(Ecology TMDL, 2008). URL: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current?site_tp_cd=LK&PARAmeter_cd=STATION_NM,62614,62615,00065,00062,DATETIME Lake Washington is the place to explore during the summer. 15.3, The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. Love this lake, 9 miles long and 1 mile wide, up to 360 deep! 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. IWS provides detailed annual reports (PDF). It's a safe solo hike, but also great for families and small groups. Shoreline access: Good - WDFW access only, County: Whatcom Lake Whatcom was the transportation route for timber, harvested on the slopes, and floated in "log-booms" towed to the mills at both the south and the north ends of the lake. Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. 21.7, 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. 0: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:0 }, The 5,000-acre lake's western extremity backs up to the city, with access available through a city park. The hottest avg. Removing dissolved forms of phosphorus from entering the lake remains problematic. A 3 minute walk from my house, it is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. The water will feel cold. Lake Waco's current water temperature is 52F Todays forecast is, Clear throughout the day. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams. Lake Washington is the place to explore during the summer. 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. 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. 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. 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. Lake Whatcom is a reservoir of drinking water for the city of Bellingham, and its level is actively managed by control gates. Stormwater from development must be dispersed using certain methods (splash blocks, dispersion trenches, etc.) Perfect for families with strollers, runners, or walkers like me! Temperature. The coldest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. I have also heard questions about the potability of the water. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Good place to take family swimming, nice park. Those metals include phosphorus, mercury, lead, iron, cadmium, zinc, etc. 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. A total of about 10,000 acres of land has been protected from development in the watershed. 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. Figure 6. The model calibration period was from February 14 . 59.5, 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. ft. of soil are not permitted from October 1st through May 31st per WCC 20.80.735(2)(e). Lake information. The effects on Lake Whatcom were clearly reflected in . Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Why a four stroke motor not allowed on the lake ? Lake Samish's current water temperature is 38F Todays forecast is, Rain throughout the day. 6, Log 10 plots of median summer near-surface Cyanobacteria counts (1994 2016), June through October, all sites and depths (Matthews et al., 2017). This is a wonderful hike through a temperate rainforest which culminates in a beautiful view. RACE INFO. Median summer near-surface chlorophyll concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). Please dial (360) 734-9224 Good for the Resident, not so much for the Tourist. 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 (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in the heart of my hometown. Since warm water is less dense that colder water, it stays on top of the lake surface. The northwest end of the lake lies within the city of Bellingham and 22 small watersheds drain into the lake. 12.1, 57.2, The first question is answered by the cascade of historical events that led to the lake being designated as a drinking water supply source after residential development and commercial activities had already been well established in the watershed. Large coal mining operations also existed near the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Mining Company closed down. (2017) indicated that the residual effects from the extremely warm and prolonged summer season in 2015 were still evident through most of 2016. Development stormwater runoff does not occur. Lake Whatcom drains into Bellingham Bay by way of Whatcom Creek. 16.5, 7.6, 4920 surface area (acres) 336 max. The more degraded the lake water, however, the more treatment is needed to clean it to levels safe for drinking. In summer, watercraft of all shapes and sizes litter the surface of the lake as people enjoy its recreational benefits. ['May', Lake Whatcom is a large lake covering about 5,000 acres in southwestern Whatcom County. Currently the lake is sampled in five locations with 12 tributaries monitored throughout the year. The city of Bellingham has invested a lot of money and resources in its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park. Drive on the residential streets to continue close to the Lake. Some brown trout. 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. 47.1, 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. Lake navigation features include advanced instrumentation to gather wind speed direction, water temperature, water depth . Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington 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). Website Feedback |Employee Login |Jobs |Site Map | Accessibility |Terms of Use |Copyright |Government Websites by CivicPlus, 311 Grand Avenue | Bellingham, WA 98225 | Phone: 360-778-5000. Fishing, boating and swimming activities on the lake increased as priorities and interests changed. 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. Based on the 2014 Lake Whatcom Watershed Annual Build-Out Report there are currently 6,877 dwelling units in the Whatcom County watershed with appropriate assessor's residential land use codes, and improvement values of greater than 10,000 dollars. Four primary factors influence the citys lake level management strategy. Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Despite lake water quality challenges, the City is committed to supplying some of the safest drinking water in the country. Registration Information Registration runs right up until race day, July 13th, 2019, or until the race sells out. Return and drive toward Hwy 9. It is approximately 10 miles (16km) in length and 1 mile (1.6km) in width at its widest. Basin 1, the Silver Beach Basin, is the furthest north, and has a maximum depth of 100 feet (30m). General. threat to person or property, the tree may be removed without review. 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. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Four degrees doesn't seem like much difference to us, but fish can be sensitive to even a 0.1C difference. Boating access and other amenities are available at Bloedel Donovan Park (City of Bellingham) anda WDFW access area. Land use is primarily residential, with a mix of lake protection program properties and some rural forestry. Please contact the Water Quality Specialists at the CitysLab at (360) 778-7870 for more information. 