Lake Whatcom is a vital resource, providing drinking water, recreation and wildlife habitat to our community. The City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District formed the Lake Whatcom Management Program in 1998 to coordinate programs and projects that restore, protect and preserve Lake Whatcom and its surrounding watershed.
Our Progress
Learn more about program goals and actions. Track our progress.
Get Involved
Learn more about actions you can take to help prevent pollution and protect Lake Whatcom.
What's New
Learn more about Lake Whatcom Management Program news, meetings, and events.
Latest News
Lake Whatcom Boat Launch Closed July 8th, 4am-2pm
The Lake Whatcom Boat Launch station will be closed July 8th from 4am-2pm to accommodate the Lake Whatcom Triathlon. More information about the Lake Whatcom Triathlon can be found here: https://www.lakewhatcomtriathlon.com/.
Lake Whatcom Watershed Work Window Open
The work window for ground disturbing activities is open from June 1st through September 30th in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Ground disturbing activities include clearing vegetation, adding topsoil or fill, and other activities that move or expose soil. Special regulations apply to prevent erosion during the rainy season from October 1st to May 31st. Dirty water flowing into Lake Whatcom adds phosphorus, harming water quality and aquatic life. Learn more:
Thank you for timing your work to prevent erosion!
Posted June 1, 2023
Look for the Zero
Thinking about fertilizing your lawn this spring? Remember to look for the zero! Local laws prohibit using fertilizer containing phosphorus in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Fertilizer products list three numbers from left to right for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Make sure the middle number is zero. For more information, Phosphorus: Too Much of a Good Thing.
Posted: May 12, 2023
Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish Boat Launches Now Open!
It’s that time of the year again! April 22nd marks the start of the 2023 summer boating season for the Whatcom Boat Inspection Program. Aquatic Invasive Species Program staff will be conducting watercraft inspections and decontaminations at four sites in the Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish Watershed. Our season schedule is as follows:
Bloedel Donovan : (7 days a Week) April 22nd – Sept 30th 5:00 AM until 9:00 PM
Samish Boat Launch: (7 days a week) April 22nd – Sept 30th: 5:00 AM until 9:00 PM
South Bay Boat Launch: (Weekends/Holidays Only) April 22nd – Mid September: 9:00 AM until 6:30 PM
Sudden Valley: (Weekends/ Holidays Only) May 6th – Mid September: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Posted April 20th, 2023