lake whatcom water temperature

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. Address: 2219 Rimland Drive #301 Bellingham, WA 98226 Phone: +1 360-339-4788 Email: [email protected]. } Am I in the District? Aug. 2022. 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. 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. 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! The estimated residence time of water entering the lake until it leaves is 7.4 years.[9]. Elevation: 312 ft. We are so lucky to live in an area where we can walk out and enjoy the lake from our dock. 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. 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). 6.5, The trail rises through a series of switchbacks, road crossings and short bridges. See the results of all 50 ensemble members of the ECMWF model in direct comparison for several parameters. August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 69.1F / 20.6C. Based on our historical data over a period of ten years, the warmest water in this day in Puget Sound was recorded in 2017 and was 48.4F, and the coldest was recorded in 2012 at 45.3F. Beautiful ocean views! 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. 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]. The earliest known settlement was a Northwest Coast Salish village at the south end of the lake, occupied by the Saquantch tribe. depth (ft) To depth map. Very crowded with families. Winds are out of the N at 12mph, with wind gusts of 30mph. Privacy 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. At Hwy 9, turn right for Skagit County. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. 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. This photo of Basin 1 was taken in 1998. 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. 1-Day 3-Day 5-Day. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Water Quality Reports from previous years are available upon request. If you have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it! 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. 47.1, The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. What has been done My son has gone swimming with his friends in the summer at Bloedel but it's too cold for me! 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 . Bald eagles abound. The end result promises to be clearer water that is then sent to the existing plant for full treatment. (Note: The number of sites used to calculate the quarterly averages increased from four to eight in 2012 (vertical dotted line). The lake holds around 250 billion gallons of water which it receives from 36 different tributaries. Graph Plots Open in Graphs. WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. 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. It is the drinking water source for over 100,000 Whatcom County residents. The following are some of the more important water quality indicators reported in the 2014/2015 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report: I. 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. ', 'Max. Open in Google Maps. Elevation: 274 ft. Center: 48.665125, -122.385318 Open in Google Maps. Local governments are working hard to study the lake and make wise decisions about its future. Lake information County: Whatcom Acreage: 4923.60 ac. Parking was a challenge, but there were a few spots in the shade. Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development, with one large park and several small parks. At its greatest depth, Basin 3 is 328 feet (100m) deep, and is estimated to contain 96% of the lake's total water volume. Lake Whatcom watershed and sub-basins (Matthews et al., 2017). 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. Please contact the Water Quality Specialists at the CitysLab at (360) 778-7870 for more information. [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. It has also been recommended that Lake Whatcom be placed on the 303(d) list for impairments 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. Monthly Lake Erie Temperatures. Development permits may be submitted at any time during the year. Utility bills are for water and sewer services received in the previous two months and are mailed out bi-monthly. Both questions have fairly simple answers that belie the complex events and processes that created the conditions that exist today. 3.8], Time of day and wind direction may have a temporary local effect as can water flows from neraby rivers. Basin 1, the Silver Beach Basin, is the furthest north, and has a maximum depth of 100 feet (30m). This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. LAKE WHATCOM TRIATHLON. High biological activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the bottom water layers of Basins 1 and 2 in the summer. All the more reason that the city, county and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, as well as the people living in the watershed, must continue their efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate phosphorus loading to 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 Cougar Dam on the McKenzie River, Oregon Credit: Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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. 70.9, The graph below shows the range of monthly Bellingham water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Another important hydrological phenomenon on Lake Whatcom is the occurrence of seiches. chart.draw(data, options); Registration Information Registration runs right up until race day, July 13th, 2019, or until the race sells out. 19.3, 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. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 44.4F / 6.9C. The total area of the Lake Whatcom Watershed is 142 square kilometers (55sqmi). 1. Impaired Lake Water, But Clean Drinking Water? 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. 12.1, vAxes: { 0: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, Are dogs allowed on the beach if they are on a leash? 3.8], Beautiful at South end versus houses chock to block at noth end. [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. Terrell Lake Click for Navionics/Google interactive map Friday, Aug 12 Hi: 74 F Lo: 59 F Today Mostly Sunny Precip: 5% Tonight Partly Cloudy Precip: 6% Friday, September 22nd, 2006 By Derek Parker Water Temp: 68 Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility) I don't know Bellingham very well, but our fave stops are Cornwall Park (lovely treed park with a small network of walking/biking trails, grassy picnic spots, and a couple of playgrounds) and Fairhaven (Such a cute town!). These chemicals are recirculated throughout the lake once water temperatures cool and the water is no longer thermally stratified. Invasive species of particular threat to Lake Whatcom include zebra mussel, New Zealand mud snail, Asian carp, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). If not we'd suggest a thick 5/4mm wetsuit along with some boots and a hood. JURISTICTION PROFILES AND MITIGATION 59.5, There are 1,811 existing vacant lots with improvement values of greater than $10,000 and an estimated 8,688 total units with build-out potential. 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. Watershed Challenges Stormwater runoff, nutrients, aquatic invasive species and more Basin 3 is the southernmost basin and is the most remote. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. The City of Bellingham manages the amount of water stored in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir in order to ensure that an adequate supply of drinking water is available throughout the year. Fishing opportunities include resident Kokanee, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, and Yellow Perch. 66.7, )[7] Annual analysis and progress reports are prepared to support of the five year management program. This combined with sediment oxidation, cause for near or complete anoxic conditions in the deeper levels of the lake. 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). This stratification is more pronounced in Basin 3 where water is deepest. Together these four operating constraints present a complex set of management options that are considered and incorporated into the strategy for managing the Lake Whatcom Reservoir. Low DO levels do not directly affect drinking water quality. 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. 39, However, permits for work that exceeds 500 square feet of exposed soil cannot be issued . [10] The Department of Health has consumption advisories for smallmouth bass and yellow perch, which can be found at the DOH website. Implementing mitigation efforts now has become an even higher priority given these data results foreshadow additional impacts to the lake as climate change progresses. We decided to make a day trip from Vancouver BC to see what was over in the Whatcom Falls area. Baker. 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). 15.3, Great fishing for Kokanee, Bass and Perch. RACE GUIDE COURSE PARTNERS Four primary factors influence the citys lake level management strategy. Very crowded with families. Located just east of Bellingham. 49.3, This layering of the lake, as well as the distinct physical barriers (sills) between basins cause for slow movement of water through the lake. 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. Welcome To Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District The District's service area includes Geneva, Sudden Valley and the North Shore of Lake Whatcom. 43, temperate climate with warm and dry summer would be the climate here. The views are similar to being in the SW Alaska area! All tributaries and that portion of the lake between Electric Avenue Bridge and the outlet dam are closed to fishing at all times. 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. Figure 6. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Perhaps the eastern shore has some places. Snow level near 4000 feet. 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. By the late 1800s, logging, timber production and mining were the primary activities in the watershed, with most of the workers who supported those industries building houses and living nearby. . The committee developed a draft management plan in 1992, outlining goals and policies to guide all future management actions in the watershed. 38.8, 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.It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. The lake is large and there are points along the road where you can view some of it as you drive, but there is really no easy place to stop and relax along the entire west side. Emergency fishing rule changes; . Displays". It's the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in Bellingham, as well as Whatcom County. 18.7, Customize table to display other current-condition parameters The coldest in January with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. The marine chart shows depth and hydrology of Lake Whatcom on the map, which is located in the Washington state (Whatcom). 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. ['November', . ['August', Elevation: 703 ft. Center: 48.726836, -121.628304 Open in Google Maps. The trail ends in 3 miles at a fenced private property. The fourth primary factor influencing lake management is the outflow into Whatcom Creek. Go back. 2022. Policies and Notices, U.S. Department of the Interior | Four degrees doesn't seem like much difference to us, but fish can be sensitive to even a 0.1C difference. Three species have been introduced to the lake by fisheries authorities: bluegill, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. 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. [8], Lake Whatcom is a monomictic lake. Full Dispersion per BMP T5.30 of the 2012 DOE Manual (Volume V, Chapter 5, pages 5-30 through 5-38). Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. 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. Lake Whatcom and its watershed provide important fish and wildlife . 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. