Why Bellingham is buying up land around Lake Whatcom
The City of Bellingham has spent over $61 million since 2001 to acquire land around Lake Whatcom to protect its drinking water source, which remains impaired by excess phosphorus causing algae blooms. Efforts include land acquisition, stormwater treatment, and public education, with progress tracked under a 50-year Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan, though phosphorus levels remain unchanged despite ongoing initiatives.
The City of Bellingham, the third-largest landowner in the Lake Whatcom watershed, has invested over $61 million since 2001 to purchase land and preserve the lake’s water quality. Funded by watershed fees from utility customers, the city has protected more than 3,800 acres through acquisitions, conservation easements, and restrictive covenants to prevent further development near the lake. Lake Whatcom has been classified as an ‘impaired’ water body since 1998 due to excess phosphorus, primarily from stormwater runoff, fertilizer use, and deforestation. This pollution fuels algae blooms, reducing dissolved oxygen levels and threatening the lake’s ecosystem. The city, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District are legally required to reduce phosphorus levels to pre-development conditions. Land acquisition is one of several strategies used to meet the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goal of cutting 410 pounds of phosphorus annually. Other measures include stormwater treatment projects, public education on fertilizer use, and invasive species prevention. The TMDL targets a 50-year timeline, with 2026 marking the 10th year of implementation, though phosphorus levels remain stable according to Western Washington University’s annual monitoring. State Ecology spokesperson Scarlet Tang noted that no single solution can address water quality issues alone, emphasizing the need for combined efforts. The city and county have protected roughly a third of the 36,000-acre watershed, while the rest is owned by private timberland holders or individuals. Unlike Seattle’s fully protected Cedar River Reservoir, Lake Whatcom’s development potential makes its preservation efforts uniquely challenging. A draft reassessment of the TMDL, using updated modeling tools, suggests Bellingham is closer to meeting phosphorus reduction goals than previously estimated. Public Works Director Joel Pfundt highlighted ongoing efforts, including stormwater capital projects and community outreach, despite slow progress in key indicators like phosphorus levels and dissolved oxygen. The city’s approach balances immediate actions with long-term sustainability for future generations.
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