Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development, with one large park and several small parks. Controlling the amount of water flowing into Whatcom Creek is necessary as we attempt to provide healthy habitat for Chinook salmon and other fish using the stream. The avg. 1-Day 3-Day 5-Day. Projects, work, or activities that create more than 500 square feet of impervious surface area and/or permeable pavement. To summarize, people have been utilizing the Lake Whatcom watershed since the mid-1800s (Peterson, 2008). [12] There are 31,127 total acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed. 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. Winds are out of the N at 3mph, with wind gusts of 9mph. Bloedel donated 12.5 acres to the city for what would eventually become Bloedel Donovan Park. 1: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, Stormwater from development must be dispersed using certain methods (splash blocks, dispersion trenches, etc.) [4][5] Bellingham is a participant in the Partnership for Safe Water, and the Citys drinking water also meets the higher standards set by this group. The stormwater volume from the project does not exceed the monthly natural stormwater volume as determined by an approved DOE continuous runoff model. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams. Rainfall Amounts a half inch to one inch possible. Land use is primarily residential, with a mix of lake protection program properties and some rural forestry. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Seasonal Clearing Limitations: On parcels within the Lake Padden and Lake Samish watersheds, clearing activities which expose more than 500 sq. Development stormwater runoff does not occur. Lake Whatcom watershed and sub-basins (Matthews et al., 2017). 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. 17.4], 4.3],]); A water quality model of Lake Whatcom, Washington (see Figure 1 and Figure 2) was developed as part of a Total Maximum Daily Load Study for the Washington Department of Ecology. Emergency fishing rule changes; . Data in the 2015/2016 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report by Matthews et al. This lake supplies water for over 60,000 . December is the coolest with 39F / 3.9C average air temperature. Four species have been illegally introduced: brown bullhead, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. Lake Whatcom is the drinking-water source for nearly 100,000 county residents. 60.4, I gets a tad windy out there so if you want to kayak on it, look at the forecast. The amount of water that is available for storage and treatment. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Beautiful at South end versus houses chock to block at noth end. Most of the phosphorus enters the lake through non point sources, such as water runoff from storms in parks and lands surrounding the lake. Please contact the Water Quality Specialists at the CitysLab at (360) 778-7870 for more information. For the past 10 years the City of Bellingham Public Works has received the Partnership for Safe Waters Director Award for commitment to providing safe drinking water.[6]. Current ocean temperature in Puget Sound. Concerns emerged shortly thereafter about potential impacts to drinking water quality caused by the people living in the watershed. Time of day and wind direction may have a temporary local effect as can water flows from neraby rivers. The trail rises through a series of switchbacks, road crossings and short bridges. chart.draw(data, options); Lake Whatcom is 20 sq-km lake located in northwestern Washington at 48.7o N latitude.The morphology of the lake, including its elongate nature and depth, is defined by the lake's glacial origin in a deep bedrock basin. 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). 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). 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. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Many people in our community dont even know where their water comes from except from the end of a faucet. 6.1], Its northern tip is located within the City of Bellingham, and it extends 10 miles south toward Skagit County. 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. We really enjoy walking/biking the Interurban Trail from downtown Bellingham to Boulevard Park and along the water to Fairhaven. var options = { The lowest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. 65.1, air temperature is around 65.8F / 18.8C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Temperature Figure 1. National Water Information System: Web Interface. ft. of soil are not permitted from October 1st through May 31st per WCC 20.80.735(2)(e). County: Whatcom Acreage: 4755.30 ac. The warmest water temperature are in August with around 69.1F / 20.6C. Elevated levels of mercury have been found in fish and sediment sampled from the lake. 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. This combined with sediment oxidation, cause for near or complete anoxic conditions in the deeper levels of the lake. Those metals include phosphorus, mercury, lead, iron, cadmium, zinc, etc. Shoreline access: Good Monthly Lake Erie Temperatures. The end result promises to be clearer water that is then sent to the existing plant for full treatment. Trails close by as well. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. View larger map. 43.9, Maximum Surface Elevation 8.4, The effects on Lake Whatcom were clearly reflected in . 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 6.5, The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 44.4F / 6.9C. A 3 minute walk from my house, it is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest. Four primary factors influence the city's lake level management strategy. Customize table to display other current-condition parameters The Board of Commissioners meets regularly each month in open session. Hope this helps. The second part of the availability equation is the timing and amount of water available from the Middle Fork diversion. 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. Only the southern portion of Basin 3 had chlorophyll concentrations that slightly decreased compared to 2015 data (see Figure 4). curveType: 'function', Lake Whatcom is seasonally managed, with the fishing season . See the results of all 50 ensemble members of the ECMWF model in direct comparison for several parameters. Water temperature in Puget Sound today is 46.8F. Perfect for families with strollers, runners, or walkers like me! It is the drinking water source for over 100,000 Whatcom County residents. Why Are People Recreating in My Drinking Water? 3.9, [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. 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. Turn around and follow the road all the way around the lake. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within three political jurisdictions: the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. It is filled by rain, mountain streams and water diverted from the middle fork of the Nooksack river which comes from the Deming glacier on Mt. General. You will drive past Bloedel Donovan Park. Policies and Notices, U.S. Department of the Interior | High biological activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the bottom water layers of Basins 1 and 2 in the summer. 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. It is approximately 10 miles (16km) in length and 1 mile (1.6km) in width at its widest. Lake Washington is the place to explore during the summer. Min temperature will be -7c / 19f on Fri 10. The marine chart shows depth and hydrology of Lake Whatcom on the map, which is located in the Washington state (Whatcom). RACE GUIDE COURSE PARTNERS WATERTEMPERATURE.NET - Wordwide Water Temperatures. Another important hydrological phenomenon on Lake Whatcom is the occurrence of seiches. In 1946 J.H. Customers are encouraged to attend meetings and share their views with the Commissioners on the second and last Wednesday of each month. July is the month with the lowest precipitation of 0in / 0mm and December with the highest precipitation in a year with 2.4in / 60.3mm. ['November', People tend to leave their poop bags on the trail and that sort of defeats the purpose, don't you think?!! With a high around 46F and the low around 37F. var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); 49.3, Turn left and follow Lake Whatcom Blvd along the lake to the dead end. The estimated residence time of water entering the lake until it leaves is 7.4 years.[9]. On lots within the Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden and Lake Samish watersheds, 65% of the existing tree canopy area is to be retained. ['June', With a high around 53F and the low around 46F. Lake Whatcom (for those newcomers to our area who may not be aware) is the primary drinking water source for about 100,000 residents in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Cold and difficult to stay in except for August. 5: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, This is a good hike for birding. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving. Great fishing for Kokanee, Bass and Perch. 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 Washington is the place to explore during the summer. July 2016 temperature (on left) and dissolved oxygen (on right) profiles with depth compared to 1988 through 2014 minimum/maximum ranges (shaded areas). Meetings are now hybrid, and may be attended in person at the District Office or virtually via the GoTo Platform or phone. 18.7, 4, ['Year', 'Max. Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. How many docks do you count in this photo? The District is presently recruiting for a full-time Maintenance Worker I. . 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. Low DO levels do not directly affect drinking water quality. Today's Details. Blue-Green Bacteria Cyanobacteria 1994 2016. * We've detected you're using a mobile device. 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. Elevation: 312 ft. 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. The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Figure 1. courtesy photo: City of Bellingham. Four primary factors influence the citys lake level management strategy. Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington 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. A total of about 10,000 acres of land has been protected from development in the watershed. The views are similar to being in the SW Alaska area! The demand for drinking water is based on how much water is consumed by City residents and businesses. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Figure 5. Median summer near-surface chlorophyll concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice. 12.1, 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). 18.9, The Lake Whatcom Reservoir is the drinking water source to over 100,000 Whatcom County residents, which is about half the county's population. At its greatest depth, Basin 3 is 328 feet (100m) deep, and is estimated to contain 96% of the lake's total water volume. Fishing resources. 43.7, Graph Plots Open in Graphs. 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. 63.3, It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. For Sale: Single Family home, $1,190,000, 3 Bd, 2 Ba, 2,100 Sqft, $567/Sqft, at 2550 Lake Whatcom Blvd, Bellingham, WA 98226 A small portion is attributed to lawns, gardens, and streets containing some phosphorus. Lake Samish's current water temperature is 38F Todays forecast is, Rain throughout the day. In summer, the top of the lake becomes warmer than the lower layers. Local governments are working hard to study the lake and make wise decisions about its future. 2022. 12.4, 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. ], Aug. 2022. Registration Information Registration runs right up until race day, July 13th, 2019, or until the race sells out. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Are dogs allowed on the beach if they are on a leash? 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!!! Warning: Javascript must be enabled to use all the features on this page! Clean water. Turn left for Acme and the Mt Baker Hwy. Algorithms Can Treat Physician Fallibility. series: { 39.4, If not we'd suggest a thick 5/4mm wetsuit along with some boots and a hood. The measurements for the water temperature in Bellingham, Washington are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. RACE INFO. The road eventually turns to the right toward Hwy 9. The lake holds around 250 billion gallons of water which it receives from 36 different tributaries. Winter is a difficult time to target this species. The lake has been threatened by declining water quality and was put on the state's list of polluted water bodies in 1998. 70.9, With a high around 71F and the low around 37F. This phenomenon is important to the hydrology of the lake. Lake information County: Whatcom Acreage: 4923.60 ac. Since then, the Lake Whatcom Management Team has worked to install storm water runoff treatment systems around the heavily populated areas of the watershed. 39.7, To cope, they hide in the coolest water of the river. [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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Boat rentals add to the enjoyment of this lake. 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. August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 69.1F / 20.6C. var data = google.visualization.arrayToDataTable([ There are approximately 15,000 people living in the Lake Whatcom watershed, with a majority of them living around the northernmost Basin 1 and further west and south around Basin 3 in the Sudden Valley resort community. 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. This lake is, from what I could see, totally surrounded by private residences so I'm not sure what the point of visiting it would really be. 