54.3, If this [] Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Find our. These chemicals are recirculated throughout the lake once water temperatures cool and the water is no longer thermally stratified. temperature is around 65.8F / 18.8C, August is the month with the highest temperature. 18.7, The NWRO concerns and the listing of Lake Whatcom as impaired for low dissolved oxygen triggered this TMDL study. 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. Figure 5. December is the coolest with 39F / 3.9C average temperature. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 44.4F / 6.9C. [3], As a drinking water source, Lake Whatcom Reservoir's quality is in compliance for all tested chemicals, bacteria and turbidity. All of these tributaries and the area surrounding them make up the 36,000-acre Lake Whatcom watershed. 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. It is the drinking water source for over 100,000 Whatcom County residents. Am I in the District? ['Year', 'Max. 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. Only the southern portion of Basin 3 had chlorophyll concentrations that slightly decreased compared to 2015 data (see Figure 4). Bloedel donated 12.5 acres to the city for what would eventually become Bloedel Donovan Park. Lake Whatcom and its watershed provide important fish and wildlife . 15.8, 9.6, You will drive past Bloedel Donovan Park. The trail ends in 3 miles at a fenced private property. U.S. Geological Survey 4.3],]); If you would rather, cycle to experience slow leisurely sightseeing. Eurasian water milfoil is the only species on Washington's list of 50 unwanted species (13 of which are freshwater) that is known to exist in Lake Whatcom. 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. Most of the area surrounding the lake was extensively logged by the end of the 19th century. The first question they ask is how could the city of subdued excitement, with a reputation for being environmentally conscientious, allow people and pets to recreate in and live around their drinking water source? Figure 2. With a high around 53F and the low around 46F. Sea water temperature in Puget Sound is expected to be constant . Here are the guidelines for a popular Lake Whatcom Park. The road eventually turns to the right toward Hwy 9. The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Dissolved Oxygen vs. See the results of all 50 ensemble members of the ECMWF model in direct comparison for several parameters. 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. Lake Whatcom watershed and sub-basins (Matthews et al., 2017). 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). 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? [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. Why Are People Recreating in My Drinking Water? . Annual water quality monitoring funded by the city of Bellingham and conducted by Dr. Robin Matthews and her research team at Western Washington University have provided data clearly showing the decline in several water quality parameters over the last 30 years. When the wind stops, the water rebounds back and forth until it is settled again. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. 50, Snow accumulation of 2 to 7 Inches. Parking was a challenge, but there were a few spots in the shade. This is a big lake that is popular with the people. Basin 2, the Geneva Basin, is the central basin where the drinking water for the city of Bellingham is withdrawn. The lake " has turned." After October, the temperature throughout the vertical column of water is about the same cold temperature, until the ice is melted and the sun can warm the top of the lake again. 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 Concerns emerged shortly thereafter about potential impacts to drinking water quality caused by the people living in the watershed. 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 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 This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Turn left and follow Lake Whatcom Blvd along the lake to the dead end. ['June', Four primary factors influence the city's lake level management strategy. }, Baker. Three species have been introduced to the lake by fisheries authorities: bluegill, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. The Districts service area includes Geneva, Sudden Valley and the North Shore of Lake Whatcom. 2: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:0 }, A control dam at the head of Whatcom Creek, (the only stream flowing out of the Lake Whatcom Reservoir), provides a mechanism for managing the surface level of the lake and therefore the amount of water stored in the lake. 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. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. This lake supplies water for over 60,000 . . Alternate names for BellinghamBLI, Bellingham. . 59.2, The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Figure 1. 4.1, 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 . Median summer near-surface total phosphorus concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). Elevation: 703 ft. Center: 48.726836, -121.628304 Open in Google Maps. _________________________________________. 1.7 1.59 vaww02. Acreage: 4923.60 ac. It's the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in Bellingham, as well as Whatcom County. Lake Whatcom is considered one of the best places to fish for bass and kokanee near Bellingham. 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". title: 'Water Temperature Graph: Lake Washington', In this middle layer water temperatures take a pronounced decline and eventually a distinct third layer forms (hypolimnion), much colder and isolated from the rest of the water body. At its greatest depth, Basin 3 is 328 feet (100m) deep, and is estimated to contain 96% of the lake's total water volume. However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued prior to June 1. ', 'AVG', 'Min.' Jul. Yes, it is possible to have both. At Hwy 9, turn right for Skagit County. 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. 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. Today's Details. Today's Details. Hope this helps. We make coffee with it, prepare food, brush our teeth, take a shower, wash dishes, flush toilets and go about our daily business. 5: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, 1: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:0, lineWidth: 8 }, The more treatment is needed to clean it to levels safe for drinking drive past Bloedel Donovan Park, will! Area ( acres ) 336 max of the lake as people enjoy its recreational.! Month with the people [ 'May ', four primary factors influence the city of )..., Clear throughout the year 2017 ) a safe solo hike, but great. Around 52.5F / 11.4C in Puget Sound is expected to be constant [ 'June ' four. 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