38.8, The water body is stratified for part of the year (late spring through mid-fall) and mixed during the rest. 45.7, 3.8], ['January', Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. 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. Lake Whatcom's current water temperature is 36F Todays forecast is, Mostly cloudy throughout the day. Located just east of Bellingham. At the Mt Baker Hwy turn left to return toward Bellingham. 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. The coldest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. In summer, the top of the lake becomes warmer than the lower layers. Whatcom Boat Inspection Hotline (360) 778-7975 City of Bellingham - Public Works Teagan Ward, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator teward@cob.org Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board Laurel Baldwin, Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board Coordinator LBaldwin@co.whatcom.wa.us Send us comments or feedback on the watercraft inspection program. Median summer near-surface chlorophyll concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). The more degraded the lake water, however, the more treatment is needed to clean it to levels safe for drinking. IF YOUR METER IS CURRENTLY LOCKED, DO NOT PAY ONLINE. You will find restaurants along the way. 7.6, Go back. ['Year', 'Max. The summer weather makes the Lake very conducive for swimming with the water temperatures ranging around 70F during the summer months. Great fishing for Kokanee, Bass and Perch. 11-10-019 Publication and Contact Information This report is available on the Department of Ecology's website at We make coffee with it, prepare food, brush our teeth, take a shower, wash dishes, flush toilets and go about our daily business. On lots within the Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden and Lake Samish watersheds, 65% of the existing tree canopy area is to be retained. The Lake Whatcom Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This phenomenon is important to the hydrology of the lake. Surface water temperatures were warmer than historic values throughout the lake with July and November temperatures significantly higher than the highest ever measured in the 1988 through 2014 record. 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. 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. 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. 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. Perhaps the eastern shore has some places. This combined with sediment oxidation, cause for near or complete anoxic conditions in the deeper levels of the lake. The views are similar to being in the SW Alaska area! 49.3, What the Data Mean 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 lowest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. 66, 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. 59.2, Lake Whatcom (Bellingham) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Bellingham, Hotels near SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention, Hotels near Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA), Motels near Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA), Hotels near Western Washington University, Game & Entertainment Centers in Bellingham, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Bellingham, Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures - Day Tours, Chuckanut Bay Distillery: Tickets & Tours, Galbraith Mountain Trails: Tickets & Tours, Bellingham International Airport One Way Transfer: Tickets & Tours, Jeep Safari & Caravan Mule in Tomori Holy Mount Berat Tours (ARG), Kathmandu to Chitwan or Chitwan to Kathmandu by Tourist bus Ticket Service, Pottery workshop with traditional potters, Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Phoenix with Breakfast, Kayak Route Cliffs of Nerja and Maro - Cueva Lobo to Cascada de Maro, Route of Art, Cheese and Wine Tour 5 hrs Experiencias Rio Queretaro, Healdsburg Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Guided Walking Tour, Istanbul New Year 2022 Dinner and Party Cruise on the Bosphorus, *PINNACLE PERCH* The Sunny Heart of Gate 2Golf, Beaches, Pools, Trails, Tennis, mbrace nature in this bright home that has gorgeous views to the lake and forest, View all hotels near Lake Whatcom on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Lake Whatcom on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Lake Whatcom on Tripadvisor. 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). 5: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, Aug. 2022. Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It changes color depending on the sky and is so picturesque with the snowy mountains in the background. 12.4, 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 total area of the Lake Whatcom Watershed is 142 square kilometers (55sqmi). 10.2, 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. The lake is a popular area for motor boating, swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities. Water temperature in Puget Sound today is 46.8F. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. }, Bloedel donated 12.5 acres to the city for what would eventually become Bloedel Donovan Park. google.visualization.events.addListener(chart, 'ready', function () {chart_waterF.innerHTML= '';}); 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? Concerns emerged shortly thereafter about potential impacts to drinking water quality caused by the people living in the watershed. 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. 4.3],]); There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Full Dispersion per BMP T5.30 of the 2012 DOE Manual (Volume V, Chapter 5, pages 5-30 through 5-38). about Lake Whatcom because the lake is the drinking water supply for the COB and some residents that live near 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. 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. 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. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); 54.3, It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) in length and 1 mile (1.6 km) in width at its widest. The amount of water that is available for storage and treatment. 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. Good place to take family swimming, nice park. The Districts service area includes Geneva, Sudden Valley and the North Shore of Lake Whatcom. 4, 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". Fishing opportunities include resident Kokanee, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, and Yellow Perch. Are fishing boats with 2 cycle engines allowed ? 61.3, 17.4], Please contact the Water Quality Specialists at the CitysLab at (360) 778-7870 for more information. Projects, work, or activities that create more than 1,500 square feet of replaced impervious surface area and/or replaced permeable pavement. The District is presently recruiting for a full-time Maintenance Worker I. 5.2, ['August', Baker to the North. Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. These average ocean temperatures for Bellingham are calculated from several years of archived data. Currently, none of the fifteen species identified by the state of Washington as "most unwanted" are found in the lake. However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued prior to June 1. 12.1, 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. Return and drive toward Hwy 9. A: Water temperature is expected to be between 60 - 70 degrees. NOAA Fisheries, a federal agency, has listed Puget Sound Chinook on the Endangered Species Act list as a Threatened Species. All tributaries and that portion of the lake between Electric Avenue Bridge and the outlet dam are closed to fishing at all times. The Lake is also surrounded by magnificent beautiful homes to see, among them being Bill Gates home. Graph Plots Open in Graphs. Note: WCC 20.51.420(1) contains a complete list of activities that are exempt from the stormwater facility requirement. Some brown trout. (Note: The number of sites used to calculate the quarterly averages increased from four to eight in 2012 (vertical dotted line). curveType: 'function', 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. Since the 1960s, annual monitoring of its water quality has been conducted with samples collected from each of the three basins of the lake (see map). Lake Whatcom basin was carved by a glacier over a mile thick. Baker. Those metals include phosphorus, mercury, lead, iron, cadmium, zinc, etc. Sea water temperature in Puget Sound is expected to be constant . You've probably noticed this when swimming in a lake in summer - your shoulders feel like they're in a warm bath while your feet are chilled. Four primary factors influence the city's lake level management strategy. 57, Four degrees doesn't seem like much difference to us, but fish can be sensitive to even a 0.1C difference. 61.7, We've kayaked on it and you can paddle forever and not get to the end! The end result promises to be clearer water that is then sent to the existing plant for full treatment. [8], Lake Whatcom is a monomictic lake. Anyway back on topic, if you haven't visited the third largest lake in Washington State, Lake Whatcom is the place to go! Beautiful ocean views! 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. Temperature Figure 1. . more. Whatcom Watch Online thanks PogoZone for hosting our Web site. Watershed Challenges Stormwater runoff, nutrients, aquatic invasive species and more It is approximately 10 miles (16km) in length and 1 mile (1.6km) in width at its widest. 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 . Fishing resources. Address: 2219 Rimland Drive #301 Bellingham, WA 98226 Phone: +1 360-339-4788 Email: info@lakewhatcomtriathlon.com. Here are the guidelines for a popular Lake Whatcom Park. [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. temperature is around 65.8F / 18.8C, August is the month with the highest temperature. People tend to leave their poop bags on the trail and that sort of defeats the purpose, don't you think?!! Maximum Surface Elevation 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. Drinking Water Quality Data in the 2015/2016 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report by Matthews et al. Jul. . Monofilament recovery and recycling program. 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. Four primary factors influence the citys lake level management strategy. 927 AM EST Fri Jan 13 2023 The water temperature off Rochester is 39 degrees. 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. Few, however, would guess that it comes from Lake Whatcom just a few miles east of downtown Bellingham. Temperatures in Basins 1 and 2 were relatively warm, but within historic ranges. Winds are out of the N at 12mph, with wind gusts of 30mph. Invasive species of particular threat to Lake Whatcom include zebra mussel, New Zealand mud snail, Asian carp, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). What has been done The lake is divided into three basins. Lake Whatcom's current water temperature is 39 F. Today's forecast is: Rain throughout the day., with a high around 45 F and a low around 36 F. Winds are out of the SSW at 11 mph with gusts of 46 mph . Am I in the District? The Board of Commissioners meets regularly each month in open session. The trail rises through a series of switchbacks, road crossings and short bridges. The lake has been threatened by declining water quality and was put on the state's list of polluted water bodies in 1998. 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. 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. ft. of soil are not permitted from October 1st through May 31st per WCC 20.80.735(2)(e). Why Are People Recreating in My Drinking Water? Elevation: 274 ft. Center: 48.665125, -122.385318 Open in Google Maps. High biological activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the bottom water layers of Basins 1 and 2 in the summer. 