Everson Flow Split Reach

As a result of the catastrophic November 2021 flooding, a new priority for flood hazard reduction was identified for the area upstream of Everson where water overflows the Nooksack River and flows north to Sumas, Abbotsford, and the Fraser River. A new planning team is working to evaluate flows and identify possible solutions. 

Everson Flow Split area

Location

The Everson Flow Split Reach is located at the confluence of three of the lower river reaches – Reach 4 (Deming to Everson), Reach 3 (Everson to Guide Meridian), and Reach 5 (Everson to Sumas).

Team Members 

The Everson Flow Split Reach Team is comprised of members from the tribal governments of Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe and a diverse group of stakeholders representing interests of the agricultural community, small cities (Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Lynden and Ferndale), Whatcom County, public and private utilities, state and federal agencies, and universities. The reach team is supported technically by consulting facilitators, engineers, geomorphologists, and biologists.   

Goals

  • Reduce flood risk in the Everson-Sumas overflow corridor without transferring risk downstream
  • Reduce flood risk throughout the floodplain and improve habitat in the mainstem
  • Create long-term dependable funding program(s) to support flood risk reduction and salmon recovery
  • Complete technical foundation and alternatives analysis of flood risk reduction measures to enable selection of a preferred alternative
  • Inform the Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) process  

Status

Team members attended a design charrette and field trip on April 25-26, 2022 to develop shared values, share information, generate ideas and possible solutions to reduce flood risk and support salmon recovery, and further develop possible solutions into project concepts. The team met again on October 11, 2022 to discuss the outcomes of the design charrette and share feedback to ensure that team members are in agreement with the proposed list of actions and that they align with the shared values of the team. 

Early Action Projects

Documents

Meeting Documents

Date
Meeting Name/Agenda
Presentations
Notes
April 25-26, 2022Flow Split Design Charrette and Field TripMeeting Notes
October 11, 2022Flow Split Charrette Tradeoffs and Implementation WorkshopFlow Split Charrette Tradeoffs and Implementation Workshop
April 28, 2023Flow Split WorkshopFlow Split Reach Team Spring Progress Workshop
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