Flood Control Zone District
Repair and Maintenance Program
The rivers, streams, and coastlines of Whatcom County are subject
to conditions that often  destabilize
natural systems or damage constructed flood protection works,
primarily levees and bank protection projects. If left unchecked,
flood damages and the cost of repairs to infrastructure can increase
dramatically. The Whatcom County Public Works Department administers
the Flood Control Repair and Maintenance Program to address these
problem areas and mitigate future flood damages in a proactive
and cost-effective manner. The photo at left demonstrates the
bioengineered bank stabilization project on the Nooksack River
near Ferndale immediately after construction.
The program has been developed to include a cost-share with
a local sponsor. Typically, local sponsors are diking districts,
sub-flood control zones, drainage districts, or property owners.
Project applications are solicited once a year. A subcommittee
of the Flood Control Zone District Advisory  Committee
visits the sites and prioritizes project applications. When prioritizing
projects, the subcommittee evaluates what is at risk, whether
the risk is likely to increase if a project is not undertaken,
benefits and costs of a project, and evidence of efforts taken
by those directly benefiting from the project.
Staff from the Public Works River and Flood Division initiates
the process to implement solutions for those project applications
receiving a high priority. This process can include alternatives
analysis, design, permitting, construction and monitoring of a
repair project. This process has become more complex in recent
years with the listing of spring Chinook and bull trout under
the Endangered Species Act. Projects are now designed to include
mitigation for any potential adverse impacts to fish and their
habitat and improve habitat conditions.
South Fork of the
Nooksack River - Bank stabilization project:
| Construction of upstream hard point
for cedar tree revetment: |
Bank stabilized with cedar tree
revetment provides significant fish habitat: |
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