Judson Lake is an international 100-acre lake/wetland straddling the Canada/USA border in Whatcom County, Washington and Abbotsford, BC. The large US portion (75 acres) is owned by the State of Washington and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has jurisdiction over the small Canadian portion (25 acres) that has been the property of the Willms family since 1936.
Judson Lake is an important ecosystem, strategically located along the Pacific Flyway, playing host to more than sixty bird species including the Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle and several hawk and waterfowl species.
Due to progressively receding water levels, and despite a few pools dug on the Canadian side in years past, the lake struggles to support fish populations.
It has been overtaken by acres of the nasty non-native noxious weed Purple Loosestrife on both sides of the border.
Beloved conservationist and former Director of the BC Fish and Wildlife Department knew the score:
"Judson Lake is one of a few lakes in the area that is an important wildlife habitat. It's an important stopover area for migrating birds." But it is also a very environmentally compromised lake because, as he explained, "Judson Lake is now in the very late stages of ecological succession. It could very easily cease to be a water body." Martin’s concerns go far beyond lead levels in the lake that could be killing swans. He and others are also troubled that the water level of Judson Lake keeps steadily dropping, that non-native plant and animal species have been invading and taking over the lake… His goal, Martin explained, is to restore Judson Lake 'to a fully functioning lake and, in addition, it would be a side benefit if it helped the swans' (BC Groups to help Judson Lake – No Response yet from US authorities – Whatcom Independant, January 13, 2006).
