11/30/2022 0 Comments Whatson lake wa![]() The control dam gates at the head of Whatcom Creek, within Whatcom Falls Park In 1962 water was diverted from the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River, through a tunnel, to supply water to a then-new paper mill on the Bellingham waterfront. Bloedel donated 12.5 acres to the city for what would eventually become Bloedel Donovan Park. Large coal mining operations also existed near the lake from the late 19th century through 1919, when the Whatcom Mining Company closed down. Most of the area surrounding the lake was extensively logged by the end of the 19th century. The first claim of private land was reported for $8. In the 1850s came the first known settlement of Westerners on Lake Whatcom. Around 1800 the Saquantch were pushed out by the Lummi tribe. The earliest known settlement was a Northwest Coast Salish village at the south end of the lake, occupied by the Saquantch tribe. The lake has only one island, the 3-acre (12,000 m 2) 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. Lake Whatcom drains into Bellingham Bay by way of Whatcom Creek. There are nine annual streams and approximately 25 additional small creeks and tributaries that flow into Lake Whatcom, accounting for 23 sub-watersheds in all. The total area of the Lake Whatcom Watershed is 142 square kilometers (55 sq mi). 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. 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. Basin 3 is the southernmost basin and is the most remote. Land use is primarily residential, with a mix of lake protection program properties and some rural forestry. This basin is the shallowest, with a maximum depth of just 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 m). Basin 2, the Geneva Basin, is the central basin where the drinking water for the city of Bellingham is withdrawn. Land use in Basin 1 is primarily residential development, with one large park and several small parks. Basin 1, the Silver Beach Basin, is the furthest north, and has a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 m). The lake is a popular area for motor boating, swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities. Lake Whatcom is located and managed within three political jurisdictions: the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) in length and 1 mile (1.6 km) in width at its widest. It is the drinking water source for approximately 85,000 residents in the city of Bellingham as well as Whatcom County. Lake Whatcom (from the Lummi word for "loud water") is located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. Find the trailhead with a toilet at the end of this road at about 10 miles.Lake Whatcom golden hour view from a home in the Sudden Valley neighborhood After 14.5 miles, turn left onto Baker Lake Dam Road, crossing the dam and then turn left onto FS rd 1107 (straight is usually gated). Get there: Take Highway 20 east from I-5 passing through Sedro-Woolley to the Baker Lake Highway just beyond milepost 82.To read about our adventure to these Lakes CLICK HERE There are signs for a backcountry toilet at all the lakes. Continue across it's outlet stream to find multiple campsites in the meadows of the second lake. Mount Baker is seen from its southwest meadows. Continue up a steep, short climb to a ridge top and enter Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness, where just steps past the marked sign is a great view of both the Watson Lakes. Drop down to the Watson Lakes, the first of which is smaller and has one campsite. Anderson Lake is a half mile and 200 feet down to its view filled shoreline. Now enter at the bottom, enter another meadow and find a junction at one mile with the trail to Anderson Lake. The trail at times is great, but the drop down after re-entering the trees, is not well maintained and is a bit steep at times. Stay right and climb through a beautiful meadow with a stream running through it. Enter the forest and at about 3/4 of a mile come to a junction with Watson Butte Trail. ![]()
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