Lake Whatcom
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| Lake Whatcom | |
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| Location | Whatcom County, Washington |
| Coordinates | |
| Primary outflows | Whatcom Creek |
| Catchment area | 145 km² |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 14 miles (23 km) |
| Max. depth | 350 feet (107 m) |
| Surface elevation | 314 feet (96 m) |
| Islands | 1 (Reveille Island) |
Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is a lake located near Bellingham, Washington, United States, forming part of the city's eastern border, and is about 14 miles (23 km) long. Over 85,000 Whatcom County residents rely on Lake Whatcom for drinking water. Lake Whatcom is also a popular recreational site, used for boating, swimming, fishing, and other activities. Lake Whatcom empties into Bellingham Bay by way of Whatcom Creek.
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[edit] Bathymetry
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). It is surrounded by housing through the entire basin, and includes the most popular of swimming areas in Bellingham, Bloedel-Donovan Park. Basin 2, the Geneva Basin is the central basin where the drinking water for the city of Bellingham is removed. This basin is the shallowest, with a maximum depth of just 40–60 feet (12–18 m). Basin 3 is the furthest southern 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.[1] Large scale logging operations occur around this basin.
The lake has only one island, the 3-acre (12,000 m²) Reveille Island, 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.
[edit] Pre–white settlements
Prior to the arrival of white settlers, areas around Lake Whatcom were used by several tribes, including the Stick Samish, Nooksack, and Saquantch, before they were pushed out by Lummi around 1800. In particular, the Nooksack had a village at the southern end of the lake called Kaw-tchaa-ha-muk.[2]
[edit] Pollution
Lake Whatcom is the center of a large debate occurring in Whatcom County, in regard to drinking water quality, homeowners' rights, and environmental protection. The lake is contaminated with PCBs, mercury, and dieldrin. Also, large scale additions of nutrients have altered the water chemistry of the lake, causing concern about its overall health.[3]
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Moore, F. Stanley, An Historical Geography of the Settlement Around Lake Whatcom Prior to 1920. Institute for Freshwater Studies, Bellingham, Washington, 1973.
[edit] External links
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