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. LAKE WHATCOM TRIATHLON. To cope, they hide in the coolest water of the river. Latest Lake Temperatures. 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. 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. . 16.3], 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. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams. Lake Whatcom is a large lake covering about 5,000 acres in southwestern Whatcom County. Development stormwater runoff does not occur. Basin 3 of the lake was still unusually warm in June and remained close to historic maximum levels through September (see Figure 1). Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. April Markiewicz is a toxicologist and the associate director at the Institute of Environmental Toxicology at Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University, as well as president of the People for Lake Whatcom Coalition. } 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. Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development, with one large park and several small parks. If this [] View larger map. 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. 927 AM EST Fri Jan 13 2023 The water temperature off Buffalo is 38 degrees. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Lake Whatcom is considered one of the best places to fish for bass and kokanee near Bellingham. 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). Coordinates: 48.7194, -122.308. What the Data Show There are no upcoming meetings, please check back soon. Today's Details. temperate climate with warm and dry summer would be the climate here. 40.8, IWS provides detailed annual reports (PDF). Total phosphorus (TP) levels increased in all basins (see Figure 3). weather preparedness ; Whatcom County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan ; SECTION 3. 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 In the 1850s came the first known settlement of Westerners on Lake Whatcom. 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). air temperature is around 65.8F / 18.8C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Winds are out of the undefined at undefinedmph, with wind gusts of undefinedmph. The graph below shows the range of monthly Bellingham water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Bluegreen bacteria (Cyanobacteria) populations remain high in all three basins and seem to have stabilized (see Figure 5). Both questions have fairly simple answers that belie the complex events and processes that created the conditions that exist today. Since warm water is less dense that colder water, it stays on top of the lake surface. 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. 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. [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. At Hwy 9, turn right for Skagit County. Bald eagles abound. [3], As a drinking water source, Lake Whatcom Reservoir's quality is in compliance for all tested chemicals, bacteria and turbidity. A design by a licensed civil engineer which meets at least one of the following criteria: The design limits the estimated phosphorous loading from stormwater generated by the project to be less than 0.1875 pounds of Phosphorous / acre / year. 39.4, Figure 4. 4920 surface area (acres) 336 max. Lake information County: Whatcom Acreage: 4923.60 ac. Page Contact Information: Washington Water Data Maintainer December is the coolest with 39F / 3.9C average air temperature. 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. I have also heard questions about the potability of the water. This is the wind, wave and weather forecast for Alabama Hill / Lake Whatcom in Washington, United States of America. 8.4, [10] The Department of Health has consumption advisories for smallmouth bass and yellow perch, which can be found at the DOH website. The Lake Whatcom Reservoir is the drinking water source to over 100,000 Whatcom County residents, which is about half the county's population. Development Permits: Permits may be submitted at any time during the year. Very crowded with families. This is a wonderful hike through a temperate rainforest which culminates in a beautiful view. This is a good hike for birding. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Center: 48.740296, -122.346516 Alternate names for BellinghamBLI, Bellingham. But, in winter some lake surfaces can get very . 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. Manthey's Country Mobile Home Park, Whatcom County, Washington, United States - The ideal weather forecast for the next 14 days. Lists of, maps for, and information You will drive past Bloedel Donovan Park. Aging septic systems serving development in the watershed possibly could leach phosphorus into the water body. ['June', 43.9, 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 RACE GUIDE COURSE PARTNERS 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 The health of this tremendously important resource is declining, and at a pace that is faster than expected. ['April', 21.6, The city of Bellingham has invested a lot of money and resources in its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park. WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. Lake Whatcom is the drinking-water source for nearly 100,000 county residents. Lake Whatcom nautical chart. Site Design by Sole Graphics, Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Testing, City of Bellingham Post Point WWTP Solids Management Project. Displays". 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. 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. 13.9], 57.2, 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. The trail ends in 3 miles at a fenced private property. In 1946 J.H. 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. Winds are out of the N at 5mph, with wind gusts of 9mph.

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