39.7, Or turn right to drive toward Mt Baker to see more communities. Water is withdrawn from Basin 2 and processed through a series of treatment steps at the facility that include filtering, adding chemicals to remove smaller suspended particles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. IWS provides detailed annual reports (PDF). Since then, the Lake Whatcom Management Team has worked to install storm water runoff treatment systems around the heavily populated areas of the watershed. Please dial (360) 734-9224 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. Find our. This is the wind, wave and weather forecast for Alabama Hill / Lake Whatcom in Washington, United States of America. The Lake Whatcom Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading. Lake Samish's current water temperature is 38F Todays forecast is, Rain throughout the day. courtesy photo: City of Bellingham. 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 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. 43.7, Bald eagles abound. Most of the phosphorus enters the lake through non point sources, such as water runoff from storms in parks and lands surrounding the lake. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Go back. 18.7, 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. 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. 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. 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. Lake Whatcom is a large natural lake in Whatcom County. 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. 15.1, Turn left and follow Lake Whatcom Blvd along the lake to the dead end. Very crowded with families. ['July', 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. 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 . At Hwy 9, turn right for Skagit County. 38.8, temperature is around 65.8F / 18.8C, August is the month with the highest temperature. var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); Winds are out of the N at 5mph, with wind gusts of 7mph. High biological activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the bottom water layers of Basins 1 and 2 in the summer. A: Water temperature is expected to be between 60 - 70 degrees. Note: WCC 20.51.420(1) contains a complete list of activities that are exempt from the stormwater facility requirement. Fishing, boating and swimming activities on the lake increased as priorities and interests changed. 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. A seiche is the slow sloshing of water from one side of the lake to the other, due to winds in Lake Whatcoms case. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. The data also have revealed, however, that warmer summer temperatures with longer warmer seasonal periods accelerate biological productivity causing severe deleterious chemical changes to water quality. series: { The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 44.4F / 6.9C. View larger map. The summer weather makes the Lake very conducive for swimming with the water temperatures ranging around 70F during the summer months. 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. Air Temperature undefinedF High: undefinedF Low: undefinedF Wind MPH Gust: undefined mph Bearing: undefined This is a big lake that is popular with the people. Studying water temperature The temperature on the day we were sampling was 17 to 20C (62 - 68F). Min temperature will be -7c / 19f on Fri 10. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within three political jurisdictions: the . Beautiful ocean views! 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]. My son has gone swimming with his friends in the summer at Bloedel but it's too cold for me! In 1906, the city imposed a stringently enforced ban on swimming in the lake. 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. Windfinder specializes in wind, waves, tides and weather reports & forecasts for wind related sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, sailing, fishing or paragliding. Wells Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 54.3, FOIA The warmest water temperature are in August with around 69.1F / 20.6C. With a high around 47F and the low around 36F. Located just east of Bellingham. Lake Whatcom nautical chart. Latest Lake Temperatures. 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. Beautiful at South end versus houses chock to block at noth end. The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Dissolved Oxygen vs. The Cougar Dam on the McKenzie River, Oregon Credit: Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within three political jurisdictions: the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. 21.7, 16.5, Monthly Lake Erie Temperatures. It has also been recommended that Lake Whatcom be placed on the 303(d) list for impairments 21.6, Rainfall Amounts a half inch to one inch possible. 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. RACE GUIDE COURSE PARTNERS 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. ['April', 7.6, Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. 4.1, 6.6], When people are informed of where their drinking water comes from, most are shocked and then outraged. Local governments are working hard to study the lake and make wise decisions about its future. 2022. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. 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. Lake Whatcom's current water temperature is 36F Todays forecast is, Rain throughout the day. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries. The most recent occurrence was in 2015, followed by warmer than usual, but less extreme temperatures in 2016. Baker. RACE INFO. Removing dissolved forms of phosphorus from entering the lake remains problematic. The coldest month is January with an water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. Boating access and other amenities are available at Bloedel Donovan Park (City of Bellingham) anda WDFW access area. 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). Currently, none of the fifteen species identified by the state of Washington as "most unwanted" are found in the lake. 59.2, Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Perhaps the eastern shore has some places. Page Last Modified: 2023-01-18 10:04:59 EST 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%). ', 'AVG', 'Min.' With a high around 46F and the low around 37F. Invasive species of particular threat to Lake Whatcom include zebra mussel, New Zealand mud snail, Asian carp, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). The end result promises to be clearer water that is then sent to the existing plant for full treatment. Winter is a difficult time to target this species. Maximum Surface Elevation Aging septic systems serving development in the watershed possibly could leach phosphorus into the water body. Chanterelle Trail in Lake Whatcom County Park System. 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. Jul. Fishing resources. 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