Preserving land in its natural forested condition is an important way that local government is protecting Lake Whatcom. Forested land soaks up and naturally filters rainwater, reducing impacts to the lake from high flows and pollution. Our duty to provide clean water for over 100,000 residents begins with careful land management.
In 2001, the City began a program to purchase available land in the Lake Whatcom Watershed, funded by watershed fees. As of December 2024, we have purchased more than 2,800 acres in the watershed and protected an additional 164 acres of land through conservation easements or restrictive covenants.
Selling property in the watershed
Interested in selling your property in the Lake Whatcom Watershed? Learn how you can sell your property and leave a legacy of protection in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.
Protected lands in the watershed
Visit the interactive Lake Whatcom Watershed Protected Properties Map to view the land currently protected in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.
Some properties are highlighted in more detail below:
- Agate Bay Preserve
- Agate Creek Preserve
- Agate Pond Preserve
- Anderson Creek Preserve
- Blue Canyon Preserve
- Crabtree Preserve
- Dutch Harbor Preserve
- Koblitz Preserve
- Lake Geneva Preserve
- LaPlant Preserve
- Lookout Mountain Preserve
- McAtee-Wells Preserve
- Olsen Creek Preserve
- Oriental Creek Preserve
- Scudder’s Pond
- Silver Beach Preserve
- Strode Preserve
- Three Creeks Preserve
- Three Rivers Preserve
- Watts Family Preserve
- Zarnowitz Preserve
Additional Information
- Lake Whatcom Watershed Protected Properties Map
- Resolution Adopting Property Management Plan
- Lake Whatcom Reservoir
- Lake Whatcom Advisory Board
- Selling Property in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
For more information, please contact the Property Acquisition Specialists at lwwacquisitions@cob.org or (360) 778-7985.
