series: { 21.7, Why Are People Recreating in My Drinking Water? Stop occasionally to enjoy the views. Turn around and follow the road all the way around the lake. Most of the phosphorus enters the lake through non point sources, such as water runoff from storms in parks and lands surrounding the lake. Baker to the North. 53.8, 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. Min temperature will be -7c / 19f on Fri 10. It is the drinking water source for over 100,000 Whatcom County residents. Development permits may be submitted at any time during the year. 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. Calibration focused on model predictions of hydrodynamics (flow and water level), temperature, and water quality. Concerns emerged shortly thereafter about potential impacts to drinking water quality caused by the people living in the watershed. Winds are out of the N at 3mph, with wind gusts of 9mph. This lake supplies water for over 60,000 . Beautiful at South end versus houses chock to block at noth end. 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 Please contact the Water Quality Specialists at the CitysLab at (360) 778-7870 for more information. 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 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 Whatcom County, Washington, United States. 7.6, The model calibration period was from February 14 . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 71.1, Land use is primarily residential, with a mix of lake protection program properties and some rural forestry. Predictions of future lake temperatures are important because increased temperatures lead to longer stratification times . 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 . Instead, turn left to go to the dead end. To cope, they hide in the coolest water of the river. On parcels within the Lake Whatcom watershed, clearing activities which expose more than 500 square feet of soil are not permitted from October 1 through May 31 per WCC 20.51.410: Development permits may be submitted at any time during the year. Around 1800 the Saquantch were pushed out by the Lummi tribe. The water body is stratified for part of the year (late spring through mid-fall) and mixed during the rest. The city of Bellingham has invested a lot of money and resources in its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park. Rainfall Amounts a half inch to one inch possible. Lake information. 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. Good place to take family swimming, nice park. Wells Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 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. City Hall210 Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 (360) 778-8000info@cob.org. ['December', The road eventually turns to the right toward Hwy 9. U.S. Geological Survey Projects, work, or activities that create more than 1,500 square feet of replaced impervious surface area and/or replaced permeable pavement. Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington }; ['Year', 'Max. "By the same token, we don't control the weather." A few winters ago, soggy conditions led to multiple . 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. It's the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in Bellingham, as well as Whatcom County. The northwest end of the lake lies within the city of Bellingham and 22 small watersheds drain into the lake. Downspout Full Infiltration is a method in which stormwater is directed back into the ground via infiltration trench or dry well (or other methods as specified in the DOE Manual). The lake is divided into three basins. Lake Whatcom is considered one of the best places to fish for bass and kokanee near Bellingham. The trail ends in 3 miles at a fenced private property. The Board of Commissioners meets regularly each month in open session. [10] The Department of Health has consumption advisories for smallmouth bass and yellow perch, which can be found at the DOH website. The stormwater volume from the project does not exceed the monthly natural stormwater volume as determined by an approved DOE continuous runoff model. 43.7, 39.6, In 1906, the city imposed a stringently enforced ban on swimming in the lake. 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). Winds will push water to one side of the lake, causing water levels to rise on one end and lower on the other. *These tide times are estimates based on the nearest accurate location (Bellingham, Washington) and may differ by up to half an hour depending on distance. Policies and Notices, U.S. Department of the Interior | Accessibility Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The first claim of private land was reported for $8. 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. This is the wind, wave and weather forecast for Alabama Hill / Lake Whatcom in Washington, United States of America. Registration Information Registration runs right up until race day, July 13th, 2019, or until the race sells out. Lake Whatcom is a large natural lake in Whatcom County. If you have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it! The fourth primary factor influencing lake management is the outflow into Whatcom Creek. more. 927 AM EST Fri Jan 13 2023 The water temperature off Buffalo is 38 degrees. 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. The demand for drinking water is based on how much water is consumed by City residents and businesses. What the Data Mean 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. The total area of the Lake Whatcom Watershed is 142 square kilometers (55sqmi). Please note, the tide times given are not suitable for navigational purposes. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. Lake Washington is the place to explore during the summer. about Lake Whatcom because the lake is the drinking water supply for the COB and some residents that live near the lake. 14], 61.3, 2012 Department of Ecology (DOE) Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (2012) DOE Manual. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. Are dogs allowed on the beach if they are on a leash? Meetings Customers are encouraged to attend meetings and share their views with the Commissioners on the second and last Wednesday of each month. 