that is popular with the people. The Cougar Dam on the McKenzie River, Oregon Credit: Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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. Fishing resources. The City is a serene evergreen environment, surrounded by Cascade Mountains to the east, Olympic Mountains to the west, Mount Rainier to the South and Mt. This is a wonderful hike through a temperate rainforest which culminates in a beautiful view. The lake holds around 250 billion gallons of water which it receives from 36 different tributaries. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. Some brown trout. ['May', Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. Since warm water is less dense that colder water, it stays on top of the lake surface. Meetings Customers are encouraged to attend meetings and share their views with the Commissioners on the second and last Wednesday of each month. Min temperature will be -7c / 19f on Fri 10. Warning: Javascript must be enabled to use all the features on this page! Customize table to display other current-condition parameters Lake information County: Whatcom Acreage: 4923.60 ac. 4.1], I gets a tad windy out there so if you want to kayak on it, look at the forecast. [8], Lake Whatcom is a monomictic lake. My son has gone swimming with his friends in the summer at Bloedel but it's too cold for me! County: Whatcom Acreage: 4755.30 ac. 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). Currently, based on the city of Bellinghams 2007 guide to Lake Whatcom, the Lake Whatcom watershed is zoned for residential use, private commercial forest use, public land, urban growth area, and watershed protected properties, along with non-residential reconveyance areas. Fishing for resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout is closed due to a decline in abundance caused by siltation from historical logging and urban activities in their spawning tributaries. In 1946 J.H. Utility bills are for water and sewer services received in the previous two months and are mailed out bi-monthly. 18.7, var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); 57.2, 61.7, series: { Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development, with one large park and several small parks. to the native or forested area. These steps produce high quality drinking water that is in full compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act standards. I have also heard questions about the potability of the water. 12.1, ], By the 1930s, however, the region experienced a population boom with increased residential development of homes and summer cottages in the northwest part of the watershed. The most recent occurrence was in 2015, followed by warmer than usual, but less extreme temperatures in 2016. In the 1850s came the first known settlement of Westerners on Lake Whatcom. Stormwater from development must be dispersed using certain methods (splash blocks, dispersion trenches, etc.) 50, Around 1800 the Saquantch were pushed out by the Lummi tribe. temperature is around 65.8F / 18.8C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Major outputs of lake water are Whatcom Creek (77.5% of outflow),[2] City of Bellingham intake (11.3%), evaporation (7.9%) and hatchery (2.5%). 15.1, The rate of oxygen depletion in Basin 1 was again abnormally rapid compared to 1988 through 2014 data, setting up anoxic conditions in May, June and July that were lower than historic minimums (see Figure 2). Wells Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 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. Today's Details. 4.9, General. Local governments are working hard to study the lake and make wise decisions about its future. Lake Whatcom Water Quality Model by Christopher J. Berger And Scott A. 18.4, Turn around and follow the road all the way around the lake. Policies and Notices, U.S. Department of the Interior | Displays". Parking was a challenge, but there were a few spots in the shade. ', 'AVG', 'Min. Lake Whatcom Blvd does not circle Lake Whatcom. Lake Whatcom was placed on the Environmental Protection Agency's 303(d) list for impaired water bodies in 1998, due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, which are directly related to the amount of phosphorus Lake Whatcom receives. Of these, 4,007 are developed, 5,552 are zoned for development but are currently undeveloped, and 2,519 are protected under conservation easement, as a result of land use acquisition by the city of Bellingham and private individuals. * We've detected you're using a mobile device. 7.6, 97% of travelers recommend this experience. chart.draw(data, options); 4.3],]); Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington 65.7, The fourth primary factor influencing lake management is the outflow into Whatcom Creek. Why a four stroke motor not allowed on the lake ? Latest Lake Temperatures. This lake supplies water for over 60,000 . District personnel are available around the clock for water or sewer emergencies. 10.2, Rainfall Amounts a half inch to one inch possible. Another amenity open to the public in the watershed is the Sudden Valley resorts 18-hole golf course that has its signature hole abutting the west shore of Basin 3. [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. The following are some of the more important water quality indicators reported in the 2014/2015 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report: I. U.S. Geological Survey The city of Bellingham has invested a lot of money and resources in its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) in length and 1 mile (1.6 km) in width at its widest. 