Lake Whatcom
Encyclopedia
Lake Whatcom Reservoir is located in Whatcom County, Washington. It is the drinking water
source for approximately 85,000 residents in the City of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. It is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within 3 political jurisdictions, the City Of Bellingham, Whatcom County and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District.
The lake is a popular source of motor boating, swimming, fishing and other recreational activities.
The lake is divided into three basins. Basin 1, the Silver Beach Basin is the furthest north, and has a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 m). Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development
, with one large park and several small parks. Basin 2, the Geneva Basin is the central basin where the drinking water for the city of Bellingham is withdrawn. This basin is the shallowest, with a maximum depth of just 40–60 feet (12–18 m). Land use is still primarily residential with a mix of lake protection program properties and some rural forestry. Basin 3 is the southernmost basin, and is the most remote. At its greatest depth basin 3 is 328 feet (100 m) deep, and is estimated to contain 96% of the lake's total water volume. 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. The total area of the Lake Whatcom Watershed
is 142 square kilometers (or 56 square miles).
There are 9 annual streams and approximately 25 additional small creeks and tributaries that flow into Lake Whatcom. Accounting for 23 sub-watersheds in all. Lake Whatcom drains into Bellingham Bay
by way of Whatcom Creek.
The lake has only one island, the 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) 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.
tribe. In the 1850s is the first known settlement of Westerners to Lake Whatcom. The first claim of private land was reported for $8. Most of the area surrounding the lake was extensively logged by the end of the 19th century. Large mining operations also existed near the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Mining Company closed down. In 1946 J.H. Donovan donates 12.5 acres to the city for what would eventually become Bloedel Donovan Park. In 1962 water is diverted from the Middle Fork of the Nooksack to augment water levels.
’s 303(d) list for impaired water bodies in 1998, due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Low Dissolved oxygen are directly related to the amount of phosphorus Lake Whatcom receives. Low DO levels do not directly affect drinking water quality. 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. 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.
Most of the Phosphorus enters the lake through non point sources. Water runoff from lawns, gardens and streets contain high levels of phosphorus. Aging septic systems in the water can leach phosphorus into the water body. In 2005 fertilizers containing phosphorus were banned to try to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake. 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.
Pet waste also contributes to the pollutant load in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Pet waste contains high levels of fecal coliform which has caused high pollution in 11 of the 22 tributaries running into the lake. A TMDL has been created for these as well. http://www.cob.org/web/bmcode.nsf/0/b613ff98250b284888256aa10061e284?OpenDocument
A 2010-2014 Work Plan for Lake Whatcom was recently approved by the councils of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County and Water District 10. The Work Plan can be found at http://www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/UserFiles/File/WorkPlans/Draft_LW_2010_2014%20Work%20Plan%20Staff%20Final.pdf
lake. The water body is stratified for part of the year (late spring through mid-fall) and mixed during the rest. This phenomenon is important to the hydrology of the lake. The top layer of water (epilimnion
) is warmed by the sun and sits atop the metalimnion (also a thermocline
). 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. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. This combined with sediment oxidation, cause for near or complete anoxic conditions in the deeper levels of the lake. This stratification is more pronounced in Basin 3 where water is deepest. This layering of the lake, as well as the distinct physical barriers (sills) between basins cause for slow movement of water through the lake. (Ecology TMDL, 2008)
Another important hydrological phenomenon on Lake Whatcom is the occurrence of seiches. A seiche
is the slow sloshing of water from one side of the lake to the other, due to winds in Lake Whatcom’s case. Winds will push water to one side of the lake, causing water levels to rise on one end and lower on the other. When the wind stops, the water rebounds back and forth until it is settled again. 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.
Major outputs of lake water are Whatcom Creek (77.5% of outflow), City of Bellingham intake (11.3%), evaporation (7.9%) and hatchery (2.5%). The estimated residence time of water entering the lake until it leaves is 7.4 years. (Lake Whatcom Annual Report, 2008/09 http://ceratium.ietc.wwu.edu/IWS2)
, Asian Carp
, and Viral hemorrhagic septicemia
(VHS). Currently, none of Washington State’s 15 species identified as “most unwanted” are found in the lake. Eurasian Water milfoil
is the only known aquatic invasive species in Lake Whatcom that is on Washington’s list of 50 unwanted species (13 of which are freshwater).
poses several threats to Lake Whatcom. The most direct effect of warming is the resulting warming of lake water. As water temperature raises the solubility of phosphorus increases, making it easier for phosphorus to enter the water column via the lake substrate. This increased phosphorus can continue to lower dissolved oxygen levels. Warming of the lake can also create more favorable conditions for invasive species survival as well as decreasing native species survival rates (Salmonids
for example need cold water for hearing and survival). This warming will likely also lead to fluctuations in seasonal water levels and rainfall.
