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Department of Ecology News Release - December 2, 2004
04-221
BELLINGHAM - Underground water discharging into Lake Whatcom may be one of the causes for elevated phosphorus levels in the lake, according to a newly released study from the state Department of Ecology (Ecology).
Information was gathered from 14 monitoring sites around Lake Whatcom during the 2002-03 study period. Several sites reported higher than expected levels of phosphorus. In particular, the Sudden Valley golf course and Bloedel-Donovan park sites reported high levels.
Phosphorus is a significant factor causing low oxygen in water, which in turn threatens the survival of fish and aquatic plants.
The phosphorus findings are part of a water-quality cleanup study, also referred to as a total maximum daily load (TMDL). This phase of the study examined the quality of the ground water discharging into the lake and looked at the existing levels of phosphorus in that water. The study will be used in forming a plan for improving water quality in Lake Whatcom.
Phosphorous pollution often is caused by an assortment of human activities, such as leaky septic systems and heavy fertilizer use, said Charles Pitz, a hydrogeologist with Ecology.
With respect to Lake Whatcom, Ecology officials recommend evaluating the current turf-management practices at the Sudden-Valley golf course and the effect of the restroom facility at Bloedel-Donovan Park to limit the amount of phosphorus seeping into the ground.
"If we want to clean up the lake and make it healthier, we need to change the human behaviors that are causing the problems," said Steve Hood, a water-quality engineer with Ecology.
The draft report on the Lake Whatcom underground water study is available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0403050.html.
Ecology is accepting public comment on the draft report through Jan. 3, 2005. Comments may be e-mailed to chpi461@ecy.wa.gov or mailed to Charles Pitz, Department of Ecology, Environmental Assessment Program, P.O. Box 47710, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7710.
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Media contact: Khalid Galant, Public Information Officer, 360-738-6247
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