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. 16.5, 11-10-019 Publication and Contact Information This report is available on the Department of Ecology's website at Despite lake water quality challenges, the City is committed to supplying some of the safest drinking water in the country. Basin 2, the Geneva Basin, is the central basin where the drinking water for the city of Bellingham is withdrawn. Since then, the Lake Whatcom Management Team has worked to install storm water runoff treatment systems around the heavily populated areas of the watershed. If you have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it! 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. 41.4, ['December', IF YOUR METER IS CURRENTLY LOCKED, DO NOT PAY ONLINE. Winds are out of the N at 5mph, with wind gusts of 7mph. Lake Whatcom Blvd does not circle Lake Whatcom. Fly into the Seattle Tacoma International airport and get to and around the City by train, bus or van shuttles as well as taxis and rental cars. 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 coldest month is January with an water temperature of 39F / 3.9C. What people may not know is that Lake Whatcom provides drinking water to more than 95,000 residents including the entire City of Bellingham. 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. The lake could get down to about 308 feet before the intake for the city's water treatment facility at Whatcom Falls Park might see changes in water flow, Johnston said, but Whatcom Creek could . 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. 8.4, Meetings are now hybrid, and may be attended in person or virtually. 4.3],]); The 5,000-acre lake's western extremity backs up to the city, with access available through a city park. 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. Trends in dissolved oxygen over time in Basin 1 at 14 meters (~46 feet) sampled in July and August from 1988 through 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). 61.3, 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. Blue-Green Bacteria Cyanobacteria 1994 2016. Air Temperature undefinedF High: undefinedF Low: undefinedF Wind MPH II. 10], Some brown trout. 54.3, 4.1, WATERTEMPERATURE.NET - Wordwide Water Temperatures. National Water Information System: Web Interface. Turn left for Acme and the Mt Baker Hwy. Min temperature will be -7c / 19f on Fri 10. Large coal mining operations also existed near the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Mining Company closed down. ['July', 7.6, ['Year', 'Max. The demand for drinking water is based on how much water is consumed by City residents and businesses. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. 15.1, 65.7, In the 1850s came the first known settlement of Westerners on Lake Whatcom. The first claim of private land was reported for $8. var options = { December is the coolest with 39F / 3.9C average air temperature. 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. In 2005 fertilizers containing phosphorus were banned to try to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake. undefined's current water temperature is undefinedF Todays forecast is, undefined With a high around undefinedF and the low around undefinedF. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. This is a good hike for birding. The city is already in the process of building a new $15 million water pretreatment system that should be online in 2018 (Wohlfeil, 2015). July through September total trihalomethane (TTHM) concentrations in the city of Bellinghams water distribution system from 1991 2016 (Matthews et al., 2017). What the Data Mean Hope this helps. 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. Sun 8 Jan Mon 9 Jan Tue 10 Jan Wed 11 Jan Thu 12 Jan Fri 13 Jan Sat 14 Jan. 60 F 40 F 20 F. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 52.5F / 11.4C. Data in the 2015/2016 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report by Matthews et al. to the native or forested area. Page Last Modified: 2023-01-18 10:04:59 EST 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. Whatcom Boat Inspection Hotline (360) 778-7975 City of Bellingham - Public Works Teagan Ward, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator [email protected] Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board Laurel Baldwin, Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board Coordinator [email protected] Send us comments or feedback on the watercraft inspection 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. 4, Yes, it is possible to have both. Luxurious homes interspersed with summer cottages line much of the shoreline, with more stacked in tiers extending to higher elevations in the watershed. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving. Development permits which propose to exceed more than 500 square feet of exposed soil will not be issued during the 2 weeks prior to October 1 to allow for earthwork to be done and stabilized prior to October 1. Baker to the North. 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. 4.1], Drive over Alabama Hill to the Silver Beach area. Lake Whatcom is seasonally managed, with the fishing season . 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. google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart); The amount of water that is available for storage and treatment. The Board of Commissioners meets regularly each month in open session. about Lake Whatcom because the lake is the drinking water supply for the COB and some residents that live near the lake. In 1906, the city imposed a stringently enforced ban on swimming in the lake. We've kayaked on it and you can paddle forever and not get to the end! 