The lower Nooksack River starts at the confluence of the three upper forks near Deming and flows downstream to Bellingham Bay. The lower river experiences the most severe damages during flood events and has been the focus for several comprehensive planning efforts. Completed plans are listed below. Note - These documents may take a long time to load due to their file size.

Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) Process

Reports and documents located here.

Nooksack River System-Wide Improvement Framework (SWIF)

This recently completed plan provides a systematic approach for resolving deficiencies identified during recent levee inspections so that the levees remain eligible for repair through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) PL 84-99 Rehabilitation Program.

• Nooksack SWIF Final (2017)
• Appendix A: Salmon Recovery Early Action #3: Integrate salmon recovery needs into floodplain management planning
• Appendix B: Summary of 2015 Continuing Eligibility Inspections
• Appendix C: Nooksack River Levee Vegetation Management Plan
• Appendix D: Activities Included in Streamlined Permit Process for Nooksack River Levee Maintenance and Minor Repairs
• Appendix E: Prioritization of SWIF Capital Project List
• Appendix F: Levee Maintenance Work Plans

Nooksack Watershed Vision and Implementation Strategies

This draft vision was developed over a three-month period in response to a request from Floodplains by Design, a collaborative effort to promote and fund projects which integrate flood hazard reduction with salmon recovery and community and agricultural viability.  The SWIF Interagency Coordination Team was utilized to guide the development of the vision.

• Nooksack River Watershed Vision and Implementation Strategies (2015)

Lower Nooksack River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP)

Adopted in 1999, this plan provides detailed recommendations for flood hazard reduction strategies along the lower Nooksack River. The plan is currently being updated to integrate flood management strategies with the needs of salmon and the agricultural land uses within the floodplain.

• Lower Nooksack River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (1999)

During and since development of the CFHMP, several studies have been completed to advance specific project components recommended in the plan.

Hydrologic & Hydraulic Analyses

• Nooksack River Flood History (1995)
• Lower Nooksack River Unsteady-Flow Model Development (2001)
• Lower Nooksack River Unsteady-Flow Model and Analysis of Initial Scenarios Near Everson (2004)
• Analysis of Selected Scenarios (2005)
• Calibration Results for 2003 Events (2005)
• Flood Frequency Analysis at Deming, Ferndale, and Everson (2005)
• Calibration of the 2010 FIS Model (2012)

Sediment Management Studies

• Historic Gravel Management Practices (1994)
• Sediment Supply and Transport (1995)
• Nooksack River Sediment Management Plan: Summary of Background Information (2005)
• Nooksack River Sediment Management Plan: Appendix A Report Summaries (2005)
• Updated Sediment Analysis for Lower Nooksack River ( 2008)
• Nooksack River Sediment Pilot Project Analysis (2013)

Geomorphic Investigations

• Historic Channel Locations of the Nooksack River Part 1 (2004)
• Historic Channel Locations of the Nooksack River Part 2 ( 2004)
• Lummi Fish Hatchery Intake Conditions Analysis (2014)

Reach-Specific Integrated Project Planning

Reach 1: Interstate 5 to Bellingham Bay

• Reach 1 Lower Nooksack River Project (LNRP) Alternatives Analysis (2015)
• Reach 1 LNRP Appendix A: Hydraulic Modeling
• Reach 1 LNRP Appendix B: Habitat Analysis
• Reach 1 LNRP Appendix C: Geomorphology Report
• Reach 1 LNRP Appendix D: Flood Depth
• Reach 1 LNRP Appendix G: Salmon Habitat Maps
• Reach 1 LNRP Appendix H: Waterfowl Habitat Maps
• Reach 1 LNRP Appendix I: Cost Estimate

Reach 4: Confluence of Upper Forks near Deming to Everson Bridge

• Upper Reach 4 Levee Setback Alternatives, Costs and Economics (2016)
• Upper Reach 4 Geomorphic Assessment (2016)
• Lower Reach 4 Geomorphic Assessment (2016)

Salmon and Salmon Habitat

In addition to flood planning, local resource agencies developed a Salmonid Recovery Plan for the Nooksack River watershed and coastal tributaries within Whatcom County (Water Resource Inventory Area Number 1 or WRIA1). The plan, habitat assessments, and other salmon-related studies can be found on the WRIA 1 Salmon Recovery Board website.