The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Figure 1. 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. 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. 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. 3.8], 1-Day 3-Day 5-Day. Drive over Alabama Hill to the Silver Beach area. 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. [1] Land use in Basin 3 is composed of scattered residential development, mostly in the community of Sudden Valley, as well as rural and commercial forestry. U.S. Geological Survey 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). 4.2, 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). The effects on Lake Whatcom were clearly reflected in . Note: WCC 20.51.420(1) contains a complete list of activities that are exempt from the stormwater facility requirement. Studying water temperature The temperature on the day we were sampling was 17 to 20C (62 - 68F). 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. We've kayaked on it and you can paddle forever and not get to the end! Since then, the Lake Whatcom Management Team has worked to install storm water runoff treatment systems around the heavily populated areas of the watershed. 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. 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. Center: 48.740296, -122.346516 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. This is a big lake that is popular with the people. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Removing dissolved forms of phosphorus from entering the lake remains problematic. 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. Lake Whatcom basin was carved by a glacier over a mile thick. The lake holds around 250 billion gallons of water which it receives from 36 different tributaries. Projects, work, or activities that create more than 1,500 square feet of replaced impervious surface area and/or replaced permeable pavement. Lake Washington water temperature by month F C Lake Washington water temperature by month The highest water temperature will be reached in August with around 69.1F / 20.6C. 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. Lake information. The health of this tremendously important resource is declining, and at a pace that is faster than expected. 6.1], There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. 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. 53.8, In 2008 the DOE estimated that in order to achieve acceptable levels of DO, impervious/run off surfaces need to be returned to pre-1988 levels. 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. 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. The maximum surface elevation of the lake was set by a court order in the 1960s. Air Temperature 36F High: 47F Low: 36F Wind 5 MPH Gust: 7 mph Bearing: N Water Temperature 36 F Weather Details Average Wind 6 mph At Hwy 9, turn right for Skagit County. People tend to leave their poop bags on the trail and that sort of defeats the purpose, don't you think?!! The summer weather makes the Lake very conducive for swimming with the water temperatures ranging around 70F during the summer months. about real-time data are available with the "Predefined Air Temperature undefinedF High: undefinedF Low: undefinedF Wind MPH Gust: undefined mph Bearing: undefined 65.7, 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. The second part of the availability equation is the timing and amount of water available from the Middle Fork diversion. What the Data Show 5. IWS provides detailed annual reports (PDF). 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. Figure 4. I have also heard questions about the potability of the water. 18.9, This is a good hike for birding. The hottest avg. Data in the 2015/2016 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report by Matthews et al. Meetings are now hybrid, and may be attended in person or virtually. 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. 59.5, 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 97% of travelers recommend this experience. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. This is the wind, wave and weather forecast for Alabama Hill / Lake Whatcom in Washington, United States of America. See the results of all 50 ensemble members of the ECMWF model in direct comparison for several parameters. 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. 4920 surface area (acres) 336 max. Very crowded with families. If this [] The City of Seattle is in the State of Washington and home to Lake Washington in King County. 41.4, Concerns emerged shortly thereafter about potential impacts to drinking water quality caused by the people living in the watershed. Few, however, would guess that it comes from Lake Whatcom just a few miles east of downtown Bellingham. 18.4, Acreage: 4923.60 ac. Water temperature in Puget Sound today is 46.8F. If asked, they may guess that it comes from an underground aquifer or is piped in from some distant source. 5.2, ['March', Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams. ], Or turn right to drive toward Mt Baker to see more communities. [3], As a drinking water source, Lake Whatcom Reservoir's quality is in compliance for all tested chemicals, bacteria and turbidity. If not we'd suggest a thick 5/4mm wetsuit along with some boots and a hood. . 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 rises through a series of switchbacks, road crossings and short bridges. 11-10-019 Publication and Contact Information This report is available on the Department of Ecology's website at 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. 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. Implementing mitigation efforts now has become an even higher priority given these data results foreshadow additional impacts to the lake as climate change progresses. var 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. Stop occasionally to enjoy the views. Customers are encouraged to attend meetings and share their views with the Commissioners on the second and last Wednesday of each month. 10.2, Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington Monthly Lake Erie Temperatures. Snow level near 4000 feet. Min temperature will be -7c / 19f on Fri 10. It has also been recommended that Lake Whatcom be placed on the 303(d) list for impairments The coldest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. ', 'Max. Manthey's Country Mobile Home Park, Whatcom County, Washington, United States - The ideal weather forecast for the next 14 days. Bluegreen bacteria (Cyanobacteria) populations remain high in all three basins and seem to have stabilized (see Figure 5). Air Temperature undefinedF High: undefinedF Low: undefinedF Wind MPH The amount of water that is available for storage and treatment. 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. The lake is divided into three basins. Lake Waco's current water temperature is 52F Todays forecast is, Clear throughout the day. Total Trihalomethane January through December 1991 through 2016. 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. " Stopped by for a picnic in the park ". Dispersion refers to BMPs which disperse stormwater over the ground surface so that surrounding plants and vegetation can utilize stormwater. vAxes: { 0: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, 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. Seasonal Clearing Limitations: On parcels within the Lake Padden and Lake Samish watersheds, clearing activities which expose more than 500 sq. 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. The views are similar to being in the SW Alaska area! Jul. 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. After the merger of Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham and Fairhaven towns into the city of Bellingham in 1903, Lake Whatcom became the primary source for domestic water (Peterson, 2008). ['May', (2017) indicated that the residual effects from the extremely warm and prolonged summer season in 2015 were still evident through most of 2016. 6.5, 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. 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!!! Lake Whatcom is a large natural lake in Whatcom County. Beautiful at South end versus houses chock to block at noth end. We decided to make a day trip from Vancouver BC to see what was over in the Whatcom Falls area. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Beautiful ocean views! 4: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, Policies and Notices, U.S. Department of the Interior | Three species have been introduced to the lake by fisheries authorities: bluegill, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. FOIA Accessibility A: Water temperature is expected to be between 60 - 70 degrees. "By the same token, we don't control the weather." A few winters ago, soggy conditions led to multiple . In 1906, the city imposed a stringently enforced ban on swimming in the lake. Good for the Resident, not so much for the Tourist. 43.9, ['Year', 'Max. At its greatest depth, Basin 3 is 328 feet (100m) deep, and is estimated to contain 96% of the lake's total water volume. When the weather is warm, take a picnic with you and find a spot - Bloedel or North Lake Whatcom Trail, or anywhere that is public property, and enjoy! Bloedel Donovan Park: dogs allowed 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. year round. Four degrees doesn't seem like much difference to us, but fish can be sensitive to even a 0.1C difference. 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. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. This data is unofficial. With a high around 47F and the low around 36F. 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. Perfect for families with strollers, runners, or walkers like me! If you have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it! depth (ft) To depth map. The water will feel cold. Coordinates: 48.7194, -122.308. Find our. }; 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. Drive on the residential streets to continue close to the Lake. Lake Whatcom was placed on the Environmental Protection Agency's 303(d) list for impaired water bodies in 1998, due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, which are directly related to the amount of phosphorus Lake Whatcom receives. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. 50.4, The estimated residence time of water entering the lake until it leaves is 7.4 years.[9]. Baker Lake Weather Forecast, WA - WillyWeather F 1 10:04 pm 29 Nov Relative Humidity 100% Rain Today 0.1in (0in Last Hour) Wind E 16.1mph (23mph Gusts) Dew Point 37.4 F Pressure 999.3 hPa Hottest 88 F Saipan Island, Saipan International Airport, AK Coldest -32.1 F Northway, Northway Airport, AK Windiest 52.9mph Monofilament recovery and recycling program. 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. Fishing opportunities include resident Kokanee, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, and Yellow Perch. URL: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/current?site_tp_cd=LK&PARAmeter_cd=STATION_NM,62614,62615,00065,00062,DATETIME Land use is primarily residential, with a mix of lake protection program properties and some rural forestry. Most of the phosphorus enters the lake through non point sources, such as water runoff from storms in parks and lands surrounding the lake. 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. Figure 2. Lake Whatcom is a reservoir of drinking water for the city of Bellingham, and its level is actively managed by control gates. Four primary factors influence the citys lake level management strategy. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within three political jurisdictions: the . I love living by it! Meetings are now hybrid, and may be attended in person at the District Office or virtually via the GoTo Platform or phone. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States.It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 69.1F / 20.6C. ft. of soil are not permitted from October 1st through May 31st per WCC 20.80.735(2)(e). Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Temperature. 54.3, The City works closely with the Western Washington University Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS) to monitor water quality trends in Lake Whatcom. IF YOUR METER IS CURRENTLY LOCKED, DO NOT PAY ONLINE. 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. I gets a tad windy out there so if you want to kayak on it, look at the forecast. 21.7, The top layer of water (epilimnion) is warmed by the sun and sits atop the metalimnion (also a thermocline). The total area of the Lake Whatcom Watershed is 142 square kilometers (55sqmi). 100% of travelers recommend this experience. On lots within the Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden and Lake Samish watersheds, 65% of the existing tree canopy area is to be retained. If you would rather, cycle to experience slow leisurely sightseeing. 1: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:0, lineWidth: 8 }, Current ocean temperature in Puget Sound. 18.7, Since warm water is less dense that colder water, it stays on top of the lake surface. Maximum Surface Elevation Lists of, maps for, and information 59.2, The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Dissolved Oxygen vs. 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. 17.4], 40.8, 42.8, Four primary factors influence the city's lake level management strategy. Lake Whatcom's current water temperature is 36F Todays forecast is, Mostly cloudy throughout the day. II. (Note: The number of sites used to calculate the quarterly averages increased from four to eight in 2012 (vertical dotted line). Get to the end Padden and lake Samish watersheds, Clearing activities which expose more than 500.... See more communities 2 ) ( e ) and Yellow Perch and Wednesday. 10.2, Title: USGS Current Conditions for Washington Monthly lake Erie temperatures sort of defeats purpose. With the Commissioners on the second part of the lake Padden and Samish. 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