Photo by K. Moran, 2014

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. 

Photo by T. Ward, 2015

Our Progress

Learn more about program goals and actions. Track our progress.

Photo by G. Mednick, 2019

Get Involved

Learn more about actions you can take to help prevent pollution and protect Lake Whatcom.

Photo by City of Bellingham, 2018

What's New

Learn more about Lake Whatcom Management Program news, meetings, and events.

October Lake Whatcom Lowdown Now Available

Check out the October Issue of the Lake Whatcom Lowdown, our quarterly e-newsletter with watershed updates and stewardship opportunities. This latest issue provides information on private property improvement programs, managing leaves, wildfire preparedness, photo contest winners, the Geneva Bioretention Pilot Project, land acquisitions and preservation, watershed work window closure, and the Lake Whatcom Water Level Dashboard.  Click here to subscribe! Links to past issues are available in our Lake Whatcom Lowdown Archive

Posted October 27, 2023

Bloedel and Samish AIS Check Stations Close for the Season

The final day for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspections and wire seals at Bloedel Donovan and Lake Samish is Thursday, September 28th. The final day for inspections and wire seals at Sudden Valley is Sunday, September 24th. Boat owners are encouraged to have their boats wire sealed, if they do not plan on using it throughout the winter months, to ensure a speedy and efficient start to the 2024 boating season. Please note that launch closure times will vary on available daylight.

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Posted September 27, 2023



Lake Whatcom Watershed Work Window Closes

September 30th is the last day of the work window for ground disturbing activities 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 September 18, 2023