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). You can go a short distance or walk for miles on a very well maintained, flat trail. Windfinder specializes in wind, waves, tides and weather reports & forecasts for wind related sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, sailing, fishing or paragliding. When people are informed of where their drinking water comes from, most are shocked and then outraged. 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. Basin 1, the Silver Beach Basin, is the furthest north, and has a maximum depth of 100 feet (30m). It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. The graph below shows the range of monthly Bellingham water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Lake Whatcom drains into Bellingham Bay by way of Whatcom Creek. 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. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. 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. 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 . Development Permits: Permits may be submitted at any time during the year. However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued prior to June 1. Displays". format: '#F'}, 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 . The downside of relying on treatment processes to clean up source water is that one or more of the steps in the treatment process may become compromised or fail, potentially resulting in thousands of people getting sick before the problem is found. Projects, work, or activities that create more than 1,500 square feet of replaced impervious surface area and/or replaced permeable pavement. Fishing resources. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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 . Basin 2, the Geneva Basin, is the central basin where the drinking water for the city of Bellingham is withdrawn. Whatcom Watch Online thanks PogoZone for hosting our Web site. We are so lucky to live in an area where we can walk out and enjoy the lake from our dock. 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. Implementing mitigation efforts now has become an even higher priority given these data results foreshadow additional impacts to the lake as climate change progresses. If you have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it! These steps produce high quality drinking water that is in full compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The Cougar Dam on the McKenzie River, Oregon Credit: Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers At the Mt Baker Hwy turn left to return toward Bellingham. 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. 39, The NWRO concerns and the listing of Lake Whatcom as impaired for low dissolved oxygen triggered this TMDL study. 59.2, In 1906, the city imposed a stringently enforced ban on swimming in the lake. Page Contact Information: Washington Water Data Maintainer depth (ft) To depth map. Winds are out of the undefined at undefinedmph, with wind gusts of undefinedmph. 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. " Stopped by for a picnic in the park ". Ecology, City and County staff work together to develop a watershed management strategy that will enable Lake Whatcom to safely meet state water quality standards in the future. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. 11-10-019 Publication and Contact Information This report is available on the Department of Ecology's website at 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. Lake Whatcom is considered one of the best places to fish for bass and kokanee near Bellingham. THE WATER WAS CHOPPY ON THE SWIM, THE BIKE HILLIER THAN DESCRIBED AND THE RUN AND THE FOOD WAS THE BEST OF ANY TRIATHLON I'VE EVER DONE. All but the most ardent watersports enthusiasts will be thinking of packing up for the winter. 61.3, ['February', 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%). Is the Water Safe to Drink? Each of us gets up every morning, turns on the water faucet and expects to have clean, fresh water at our disposal. The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Dissolved Oxygen vs. Three species have been introduced to the lake by fisheries authorities: bluegill, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. Go back. threat to person or property, the tree may be removed without review. The surface water may be significantly warmer. 4.1], JURISTICTION PROFILES AND MITIGATION 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. Downspout Full Infiltration per Best Management Practice (BMP) T5.10A of the 2012 DOE Manual (Volume III, Section 3.1.1 and Volume III, Chapter III, Section 3.3.9(A). 10.2, These activities expanded and increased into the 1900s with the population of workers living in the watershed also increasing. 38.8, Why a four stroke motor not allowed on the lake ? google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart); FOIA - WDFW access only, County: Whatcom Bloedel Donovan Park: dogs allowed 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. year round. Alternate names for BellinghamBLI, Bellingham. 927 AM EST Fri Jan 13 2023 The water temperature off Rochester is 39 degrees. 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. 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 summer, watercraft of all shapes and sizes litter the surface of the lake as people enjoy its recreational benefits. Parking was a challenge, but there were a few spots in the shade. But, in winter some lake surfaces can get very . Or turn right to drive toward Mt Baker to see more communities. A 20102014 management program work plan for Lake Whatcom was approved by the councils of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District (formerly Water District 10. Biological productivity in the lake continues to be high in Basins 1 and 2 and in the northern portion of Basin 3 at levels equal to or exceeding maximum levels measured between 1988 and 2014. 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. "By the same token, we don't control the weather." A few winters ago, soggy conditions led to multiple . 43, Welcome To Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District The District's service area includes Geneva, Sudden Valley and the North Shore of Lake Whatcom. 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!). U.S. Geological Survey Love this lake, 9 miles long and 1 mile wide, up to 360 deep! Calibration focused on model predictions of hydrodynamics (flow and water level), temperature, and water quality. 66, 15.3, The northwest end of the lake lies within the city of Bellingham and 22 small watersheds drain into the lake. Latest Lake Temperatures. The most recent occurrence was in 2015, followed by warmer than usual, but less extreme temperatures in 2016. The water will feel cold. 39.6,
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