15.3, This up and down movement of the water causes the thermocline to rise and fall as well, which can result in the cold, anoxic water from Basin 3, to spill over the Strawberry Sill into Basin 2. 39, 3.8], This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 45.7, 39.2, RACE GUIDE COURSE PARTNERS To cope, they hide in the coolest water of the river. These efforts have helped to reduce the rate of deterioration. 1: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:0, lineWidth: 8 }, By 1948, all logging and mining activities in the watershed had ended, only to be replaced by increasing residential development and recreational activities which continued unabated into the 1990s. In summer, the top of the lake becomes warmer than the lower layers. 16.3], With a high around 46F and the low around 37F. Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. At its greatest depth, Basin 3 is 328 feet (100m) deep, and is estimated to contain 96% of the lake's total water volume. Return and drive toward Hwy 9. 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. Water temperature in Puget Sound today is 46.8F. Figure 5. The data also have revealed, however, that warmer summer temperatures with longer warmer seasonal periods accelerate biological productivity causing severe deleterious chemical changes to water quality. As required by the 303(d) listing, the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) created a computer model to find the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of phosphorus the lake can receive while maintaining adequate dissolved oxygen levels. Cold and difficult to stay in except for August. Are fishing boats with 2 cycle engines allowed ? 15.8, Trihalomethanes (THMs), which are known carcinogens created during the disinfection process of water treatment, have decreased overall in tap water to about 0.04 mg/L, down from the high of 0.06 mg/L in 2015 (see Figure 6), and well below the maximum allowable contaminant level of 0.08 mg/L. Instead, turn left to go to the dead end. Median summer near-surface chlorophyll concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). The Board of Commissioners meets regularly each month in open session. Elevation: 312 ft. Center: 48.740296, -122.346516 Open in Google Maps View larger map Powered by Esri Fishing resources Emergency fishing rule changes Sportfishing rules pamphlet Fish stocking reports Fish Washington mobile app Buy a fishing license Discover Pass Catchable fish plants vAxes: { 0: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. Temperatures in Basins 1 and 2 were relatively warm, but within historic ranges. The water will feel cold. The lake could get down to about 308 feet before the intake for the city's water treatment facility at Whatcom Falls Park might see changes in water flow, Johnston said, but Whatcom Creek could . The second part of the availability equation is the timing and amount of water available from the Middle Fork diversion. South Whatcom Fire Lt. Scott Crowe and other boaters help pull a sailboat to the dock at Western Washington University's Lakewood water sports facility on Lake Whatcom on April 26, 2019. function drawChart() { URL: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current?site_tp_cd=LK&PARAmeter_cd=STATION_NM,62614,62615,00065,00062,DATETIME Temperature. 6.5, Baker to the North. STRATEGIES -LAKE WHATCOM WATER & SEWER DISTRICT Whatcom County Sheriff's Department, Division of Emergency Management September 30, 2021 LWWSD- 1 . In summer, watercraft of all shapes and sizes litter the surface of the lake as people enjoy its recreational benefits. Invasive species of particular threat to Lake Whatcom include zebra mussel, New Zealand mud snail, Asian carp, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). The avg. The amount available for storage is determined as much by when it rains as it is by how much it rains in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. 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). Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Why Are People Recreating in My Drinking Water? 50.4, Sources/Usage: Public Domain. A total of about 10,000 acres of land has been protected from development in the watershed. II. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer . Windfinder specializes in wind, waves, tides and weather reports & forecasts for wind related sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, sailing, fishing or paragliding. This stratification is more pronounced in Basin 3 where water is deepest. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. The District is divided into five districts and is governed by a five member Board of Commissioners who set the policies and rates of the District. Median summer near-surface total phosphorus concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). depth (ft) To depth map. NOAA Fisheries, a federal agency, has listed Puget Sound Chinook on the Endangered Species Act list as a Threatened Species. If you bring your dog, please don't only scoop and bag the poop, but TAKE THE BAG AND THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE CAN!!! 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. 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