Lake Samish Association - Your Helpful Guide to Life on Lake Samish

Your Helpful Guide to Life on Lake Samish

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Water Quality

WHAT: The Lake Samish watershed is located in Whatcom County in the northwest corner of Washington State and comprises a total water volume of over 30,000 acre-feet. The watershed is not just a source of drinking water for lake residents it also plays an important role in the community's recreation.

Lake Samish has been monitored for many years, generally beginning with regularity in the 1990’s although limited data prior to that period can be found in some early reports and studies. Currently the lake is sampled at 4 locations, with 4 tributaries monitored throughout the year. Samples are analyzed for a number of water quality parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity (Lake), nutrients, pH, conductivity, fecal coliform. Flow information is also collected for a number of tributaries in the watershed.

WHEN: The majority of the current monitoring is being conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS) at Western Washington University under a contract with the Samish Water District. IWS provides reports summarizing details of the monitoring programs and results. These reports can be viewed at the IWS website. The website also provides on-going results for each site in the form of graphs and other statistical representations, as well as written descriptions. A summary of findings from the 2005-2008 Final Report and associated management actions can be downloaded.
Click below to see the full report:

Lake Samish Monitoring Report (2008)

LSA ACTION: The Assocation is currently working with Whatcom County Stormwater Division.

STATUS: Just recently the Lake Samish Watershed Management Advisory Committee (LSWMAC) voted to “temporarily suspend” all activities. Established in 2003 by the Board of Commissioners for the Samish Water District its purpose was to give residents a forum for staying informed regarding issues relative to water quality within the area. Whatcom County has now taken the lead role in regards to issues and actions relative to water quality and watershed management in the Samish water basin and therefore diminishes need at this time for the Samish Water District to continue having a separate Committee.

The Whatcom County Stormwater Division has received $110,000 worth of funding for the preparation of a Lake Samish Stormwater Plan. The LSA has invited Kirk Christensen to the General Meeting on October 22 to explain this development in further detail.

LSA CONTACT:

8-24-09: See this link for important LSWMAC updated information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: