Algae Bloom at Wiser Lake. 

Wiser lake is located three miles south of Lynden. It is a 116-acre, shallow lake with a maximum depth of 10 feet. The Wiser Lake watershed is primarily used for agriculture and residential development. 

Upcoming Event: Wiser Lake Harmful Algae Bloom Info Session

Join WCHCS Environmental Health for the Wiser Lake Harmful Algae Bloom Info Session Thursday, September 21 6-7:30 pm at Ten Mile Grange (6950 Hannegan Rd, Lynden, WA 9826).

Chronic harmful algae blooms (HABs) have been an issue on Wiser Lake for over a decade. In 2022 Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) received grant funding to study the lake and learn about the main causes of HABs. This info session will be an opportunity to learn about HAB basics, the WCHCS project and ask our staff any questions. Come learn about the work Whatcom County Health and Community Services is doing on Wiser Lake.

If you have Questions? Contact WCHCS Environmental Health at 360-778-6000 or [email protected].

Recreational Opportunities

• Boating
• Fishing
• Lake access

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) maintains a public boat launch on the north side of the lake. WDFW has more information about fishing opportunities on Wiser Lake.

Harmful Algae Blooms on Wiser Lake

Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) has been collecting cyanobacteria samples on Wiser Lake since the early 2000’s, in response to public concerns about algae blooms. The sampling results show a consistent presence of toxin concentrations that were above the Washington State Department of Health recreational guidance values. 

In order to address this issue, WCHCS received a grant from the Department of Ecology in 2022 to study Wiser Lake and find the source of nutrient inputs. This involves collecting monitoring data pertaining to water and sediment quality, waterfowl use, and stream hydrology. Monitoring will last from May 2023 through April 2024. The next phase of the project will be data analysis and developing a set of recommendations.

Watershed Map

Sign Up for Project Updates

Using the Notify Me system, you can sign up to get notification by text or email whenever we have project updates to share. Follow these instructions:  

1. Go the Wiser Lake Updates Notify Me link and enter your e-mail address and/or phone number at the top of the page. 
2. Click on the envelope icon (email notification) or the phone icon (text notification) icon to set notification method preferences. 
3. You will get an e-mail or text confirmation from Civic Plus. Click the link to confirm your subscription.