monitoring and water quality
Lake Whatcom has been monitored for many years, beginning
with regularity in the early 1960’s although limited data prior to that
period can be found in some early reports and studies. Currently the
Lake is sampled at 5 locations, with 12 tributaries monitored throughout
the year (Figure A2). Samples are analyzed for a number of water
quality parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients (e.g. phosphorus), pH, conductivity, and fecal coliform. Flow information
is also collected for a number of tributaries in the watershed.
The majority of the current monitoring is being conducted by the Institute
for Watershed Studies (IWS) at Western Washington University under a
contract with the City of Bellingham. IWS provides annual reports summarizing
details of the monitoring programs and results. These reports can be
viewed at the IWS website.
Drinking Water Quality & Consumer Confidence Reports
The City of Bellingham and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District also conduct monitoring for untreated and treated water. Among other uses, the data is used to help develop annual consumer confidence reports. Consumer confidence reports are required under state law and are intended to provide consumers with information about the quality of their drinking water. Often the reports include other valuable information as well. The District report can be viewed at http://www.lwwsd.org/water/cc.asp, and the City of Bellingham report can be viewed at http://www.cob.org/services/utilities/water.aspx.
Lake Whatcom Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
In 1998, Lake Whatcom water quality failed to meet state dissolved oxygen standards and was placed on Washington's 303(d) list of polluted waters. In addition to the lake failing to meet dissolved oxygen standards due to phosphorus loading, eleven of Lake Whatcom's tributaries failed to meet state water quality standards for fecal coliform bacteria.
In response to this listing, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study was completed by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) to determine the amount of phosphorus and fecal coliform reduction needed to return the lake to acceptable water quality standards (What is a TMDL?).
Additional monitoring work was conducted to support Ecology's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study and the WRIA 1 Watershed Management Project models. The results of these modeling efforts are being used to help develop and refine management actions necessary to address water quality issues in the Lake and tributaries.
Department of Ecology reports and studies associated with the TMDL project can be viewed at:
