Whatcom Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whatcom Creek |
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Whatcom Creek in Whatcom Falls Park
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Whatcom, Bellingham, Washington 328 ft (100 m) 48°45′28″N 122°25′16″W / 48.7577778°N 122.4211111°W |
| River mouth | Whatcom Creek Waterway, Bellingham Bay 16 ft (4.9 m) 48°45′11″N 122°29′05″W / 48.7530556°N 122.4847222°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Whatcom Creek → Whatcom Creek Waterway → Bellingham Bay |
| GNIS ID | 1509442 |
Whatcom Creek is a cool waterway in Bellingham, Washington. It is located in the United States.
This creek is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long. It flows out of Lake Whatcom. The water travels through Whatcom Falls Park. Then it goes right through the city of Bellingham. Finally, it empties into Bellingham Bay. The creek begins at a control dam on Lake Whatcom. In Whatcom Falls Park, the creek tumbles over many waterfalls. It drops from about 350 feet (110 m) to about 80 feet (24 m) above sea level. After the falls, it flows across a flat area. This leads to downtown Bellingham. Here, the creek goes over more falls. The very first lumber mill in the area was built here in 1854. It used the creek's power.
In the early 1850s, two men, Henry Roeder and Mr. Peabody, were looking for a good spot to build a sawmill. They heard about a creek up north. Local Native Americans called it "Whatcom." Some say this name means "noisy waters." The men canoed to Bellingham Bay. They found a large creek with a 35-foot waterfall. They decided to build their mill there. This was the beginning of the city of Bellingham.
Whatcom Creek is also home to a small fishery. You can find trout and salmon here. Only people under 18 years old are allowed to fish above the falls. In the fall, many people fish below the falls. You can often see large salmon jumping up the waterfalls.
Understanding the Olympic Pipeline Incident
On June 10, 1999, something serious happened. A gasoline pipeline broke. This pipeline was operated by the Olympic Pipe Line Company. It passed over Whatcom Creek. About 277,000 gallons of gasoline spilled into the creek. This led to a large explosion and fire. Sadly, three people lost their lives. After the incident, the Olympic Pipe Line Company admitted to a serious crime. They paid $112 million in fines. The creek valley is still recovering from this event.
The Path of Whatcom Creek
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The Lake Whatcom control dam gates at the start of the creek
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Derby Pond, where water is sent to a fish hatchery
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The 1939–40 WPA stone bridge over the creek, with the main falls above it
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A smaller waterfall located below the bridge
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This part of the creek valley is still healing in 2020 from the 1999 explosion
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The lower falls, found in downtown Bellingham
