Inspection Gates at Bloedel Donovan Park Boat Launch

In 2025, the Lake Whatcom Management Program installed new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) check station gates at the Bloedel Donovan Park boat launch. The gates will help ensure uninspected boats don’t enter Lake Whatcom during hours when seasonal AIS staff are not working on-site. Boat launch access is not changing — the launch will still be open year-round during park hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.). If boaters launch when AIS staff are not at the park, they will just need to make a quick call to do a remote inspection.

How do the gates work?

Anytime during open park hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) that AIS staff are not working on-site (primarily between mid-October through late April), individuals launching their boat at the park will need to call a dedicated hotline for a remote, staff-assisted inspection. A trained AIS staff member will guide the boater through verbal steps to verify the boat has a valid permit and is clean, drained, and dry. The phone call will also include questions about where the boat was last launched. If the boat has a valid permit and is considered low-risk, staff can remotely open the gate to let the boat through.

If more information is needed, a permit is needed, or the boat has a higher risk of carrying aquatic invasive species, staff will meet with the individual on-site to conduct an in-person inspection during work hours or schedule an inspection for a later date. Signs with more information about remote inspections will be posted at the gates.

Why are the gates there?

Due to growing visitation to our local lakes and increased proximity of AIS detections to Whatcom County (such as in the Snake River in Idaho), additional efforts are needed to protect our drinking water, recreational access, and lake health. Adding gates at the Bloedel Donovan Park boat launch – the most popular boat launch in Whatcom County – will help reduce the number of uninspected boats entering Lake Whatcom. This reduces the risk of aquatic invasive species being carried on boats into our drinking water source where they can damage drinking water infrastructure, harm lake health, and impact recreational access.

Boaters play a critical role in protecting the lake. Please help us by ensuring all boats are cleaned, drained, and dried between uses.