927 AM EST Fri Jan 13 2023 The water temperature off Rochester is 39 degrees. There are separate places for swimming, and a boat ramp. In 1946 J.H. The city, county and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer district have been working to reduce phosphorus loading in the lake since the early 1990s. format: '#C'}, ['August', Perhaps the eastern shore has some places. URL: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current?site_tp_cd=LK&PARAmeter_cd=STATION_NM,62614,62615,00065,00062,DATETIME Protective actions to safeguard the lake from human activities were relaxed and eventually forgotten. 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. 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 . 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. 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, boating and swimming activities on the lake increased as priorities and interests changed. National Water Information System: Web Interface. Both questions have fairly simple answers that belie the complex events and processes that created the conditions that exist today. 57, Whilst sea temperatures for Bellingham are as accurate as current data allows, there may be slight local and regional variations depending on conditions. June, July, August, September would be the best time to visit. Dispersion refers to BMPs which disperse stormwater over the ground surface so that surrounding plants and vegetation can utilize stormwater. 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. It has also been recommended that Lake Whatcom be placed on the 303(d) list for impairments 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. 16.3], The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Dissolved Oxygen vs. Air Temperature undefinedF High: undefinedF Low: undefinedF Wind MPH Gust: undefined mph Bearing: undefined 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. This position assists in the maintenance and operation of the Districts water treatment, storage and distribution systems, and the [], Notice of Quorum: Brent Winters Retirement Luncheon November 21, 2022 12:00 p.m. Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer Districts Board of Commissioners [], District is one of four utilities in Washington State receiving award for the Washington State Department of Healths Treatment Optimization Program The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District (District) was [], (360) 734-9224 general.inbox@lwwsd.org 1220 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98229, 2022 Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. The following are some of the more important water quality indicators reported in the 2014/2015 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report: I. 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. Jul. } FOIA Anyway back on topic, if you haven't visited the third largest lake in Washington State, Lake Whatcom is the place to go! 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. to the native or forested area. Total phosphorus (TP) levels increased in all basins (see Figure 3). 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. Turn left and follow Lake Whatcom Blvd along the lake to the dead end. 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. This stratification is more pronounced in Basin 3 where water is deepest. Waterski, swim, kayak - we do it all. 11-10-019 Publication and Contact Information This report is available on the Department of Ecology's website at The trail rises through a series of switchbacks, road crossings and short bridges. 4.9, Time of day and wind direction may have a temporary local effect as can water flows from neraby rivers. 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. Utility bills are for water and sewer services received in the previous two months and are mailed out bi-monthly. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice. How many docks do you count in this photo? Lake Whatcom watershed and sub-basins (Matthews et al., 2017). Baker. Fishing opportunities include resident Kokanee, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, and Yellow Perch. 70.9, Impaired Lake Water, But Clean Drinking Water? 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. 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. 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. Development stormwater runoff does not occur. 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.) Most of the area surrounding the lake was extensively logged by the end of the 19th century. Many people in our community dont even know where their water comes from except from the end of a faucet. undefined's current water temperature is undefinedF Todays forecast is, undefined With a high around undefinedF and the low around undefinedF. However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued prior to June 1. 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. Median summer near-surface total phosphorus concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). The 5,000-acre lake's western extremity backs up to the city, with access available through a city park. Figure 6. You can go a short distance or walk for miles on a very well maintained, flat trail. Hope this helps. 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. 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]. }. Large coal mining operations also existed near the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Mining Company closed down. If not we'd suggest a thick 5/4mm wetsuit along with some boots and a hood. FYI: Lake Whatcom Water Alert November 16, 2021 Community Announcements , Weather Alerts Sudden Valley Administration Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District has issued an alert regarding water quality for residents who pull water directly from Lake Whatcom. Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development, with one large park and several small parks. The health of this tremendously important resource is declining, and at a pace that is faster than expected. Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. 38.8, 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. We decided to make a day trip from Vancouver BC to see what was over in the Whatcom Falls area. 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