The Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) is designing an improved levee system south of downtown Ferndale to protect critical infrastructure.
Project Benefits
Provide reliable flood protection
Improve habitat, stormwater treatment, and recreational opportunities
Project Update
Initial work included field surveys in the fall and winter of 2020/2021 and evaluating design alternatives. Engineering design is currently underway. The 30% design phase is complete and included gathering information and evaluating design alternatives such as a partial realignment of Ferndale Road and river levee design features. The 60% design effort is scheduled for 2023. This phase will detail the preferred road and levee alignment. The construction schedule has not yet been determined.
Project Description
The current levee system on the Nooksack River does not provide reliable flood protection to critical infrastructure in the Ferndale area including: two water and one wastewater treatment plants, roads, parks, residences, and farmland. The proposed project will reduce flood risk to this critical infrastructure by improving the levee system. The project area extends sound of the intersection of Front Avenue and Cherry Street for about one mile.