, Longnose Sucker
, Peamouth Chub, Sculpin
and Threespine Stickleback. 3 species have purposefully been introduced to the lake: Bluegill
, Rainbow Trout
, and Smallmouth Bass
. There are 4 species that have been illegally introduced: Brown Bullhead
, Large Mouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish
and Yellow Perch
The Department of Health has consumption advisories for small mouth bass and yellow perch, which can be found at the DOH Website
Land use on and around Lake Whatcom vary by basin. Most of Basin 1 falls in Bellingham City limits, which includes the most populous neighborhood, Silver Beach Creek. This is a high density residential neighborhood, with several public parks and open space tracts.
Basin 2 contains the Geneva neighborhood on the southern shore of the basin. This area has mixed zoning of urban residential, rural residential and rural forestry. The northern portion of the watershed in Basin 2 is zoned for rural, rural residential and rural forestry.
Basin 3 contains the Sudden Valley neighborhood which is high density residential. This is the primary residential population of Basin 3, as the rest of its watershed is zoned for commercial and rural forestry, as well as a small recreational open space and low density rural.
In 2001 the City of Bellingham placed a $5 per month fee on water bills to create a fund for purchasing land in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. To date 1,554 acres have been protected through the program, accounting for approximately 5% of the watershed. These properties are throughout the watershed, with the most (by acreage) found in Basin 3.
Whatcom County has a temporary ban on creations of new lots under 5 acres in the watershed. This ban has been in place since 2005.
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
source for approximately 85,000 residents in the City of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. It is approximately 10 miles total in length and 1 mile in width at its widest. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within 3 political jurisdictions, the City Of Bellingham, Whatcom County and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District.
The lake is a popular source of motor boating, swimming, fishing and other recreational activities.
The lake is divided into three basins. Basin 1, the Silver Beach Basin is the furthest north, and has a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 m). Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development
Residential area
A residential area is a land use in which housing predominates, as opposed to industrial and commercial areas.Housing may vary significantly between, and through, residential areas. These include single family housing, multi-family residential, or mobile homes. Zoning for residential use may permit...
, with one large park and several small parks. Basin 2, the Geneva Basin is the central basin where the drinking water for the city of Bellingham is withdrawn. This basin is the shallowest, with a maximum depth of just 40–60 feet (12–18 m). Land use is still primarily residential with a mix of lake protection program properties and some rural forestry. Basin 3 is the southernmost basin, and is the most remote. At its greatest depth basin 3 is 328 feet (100 m) deep, and is estimated to contain 96% of the lake's total water volume. 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. The total area of the Lake Whatcom Watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
is 142 square kilometers (or 56 square miles).
There are 9 annual streams and approximately 25 additional small creeks and tributaries that flow into Lake Whatcom. Accounting for 23 sub-watersheds in all. Lake Whatcom drains into Bellingham Bay
Bellingham Bay
Bellingham Bay is a bay located on the northern Pacific coast of Washington state in the United States. It is separated from the Strait of Georgia on the west by the Lummi Peninsula, Portage Island, and Lummi Island. It is bordered on the east by Bellingham, Washington, to the south-east by the...
by way of Whatcom Creek.
The lake has only one island, the 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) Reveille Island, owned by Camp Firwood
Camp Firwood
Camp Firwood is an American Camp Association approved Christian summer camp situated on Lake Whatcom, southeast of Bellingham, Washington. It is part of "The Firs", a Christian camp and retreat ministry that is in good standing with the Christian Camp and Conference Association.-History:Camp...
, which is believed to be the site of past ceremonies by Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, due to the presence of pictographs and a zoomorphic stone bowl found on the island.
Brief history
The earliest known settlement was a Northwest Coast Salish village at the south end of the lake, occupied by the Saquantch tribe. Around 1800 the Saquantch were pushed out by the LummiLummi
The Lummi , governed by the Lummi Nation, are a Native American tribe of the Coast Salish ethnolinguistic group in western Washington state in the United States...
tribe. In the 1850s is the first known settlement of Westerners to Lake Whatcom. The first claim of private land was reported for $8. Most of the area surrounding the lake was extensively logged by the end of the 19th century. Large mining operations also existed near the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Mining Company closed down. In 1946 J.H. Donovan donates 12.5 acres to the city for what would eventually become Bloedel Donovan Park. In 1962 water is diverted from the Middle Fork of the Nooksack to augment water levels.
