WDFW News Release: Flooding prompts temporary closures of public access areas ne

[Pacific NW Ron]

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

January 31, 2020
Contacts: Richard Kessler, 360-739-3404;
Rachel Blomker, 360-701-3101

Flooding prompts temporary closures of public access areas near Ferndale in Whatcom County

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), in coordination with Whatcom County Parks, will temporarily close the Ferndale Nooksack River boat launch and public access to Hovander Park and the Tennant Lake Wildlife Area Unit in Whatcom County due to major flooding of the Nooksack River.

“We’ll reopen these public access sites as soon as water recedes,” said Richard Kessler, WDFW’s Whatcom Wildlife Area manager. “The Tennant Lake area is situated in the Nooksack River’s floodplain, so even minor river flooding can have big impacts.”

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the area that will remain in effect through Sunday morning. To see the latest forecast for the Nooksack River level, visit https://myferndalenews.com/nooksack-river-level-forecast/

Tennant Lake is an 80-acre, shallow lake located one mile southeast of Ferndale in Whatcom County, and is managed as part of WDFW’s Whatcom Wildlife Area.

WDFW actively manages about one million acres statewide, with 33 wildlife areas and nearly 500 water access sites around the state. These public lands help sustain wildlife habitat and public recreation opportunities for current and future generations.

WDFW is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.