Inspection Gates at Bloedel Donovan Park Boat Launch

Boat launch area at a lake with boats and cars

The exit gate from the boat launch area will be installed approximately in the location shown in the photo above.

Construction begins in late July 2025 on the installation of 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 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 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. Signs with more information about remote inspections will be posted at the gates once installed.

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. 

What’s happening during construction?

Construction for this project starts July 30 and will continue over the coming weeks. Rest assured, the boat launch and access to the lake will remain open during this time, although a few parking spots may be temporarily unavailable. You’ll see crews installing the gates and the necessary conduit for the gate system. While working in the area, we will also be removing non-native vegetation to later re-plant with native species that can better filter stormwater to protect lake water quality.  

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