Following the November 2021 foods, Whatcom County Public Works has been working with partners like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local diking and drainage districts to complete Nooksack River levee system repairs and bank protection improvements. Many repairs started immediately after the floods in late 2021. Repairs are either complete or in process at eight locations along the lower Nooksack River. Visit our website for more information about these projects.
The Nooksack River has a system of levees extending about 40 river miles from just upstream of Everson to Marine Drive near the mouth of the river in Bellingham Bay. There are also levees in the Deming and Nugent’s Corner area. Most levees are located on private property. Levees are co-managed by Whatcom County with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are designed to overtop at high flows. This allows flood water to disperse, slows down high flows, and reduces the likelihood of a levee breach or failure.