Water quality
As a drinking water source, Lake Whatcom’s quality is in compliance for all tested chemicals, bacteria and turbidity. http://www.cob.org/documents/pw/lw/water-brochure-10.pdf Bellingham is a participant in the Partnership for Safe Water and the City’s drinking water also meets the higher standards set by this group. For the past 10 years the City of Bellingham Public Works has received the Partnership for Safe Water’s Director Award for commitment to providing safe drinking water. http://www.cob.org/features/2009-07-01-natl-award.aspxPollution
Lake Whatcom was placed on the Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
’s 303(d) list for impaired water bodies in 1998, due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Low Dissolved oxygen are directly related to the amount of phosphorus Lake Whatcom receives. Low DO levels do not directly affect drinking water quality. 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
Total Maximum Daily Load
A Total Maximum Daily Load is a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act, describing a value of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards...
(TMDL) of phosphorus the lake can receive while maintaining adequate dissolved oxygen
Oxygen saturation
Oxygen saturation or dissolved oxygen is a relative measure of the amount of oxygen that is dissolved or carried in a given medium. It can be measured with a dissolved oxygen probe such as an oxygen sensor or an optode in liquid media, usually water.It has particular significance in medicine and...
levels. In 2008 the DOE estimated that in order to achieve acceptable levels of DO, impervious/run off surfaces
Impervious surface
Impervious surfaces are mainly artificial structures--such as pavements that are covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, and stone--and rooftops...
need to be returned to pre-1988 levels.
Most of the Phosphorus enters the lake through non point sources. Water runoff from lawns, gardens and streets contain high levels of phosphorus. Aging septic systems in the water can leach phosphorus into the water body. In 2005 fertilizers containing phosphorus were banned to try to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake. 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.
Pet waste also contributes to the pollutant load in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Pet waste contains high levels of fecal coliform which has caused high pollution in 11 of the 22 tributaries running into the lake. A TMDL has been created for these as well. http://www.cob.org/web/bmcode.nsf/0/b613ff98250b284888256aa10061e284?OpenDocument
A 2010-2014 Work Plan for Lake Whatcom was recently approved by the councils of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County and Water District 10. The Work Plan can be found at http://www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/UserFiles/File/WorkPlans/Draft_LW_2010_2014%20Work%20Plan%20Staff%20Final.pdf
Hydrology
Lake Whatcom is a monomicticMonomictic
Monomictic lakes are holomictic lakes that mix from top to bottom during one mixing period each year. Monomictic lakes may be subdivided into Cold and Warm types.-Cold monomictic lakes:...
lake. The water body is stratified for part of the year (late spring through mid-fall) and mixed during the rest. This phenomenon is important to the hydrology of the lake. The top layer of water (epilimnion
Epilimnion
The epilimnion is the top-most layer in a thermally stratified lake, occurring above the deeper hypolimnion. It is warmer and typically has a higher pH, but lower dissolved oxygen concentration than the hypolimnion....
) is warmed by the sun and sits atop the metalimnion (also a thermocline
Thermocline
A thermocline is a thin but distinct layer in a large body of fluid , in which temperature changes more rapidly with depth than it does in the layers above or below...
). In this middle layer water temperatures take a pronounced decline and eventually a distinct third layer forms (hypolimnion
Hypolimnion
The hypolimnion is the dense, bottom layer of water in a thermally-stratified lake. It is the layer that lies below the thermocline.Typically the hypolimnion is the coldest layer of a lake in summer, and the warmest layer during winter...
), much colder and isolated from the rest of the water body. Minimal oxygen from the air diffuses down to the hypolimnion, causing very low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. This combined with sediment oxidation, cause for near or complete anoxic conditions in the deeper levels of the lake. This stratification is more pronounced in Basin 3 where water is deepest. This layering of the lake, as well as the distinct physical barriers (sills) between basins cause for slow movement of water through the lake. (Ecology TMDL, 2008)
Another important hydrological phenomenon on Lake Whatcom is the occurrence of seiches. A seiche
Seiche
A seiche is a standing wave in an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water. Seiches and seiche-related phenomena have been observed on lakes, reservoirs, swimming pools, bays, harbors and seas...
is the slow sloshing of water from one side of the lake to the other, due to winds in Lake Whatcom’s case. Winds will push water to one side of the lake, causing water levels to rise on one end and lower on the other. When the wind stops, the water rebounds back and forth until it is settled again. 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.
Major outputs of lake water are Whatcom Creek (77.5% of outflow), City of Bellingham intake (11.3%), evaporation (7.9%) and hatchery (2.5%). The estimated residence time of water entering the lake until it leaves is 7.4 years. (Lake Whatcom Annual Report, 2008/09 http://ceratium.ietc.wwu.edu/IWS2)
Invasive species
Washington State defines invasive species as “invasive species include non-native organisms that cause economic or environmental harm and are capable of spreading to new areas of the state. Invasive species does not include domestic livestock, intentionally planted agronomic crops, or non-harmful exotic organisms” (Revised Code of Washington 79A.25.310). Invasive species can be spread by various means including: boats/boat trailers, animals, on boots and in clothing. Sometimes species will be introduced intentionally, however this is rare. Species of particular threat to Lake Whatcom Include Zebra Mussels, New Zealand Mud SnailNew Zealand Mud Snail
The New Zealand mudsnail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, sometimes previously known as Potamopyrgus jenkinsi, is a species of very small or minute freshwater snail with a gill and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Hydrobiidae....
