LYNDEN, Wash. — Officials with Whatcom County Health and Community Services (Health) said today, September 8th, that they received a grant from the Department of Ecology in 2022 to study Wiser Lake in order to determine the causes of chronic harmful algae blooms (HABs) that have been a health problem for years.
According to Health, Wiser Lake 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.
As a result of samples showing high levels of toxins produced by algae during warm weather, advisories have been issued over the years warning that people and pets should avoid contact with the lake water.
The grant has enabled Health officials to begin studying the lake and the surrounding area to determine the source(s) of nutrients that feed algae blooms.
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. Whatcom County Health and Community Services (September 2023)
A public meeting has been scheduled for September 21st from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Ten Mile Grange Hall, 6950 Hannegan Road, to explain the work performed so far and to answer questions from the public.