Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2022/2023 Report, Angela Strecker, Joan Pickens, Carmen Archambault, Emily Flarry, Kathryn Queen, Robert Mitchell, Robin Matthews, Geoffrey B. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Annual Reports

This report describes the results from the 2022/2023 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (https://diatom.cenv.wwu.edu/).

The major objectives of the 2022/2023 Lake Whatcom monitoring program were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.

Studying The South Lake Whatcom Fire, Lillian Buck

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This study investigates the ecological consequences of the South Lake Whatcom Fire, which occurred in August 2023, focusing on soil health and water quality. Lake Whatcom, historically shaped by indigenous settlements and 19th-century logging and mining activities, is a critical water source for Bellingham residents. The fire, sparked by lightning, was managed with hand-dug lines, and contained by September 2023. Soil analysis revealed a significant reduction in the organic matter/duff layer depth in burned areas compared to unburned sections, highlighting potential challenges for soil recovery and ecosystem health. Erosion concerns were raised, emphasizing the need for post-fire management strategies. This …

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2021/2022 Report, Angela Strecker, Michael Hilles, Joan Pickens, Kathryn Queen, Emily Flarry, Robert Mitchell, Robin A. Matthews, Geoffrey B. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Annual Reports

This report describes the results from the 2021/2022 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (www.wwu.edu/iws).

The major objectives in 2021/2022 were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2020/2021 Report, Angela Strecker, Michael Hilles, Joan Pickens, Robert Mitchell, Robin Matthews, Geoffrey Matthews

Lake Whatcom Annual Reports

This report describes the results from the 2020/2021 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (www.wwu.edu/iws).

The major objectives in 2020/2021 were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.

Summary Of Lake Whatcom Algal Research, 1987–2021, Robin A. Matthews

A Collection of Open Access Books and Monographs

The purpose of this report is to provide a brief description of the major algal taxonomy projects completed in Lake Whatcom and to create a digital image library of many of the taxa1 reported from the lake from 1987–2017. A simple taxonomic key is also included for students and citizen scientists who would like to develop their algal identification skills.

Eight taxonomy projects and hundreds of digital images were used to develop the Lake Whatcom algal species list and distribution summary. The eight projects were conducted between 1987 and 2017 and included identification of algal taxa to at least the …

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2019/2020 Report, Angela Strecker, Michael Hilles, Joan Pickens, Robert Mitchell, Robin Matthews, Geoffrey Matthews

Lake Whatcom Annual Reports

This report describes the results from the 2019/2020 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (www.wwu.edu/iws).

The major objectives in 2019/2020 were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2018/2019 Report, Robin A. Matthews, Angela Lee Strecker, Michael Hilles, Joan Pickens, Robert J. Mitchell, Geoffrey B. Matthews, Western Washington University

Lake Whatcom Annual Reports

This report describes the results from the 2018/2019 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (www.wwu.edu/iws).

The major objectives in 2018/2019 were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2017/2018 Report, Robin A. Matthews, Michael Hilles, Joan Pickens, Robert J. Mitchell, Geoffrey B. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Annual Reports

This report describes the results from the 2017/2018 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (www.wwu.edu/iws). The major objectives in 2017/2018 were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.

Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2016/2017 Report, Robin A. Matthews, Michael Hilles, Joan Pickens, Robert J. Mitchell, Geoffrey B. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Annual Reports

This report describes the results from the 2016/2017 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (www.wwu.edu/iws). The major objectives in 2016/2017 were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.

Fish Abundance And Habitat Recommendations Of The Lake Whatcom Tributaries, Ariel Edwards

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The tributaries of Lake Whatcom, Austin/Beaver, Anderson, Olsen, and Smith Creeks, provide essential habitat for many fish species native to the Pacific Northwest. However, development in the watershed has contributed to habitat alterations and even degradation of habitat quality. In this report, fish abundance and diversity, and habitat quality is compared both temporally, and among different streams. Anderson Creek was found to have the greatest species diversity. Cutthroat trout was the most abundant fish at each stream throughout the study period and was observed at every study site. Restoration recommendations for each stream were aimed at supporting existing native fish …

Lake Whatcom Water Quality - Presentation To Bellingham City Council, Robin A. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Other Reports

This presentation to the Bellingham City Council on the water quality of Lake Whatcom addresses the objectives of the Institute for Watershed Studies monitoring process and the impact of water quality problems caused by storm water runoff.

Lake Whatcom Water Quality Summary Report September 30, 2014 (Rev. Oct 9, 2014), Institute For Watershed Studies

Lake Whatcom Other Reports

This report summarizes the preliminary water quality data collected for the Lake Whatcom monitoring project from July–September 2014. The report format has been modified to enable hyperlinks to the figures; the links are indicated using blue text.

Lake Whatcom Bathymetry And Morphology, Robert J. Mitchell, Gerry Gabrisch, Robin A. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Bathymetry Report

Our objective for this study was to produce an accurate and usable bathymetric model and morphological data for Lake Whatcom to replace that produced by Lighthart et al. (1972). Herein, we summarize the techniques used to convert the 1999 the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) hydrographic survey soundings and shoreline contours of Lake Whatcom into metric units and a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) bathymetry model. We also describe the procedures used to delineate the major lake basins and to calculate surface area, water volumes, and other morphometric parameters for each basin and the lake as a whole.

Relationship Between Drinking Water Treatment Chemical Usage And Lake Whatcom Water Quality And Algal Data, Robin A. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Other Reports

This assessment is based on daily Bellingham City water treatment data provided by Peg Wendling and a composite data file containing monthly averages for City water treatment chemical data and Institute for Watershed Studies water quality and algal data collected at the Intake site. The monthly averages were calculated using all available depths and dates from September 1992 through May 2004. (Note that the 2004 data only include January through May.)

Strawberry Sill Water Quality Analysis, Robin A. Matthews

Lake Whatcom Other Reports

The Strawberry Sill sampling program was included as part of the long-term Lake Whatcom monitoring program. Five lake sites are included in the long-term monitoring program: Sites 1–4, located at the deepest points in their respective basins, and the Intake site (Figure 1, page 12). Beginning in October 1996, three sampling sites were added along the 40-meter contour of Strawberry Sill (Sites s1–s3 on Figure 2, page 13). The sill sampling effort was limited to monthly Hydrolab measurements and biannual water quality analyses. In October 2000, the sampling effort along the sill was reduced to a single site (s2), and …