, Asian Carp
Asian carp
Many species of heavy-bodied cyprinid fish are collectively known in the United States as Asian carp. Cyprinids from the subcontinent [for example, catla and mrigal ] are not included in this classification, and are known collectively as "Indian carp".Eight Asian carp have been substantially...
, and Viral hemorrhagic septicemia
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia is a deadly infectious fish disease caused by theViral hemorrhagic septicemia virus...
(VHS). Currently, none of Washington State’s 15 species identified as “most unwanted” are found in the lake. Eurasian Water milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Myriophyllum spicatum is a species of Myriophyllum native to Europe, Asia, and north Africa. It is a submerged aquatic plant, and grows in still or slow-moving water.-Description:...
is the only known aquatic invasive species in Lake Whatcom that is on Washington’s list of 50 unwanted species (13 of which are freshwater).
Climate change
The changing environmentClimate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
poses several threats to Lake Whatcom. The most direct effect of warming is the resulting warming of lake water. As water temperature raises the solubility of phosphorus increases, making it easier for phosphorus to enter the water column via the lake substrate. This increased phosphorus can continue to lower dissolved oxygen levels. Warming of the lake can also create more favorable conditions for invasive species survival as well as decreasing native species survival rates (Salmonids
Salmonidae
Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish, the only living family currently placed in the order Salmoniformes. It includes salmon, trout, chars, freshwater whitefishes and graylings...
for example need cold water for hearing and survival). This warming will likely also lead to fluctuations in seasonal water levels and rainfall.
Fish
Lake Whatcom is home to 13 species of fish. Among these are 6 native species including: Kokanee Salmon (non-anadromous form of Sockeye), Cutthroat TroutCutthroat trout
The cutthroat trout is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is one of the many fish species colloquially known as trout...
, Longnose Sucker
Longnose sucker
The longnose sucker, Catostomus catostomus, is a freshwater species of fish inhabiting cold, clear waters in North America from northern USA to the top of the continent. In addition, it is one of two species of sucker to inhabit Asia, specifically the rivers of eastern Siberia...
, Peamouth Chub, Sculpin
Sculpin
A Sculpin is a fish that belongs to the order Scorpaeniformes, suborder Cottoidei and superfamily Cottoidea, that contains 11 families, 149 genera, and 756 species...
and Threespine Stickleback. 3 species have purposefully been introduced to the lake: Bluegill
Bluegill
The Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
, Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
, and Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
. There are 4 species that have been illegally introduced: Brown Bullhead
Brown bullhead
The brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus, is a fish of the Ictaluridae family that is widely distributed in North America. It is a species of bullhead catfish and is similar to the black bullhead and yellow bullhead...
, Large Mouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Pumpkinseed
The pumpkinseed sunfish is a freshwater fish of the sunfish family of order Perciformes. It is also referred to as "pond perch", "common sunfish", "punkys", and "sunny".-Range and distribution:...
and Yellow Perch
Yellow perch
The yellow perch is a species of perch found in the United States and Canada, where it is often referred to by the shortform perch. Yellow perch look similar to the European perch, but are paler and more yellowish, with less red in the fins. They have six to eight dark, vertical bars on their sides...
The Department of Health has consumption advisories for small mouth bass and yellow perch, which can be found at the DOH Website
Watershed land use
Based on the 2000 census, there are about 13,000 residents within the Lake Whatcom Watershed. Current zoning will allow an increase to about 28,000. (Ecology, TMDL)Land use on and around Lake Whatcom vary by basin. Most of Basin 1 falls in Bellingham City limits, which includes the most populous neighborhood, Silver Beach Creek. This is a high density residential neighborhood, with several public parks and open space tracts.
Basin 2 contains the Geneva neighborhood on the southern shore of the basin. This area has mixed zoning of urban residential, rural residential and rural forestry. The northern portion of the watershed in Basin 2 is zoned for rural, rural residential and rural forestry.
Basin 3 contains the Sudden Valley neighborhood which is high density residential. This is the primary residential population of Basin 3, as the rest of its watershed is zoned for commercial and rural forestry, as well as a small recreational open space and low density rural.
In 2001 the City of Bellingham placed a $5 per month fee on water bills to create a fund for purchasing land in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. To date 1,554 acres have been protected through the program, accounting for approximately 5% of the watershed. These properties are throughout the watershed, with the most (by acreage) found in Basin 3.
Whatcom County has a temporary ban on creations of new lots under 5 acres in the watershed. This ban has been in place since 2005.