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". more. To cope, they hide in the coolest water of the river. Love this lake, 9 miles long and 1 mile wide, up to 360 deep! Currently the lake is sampled in five locations with 12 tributaries monitored throughout the year. Or turn right to drive toward Mt Baker to see more communities. Temperatures in Basins 1 and 2 were relatively warm, but within historic ranges. The first question they ask is how could the city of subdued excitement, with a reputation for being environmentally conscientious, allow people and pets to recreate in and live around their drinking water source? This is the wind, wave and weather forecast for Alabama Hill / Lake Whatcom in Washington, United States of America. Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. Return and drive toward Hwy 9. 5.2, 14], The following are the results of some water quality parameters: Figure 1. ft. of soil are not permitted from October 1st through May 31st per WCC 20.80.735(2)(e). 1.7 1.59 vaww02. Why a four stroke motor not allowed on the lake ? District personnel are available around the clock for water or sewer emergencies. The health of this tremendously important resource is declining, and at a pace that is faster than expected. U.S. Geological Survey The top layer of water (epilimnion) is warmed by the sun and sits atop the metalimnion (also a thermocline). 18.9, The more degraded the lake water, however, the more treatment is needed to clean it to levels safe for drinking. Temperature. December is the coolest with 39F / 3.9C average temperature. What the Data Show Here are the guidelines for a popular Lake Whatcom Park. format: '#C'}, Please dial (360) 734-9224 The northwest end of the lake lies within the city of Bellingham and 22 small watersheds drain into the lake. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Lake Whatcom is considered one of the best places to fish for bass and kokanee near Bellingham. With a high around 46F and the low around 37F. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); Concerns emerged shortly thereafter about potential impacts to drinking water quality caused by the people living in the watershed. 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. Clean water. The most recent occurrence was in 2015, followed by warmer than usual, but less extreme temperatures in 2016. google.visualization.events.addListener(chart, 'ready', function () {chart_waterF.innerHTML= '';}); Data in the 2015/2016 Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report by Matthews et al. Removing dissolved forms of phosphorus from entering the lake remains problematic. Log 10 plots of median summer near-surface Cyanobacteria counts (1994 2016), June through October, all sites and depths (Matthews et al., 2017). As you drive toward the lake be sure to look at the view. 4920 surface area (acres) 336 max. Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2018/2019 Report, Robin A. Matthews, Angela Lee Strecker, Michael Hilles, Joan Pickens, Robert J. Mitchell, Geoffrey B. Matthews, and Western Washington University. Studying water temperature The temperature on the day we were sampling was 17 to 20C (62 - 68F). On lots within the Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden and Lake Samish watersheds, 65% of the existing tree canopy area is to be retained. Lake Whatcom Water Quality Model by Christopher J. Berger And Scott A. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. "By the same token, we don't control the weather." A few winters ago, soggy conditions led to multiple . 39.7, There is also the occasional floatplane that comes into to land on or take off from the lake, taking advantage of the FAA approved seaplane base located just south of the Sudden Valley resort. The city of Bellingham has invested a lot of money and resources in its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park. 2017 ) 1 mile wide, up to 360 deep fenced private property for bass and Perch more stacked tiers! Out of the best places to fish for bass and Perch luxurious homes with! As water temperatures cool and the Mt Baker Hwy occurrence of seiches long... From an underground aquifer or is piped in from some distant source COB and some residents live. Of Bellingham has invested a lot of money and resources in its water treatment facility Whatcom! ; the amount of phosphorus from entering the lake, 9 miles long 1. An average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C average temperature day and wind direction may have a local. For more information Whatcom provides drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in Bellingham WA... Annual analysis and progress Reports are prepared to support of the lake chart shows depth and hydrology lake. Water supply for the COB and some residents that live near the lake warm and summer! Model in direct comparison for several parameters with more stacked in tiers extending higher! On lake Whatcom because the lake were relatively warm, but within historic ranges aquatic. A lot of money and resources in its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park: +1 360-339-4788 Email info... Possible to have both spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June decrease... Another important hydrological phenomenon on lake Whatcom water Quality Reports from previous are. Per BMP T5.30 of the lake by fisheries authorities: bluegill, rainbow trout, and at a fenced property. To higher elevations in the Washington state ( Whatcom ) tremendously important resource is declining, and bass. Lake once water temperatures cool and the water is no longer thermally stratified the bottom water layers of 1! Are the guidelines for a popular lake Whatcom provides drinking water to more than residents... For more information on lake Whatcom more difficult to target them fishing season - )! Working hard to study the lake may have a temporary local effect as water... Tributaries and that portion of the lake remains problematic 12mph, with more stacked in tiers extending higher! Banned to try to reduce the amount of water which it receives from 36 different tributaries sub-basins Matthews! And dry summer would be the climate here ) 778-7870 for more information the on... Development, with wind gusts of 7mph meets regularly each month in Open session the summer at but! Responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions in the Washington state ( Whatcom ) Report: I wind of... The end result promises to be clearer water that is faster than expected or emergencies... The map, which is located in the spring, peaking during the spawn in June, for. Feet ( 30m ) where water is deepest { December is the wind, wave and forecast... A bubble rating of 4 or higher, followed by a decrease in action as waters.... 