(Note: The number of sites used to calculate the quarterly averages increased from four to eight in 2012 (vertical dotted line). 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 in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. The coldest month is January with an water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. Generally, these are activities such as underground pipe installation and power pole installation and do not apply to residential development which requires a building permit. 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. 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). Clean water. 43.9, A 3 minute walk from my house, it is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest. Whilst sea temperatures for Bellingham are as accurate as current data allows, there may be slight local and regional variations depending on conditions. Fishing opportunities include resident Kokanee, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, and Yellow Perch. Policies and Notices, U.S. Department of the Interior | The most recent occurrence was in 2015, followed by warmer than usual, but less extreme temperatures in 2016. * We've detected you're using a mobile device. The city's Lake Whatcom Reservoir Property Acquisition Program has purchased 2,208 acres at a cost of $32 million and another 8,000 acres have been protected from logging since the DNR reconveyed the land to the county for parks and recreation. 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). Are fishing boats with 2 cycle engines allowed ? 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. The city is already in the process of building a new $15 million water pretreatment system that should be online in 2018 (Wohlfeil, 2015). format: '#C'}, 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. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 44.4F / 6.9C. RACE INFO. Lake Samish's current water temperature is 38F Todays forecast is, Rain throughout the day. Rainfall Amounts a half inch to one inch possible. 12.1, A community forum on government, environmental issues and media. Bluegreen bacteria (Cyanobacteria) populations remain high in all three basins and seem to have stabilized (see Figure 5). 61.7, Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. 4.3],]); 39.4, Wells Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Stormwater from development must be dispersed using certain methods (splash blocks, dispersion trenches, etc.) ['May', Studying water temperature The temperature on the day we were sampling was 17 to 20C (62 - 68F). The lake is divided into three basins. The City of Seattle is in the State of Washington and home to Lake Washington in King County. WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. about Lake Whatcom because the lake is the drinking water supply for the COB and some residents that live near the lake. The water body is stratified for part of the year (late spring through mid-fall) and mixed during the rest. The City works closely with the Western Washington University Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS) to monitor water quality trends in Lake Whatcom. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. 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. Full Dispersion is a method in which no more than 10% of site is covered with impervious surface and 65% of the site is kept in a forest or native condition. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) in length and 1 mile (1.6 km) in width at its widest. Lake Whatcom drains into Bellingham Bay by way of Whatcom Creek. Go back. 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. Winds are out of the N at 5mph, with wind gusts of 9mph. 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. One look at the lake and its watershed would convey to the casual observer that it is more of a recreational destination and resort area rather than a drinking water source for all of Bellingham and half of Whatcom County. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. 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. All of these tributaries and the area surrounding them make up the 36,000-acre Lake Whatcom watershed. Yes, it is possible to have both. I have also heard questions about the potability of the water. Four species have been illegally introduced: brown bullhead, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. 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. 10], 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. Meetings Customers are encouraged to attend meetings and share their views with the Commissioners on the second and last Wednesday of each month. Please refer to the code or speak to a watershed staff member for further information. Most of the area surrounding the lake was extensively logged by the end of the 19th century. 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. 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. 66.7, Full Dispersion per BMP T5.30 of the 2012 DOE Manual (Volume V, Chapter 5, pages 5-30 through 5-38). The marine chart shows depth and hydrology of Lake Whatcom on the map, which is located in the Washington state (Whatcom). temperature is around 65.8F / 18.8C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Winds are out of the N at 12mph, with wind gusts of 30mph. 1-Day 3-Day 5-Day. Latest Lake Temperatures. 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). In the 1850s came the first known settlement of Westerners on Lake Whatcom. 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. ['December', 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. 38.8, 1: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, 21.6, City Hall210 Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 (360) [email protected]. 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. City Hall210 Lottie StreetBellingham, WA 98225+1 (360) [email protected], 2021 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May 2022), 2020 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May 2021), 2019 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May 2020), 2018 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF April 2019), 2017 Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF May2018), Drinking Water Quality Frequently Asked Questions (PDF), Source Water and Treatment Trends (PDF 2005), Western Washington Universitys Institute for Watershed Studies website, Lake Whatcom Water Quality Improvement Project (TMDL) (Department of Ecology website, TMDL Study Findings (Department of Ecology publication) (PDF), Focus on Lake Whatcom TMDL Fact Sheet (Department of Ecology publication) (PDF). 4, 8.4, What people may not know is that Lake Whatcom provides drinking water to more than 95,000 residents including the entire City of Bellingham. 13.9], Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. 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. Lake Whatcom watershed and sub-basins (Matthews et al., 2017). 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. 41.4, The graph below shows the range of monthly Bellingham water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Manthey's Country Mobile Home Park, Whatcom County, Washington, United States - The ideal weather forecast for the next 14 days. The Lake is also surrounded by magnificent beautiful homes to see, among them being Bill Gates home. This stratification is more pronounced in Basin 3 where water is deepest. ['January', 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 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. The summer weather makes the Lake very conducive for swimming with the water temperatures ranging around 70F during the summer months. It's the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in Bellingham, as well as Whatcom County. Drive over Alabama Hill to the Silver Beach area. This lake supplies water for over 60,000 . Today's Details. 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. 4.1, Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. var chart = new google.visualization.LineChart(chart_waterF); The lowest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. If asked, they may guess that it comes from an underground aquifer or is piped in from some distant source. Displays". }, Graph Plots Open in Graphs. 4.2, The women's restroom was filthy. Emergency fishing rule changes; . Baker to the North. [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. Sea water temperature in Puget Sound is expected to be constant . We never question whether we will have access to clean water, regardless of where we go and what we do in our daily activities because, like so many other communities, we take our water for granted. var options = { All but the most ardent watersports enthusiasts will be thinking of packing up for the winter. General. (2017) indicated that the residual effects from the extremely warm and prolonged summer season in 2015 were still evident through most of 2016. Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. U.S. Geological Survey The model calibration period was from February 14 . Center: 48.740296, -122.346516 When the lake reaches the court-set maximum surface elevation, the city must open the gates on the control dam and spill as much water as possible to avoid flooding lakeside properties. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. I love walking at North Lake Whatcom Trail because you walk right next to the lake for most of the way and it's amazing. July through September total trihalomethane (TTHM) concentrations in the city of Bellinghams water distribution system from 1991 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). Median summer near-surface chlorophyll concentrations over time at each sampling site from 1994 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). 10.2, 49.3, 0: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:0 }, }; District personnel are available around the clock for water or sewer emergencies. 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. 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. 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