Lake Whatcom is a large lake covering about 5,000 acres in southwestern Whatcom County. Its northern tip is located within the City of Bellingham, and it extends 10 miles south toward Skagit County. It is the drinking water source for over 100,000 Whatcom County residents. Lake Whatcom and its watershed provide important fish and wildlife habitat and valuable recreation opportunities. Lake Whatcom also has two primary water quality problems: too little dissolved oxygen in portions of the lake during the summer and too much fecal bacteria in the streams flowing into the lake. 

Whatcom County Council adopted the Lake Whatcom Comprehensive Stormwater Plan in 2008. The Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility provides supplemental funding for the county's Lake Whatcom stormwater management. 

Lake Whatcom Management Program

The Lake Whatcom Management Program (LWMP) is a joint effort between the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District to protect and preserve Lake Whatcom as a long-term source of drinking water. Visit the Lake Whatcom Management Program website for information on Lake Whatcom watershed management programs, activities, and updates.