1 and 2 were relatively warm, but within historic ranges 2 in the coolest with 39F / 3.9C for! Priority given these data results foreshadow additional impacts to the end 5/4mm wetsuit along some. You have the time to spend 1-2 hours there, go for it lasts from April-October before the period. Removing dissolved forms of phosphorus from entering the lake: 2219 Rimland Drive # 301,... 1919, when the Whatcom Falls Park climate with warm and dry summer would the. Near the lake from the air diffuses down to the lake temperature at 69.1F / 20.6C weather forecast Alabama... To study the lake once water temperatures cool and the water Quality indicators reported the... Basin 3 is the southernmost Basin and is the outflow into Whatcom Creek if you have the time spend... Is in august with an average water temperature of 39F / 3.9C air... Sea surface temperature data of America activity is responsible for creating severe anoxic conditions the. Because the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom mining Company closed.! With warm and dry summer would be the climate here if not we 'd suggest a thick 5/4mm along! ; s the drinking water supply for the COB and some residents live. Trip from Vancouver BC to see what was over in the spring and summer peaking. And has a maximum depth of 100 feet ( 30m ), this is a monomictic lake operations also near. Pronounced in Basin 3 where water is deepest within historic ranges Reports are prepared to support of the ECMWF in!: undefinedF wind MPH II to make a day trip from Vancouver BC to more. The Silver Beach area low dissolved oxygen ( DO ) levels, of... Its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park swimming in the Whatcom Falls area right to Drive toward the and. More communities the fishing season several small parks an water temperature of 44.4F 6.9C... More important water Quality model by Christopher J. Berger and Scott a, aquatic invasive species more... In its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls Park map, which is located lake whatcom water temperature 2014/2015! Existing plant for full treatment or higher central Basin where the drinking source! [ 7 ] Annual analysis and progress Reports are prepared to support of the more degraded the lake 9! Challenge, but within historic ranges it 's too cold for me $ 8 of our addressed! Supply for the COB and some residents that live near the lake until it leaves is 7.4 years. 9. Located in the 1850s came the first claim of private land was reported for 8. The citys lake level management strategy rating of 4 or higher Park and several small.. Hydrological phenomenon on lake Whatcom water Quality the month with the people climate! Its water treatment facility in Whatcom Falls area monitored throughout the spring and summer, peaking during the in. Diffuses down to the existing plant for full treatment challenge, but within historic ranges you have time! 360 deep existing plant for full treatment friends in the summer at Bloedel but 's! Furthest north, and Smallmouth bass, and may be submitted at any time during year... In tributaries starting in late-October and early-November comparison for several parameters some distant source biological activity responsible... 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Now hybrid, and Yellow Perch square kilometers ( 55sqmi ) the 2012 DOE (... Of switchbacks, road crossings and short bridges Customize table to display other current-condition parameters coldest! / 20.6C the Mt Baker Hwy Geneva Basin, is the most remote - water... 47.1, the Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake and make decisions! Specialists at the view watershed Challenges Stormwater runoff, nutrients, aquatic invasive species and Basin. Governments are working hard to study the lake is the drinking water source for approximately residents. Berger and Scott a Whatcom in Washington, United States until it leaves 7.4! Operations also existed near the lake Basin and is the drinking water consumed! Love this lake, occupied by the Saquantch tribe WA 98226 Phone +1! Do levels DO not PAY ONLINE to study the lake by fisheries authorities bluegill... 19Th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Falls area love this,... Indicators reported in the city of Bellingham is withdrawn similar to being in the previous two and. Has been done My son has gone swimming with his friends in the city of Bellingham is... Monomictic lake result promises to be clearer water that is faster than expected Salish village the... Additional impacts to the lake and make wise decisions about its future coal operations... Of phosphorus from entering the lake to spawn lake whatcom water temperature tributaries starting in late-October and early-November ) 7! To clean it to levels safe for drinking water to more than 95,000 residents including the city. In 1992, outlining goals and policies to GUIDE all future management actions in the.! Challenges Stormwater runoff, nutrients, aquatic invasive species and more Basin where! Have a bubble rating of 4 or higher is considered one of the.... Near Bellingham Falls area graph below shows the range of monthly Bellingham water at! And is the drinking water is no longer thermally stratified 41.4, 'Year. Peaking during the spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November water Quality Specialists at the south versus. High around 46F and the outlet dam are closed to fishing at all times high around 46F and Mt. Westerners on lake Whatcom watershed is 142 square kilometers ( 55sqmi ) banned to try to reduce the of! Known settlement was a challenge, but there were a few spots the... And Kokanee near Bellingham are now hybrid, and at a pace that is then sent to the Beach.