Flood Safety: Please Obey All Road Signs

The traffic safety signs you see while driving, biking, or walking near a roadway play a vital role in keeping you safe. This time of year, it’s not uncommon to encounter flooded roads, and you may come across signs that read ‘Water Over Roadway’ or ‘Road...

Whatcom Clean Water Program Is Asking for Your Help Preventing Pollution!

Bellingham, WA - This fall and winter, Whatcom Clean Water Program partners are asking local community members to take steps to keep our waterways clean and community healthy. As rains return following a dry summer, pollutants are washed off hard surfaces...

New River Gaging Stations in Whatcom County

In partnership with Whatcom County Public Works, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) installed two new gaging stations this fall and made upgrades to a third. These new stations will allow the county and others to better monitor rising water levels if the N...

Staffing Shortage Could Affect Whatcom County’s Snow Response

As winter 2022-2023 approaches, Whatcom County Public Works is facing significant staffing shortages for weather response operations – specifically, a shortage of employees who are licensed, qualified, and experienced in operating snow plows. 

Ope...

Flood Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants Update

The November 2021 floods caused significant property damage throughout our community. Our River and Flood Division has been working with willing landowners to seek FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to reduce the risk of future flood dama...

Floodplain Management in Whatcom County: Who Does What

Floodplain Management in Whatcom County: Who Does What

As we move into rain and flood season, here’s an overview of the organizations and jurisdictions that work together to reduce flood risks to infrastructure like homes, businesses, and roads i...

Sandbag Resources and Availability in Whatcom County

To help prepare for the upcoming flood season, many residents want to know where they can access sandbags to protect their homes and property. The Whatcom County Public Works Department has received several requests for sand and sandbag materials, and we&...

Nooksack River Levee System Repairs and Bank Protection Improvements

Following the November 2021 floods, 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. ...

Annual 'Flooding in Whatcom County' Newsletter Now Available Online

Many people in our community are still recovering from the devastating November 2021 floods. People want to know what local government is doing to help and to prepare for the coming rain and flood season. Our annual ‘Flooding in Whatcom...

Flood Response Update

Are you curious about what’s been happening in response to the November 2021 floods and what’s being done to prepare for future floods? We have been working with numerous partners to repair flood damage and take action to prepare for f...

Birch Bay Drive Pavement Rehabilitation Project Update

The Whatcom County Engineering Division wishes to announce that the Birch Bay Drive Pavement Rehabilitation Project (Jackson Rd to Shintaffer Rd), originally scheduled to be completed during the summer of 2022, has been delayed until 2023. This project wa...

Attend the Whatcom Farm Expo on April 23: There’s Something for Everyone in Agriculture

The sixth annual FREE Whatcom Farm Expo will be held on Saturday, April 23, at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Whether you already operate a farm and are looking for new ideas or markets, are thinking of starting a sma...

County sending letters to targeted property owners as part of flood mitigation grant application

The November 2021 flooding events severely impacted residents and businesses throughout our community.  As a result, Whatcom County and the Cities of Everson, Ferndale, and Sumas are leading an effort to develop a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program ...

County Committed to Partnership in Cross-Border Flood Planning Efforts

Read on...

Extreme Cold Weather and Possible Snow Continue

Whatcom County Awarded $1.94 Million in Federal Highway Funding for Two Birch Bay Area Projects

Federal funding of approximately $1.94 million has been awarded to Whatcom County Public Works to support two different road projects in the Birch Bay area. 

• The Birch Bay – Lynden Road and Blaine Road Intersection Improvements Project w...

Message Sent to School and Government Officials Regarding Winter Storm Response Capabilities

The following message was sent to school districts, fire districts, municipal, and other government agencies within Whatcom County on Oct. 12, 2021. 

Dear School/Government Official or Service Provider,

As we move into our second fall and winter wi...

Stormwater Contractors Invited to be Part of New Business List

Whatcom County is compiling a list of contractors who provide services related to stormwater facility maintenance, i.e. catch basin/manhole cleaning and/or repair, detention pond maintenance, storm pipe jetting and/or repair, vegetative management, and en...

Protect Vulnerable Birch Bay 'Berm' Plantings this July 4

BELLINGHAM, WA – The newly completed Birch Bay “Berm” includes over 110,000 young native plants that will restore shoreline habitat, help protect the beach from erosion during winter storms, and reduce project costs. Anyone c...

Neighbors Team Up with Whatcom County, State Agencies, to Clean Styrofoam Waste from Lake Samish

Recently, Lake Samish residents spent a rainy week out on the water gathering litter – but not the traditional plastic bottles, aluminum cars, or food packaging. These neighbors were picking up Styrofoam. The Styrofoam blocks were used as dock f...

Join Us for a Fun Volunteer Celebration and Beach Cleanup in Birch Bay with Giveaways

Low tides, free parking, guided naturalist beach walks, and free popsicles are just a few of the exciting things happening at Birch Bay State Park for the “Watershed Watchers: Day at the Beach” event from noon to 3pm on Saturday, June ...

Public Works Launches New Travel Planning Tool; COVID-19 Could Impact Snow Response

Whatcom County Public Works (WCPW) has launched a new online tool for residents that shows active construction projects and snow routes called the County Travel Planner; it includes an interactive map so travelers can plan their routes. This is especially...

Traffic Reduced to One Lane on Nootka Loop Starting Nov. 2 for Construction

P&P Excavating, LLC will construct stormwater improvements along Birch Point Drive at Nootka Loop (the east entrance to Birch Bay Village). These project improvements include installing a new catch basin with a check valve and additional storm pipe. T...

Leeward Way Daytime Road Closures Start Monday

A portion of Leeward Way will close from 7:00am to 7:00pm on weekdays starting Monday, October 26, through Friday, December 4. The closure will be about 150-feet north of Southgate Road. Crews will install a storm pipe to improve water drainage.

Leeward Way Drainage Improvement Construction Starts in October

Henifin Construction, LLC will construct stormwater improvements along Leeward Way to reduce standing water on the roadway during heavy rains. The work is scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 5, the roadwork will begin at Leeward Way and Southgate Road, and...

One Day Closure of Edgewater Lane's South Entrance Set For Aug. 26

The southerly entrance to Edgewater Lane will close from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm on Wednesday, August 26, for the installation of new storm pipe. The north entrance to Edgewater Lane will remain open.Visit the project website for additional information.

Northshore Drive / Edgewater Lane Stormwater Improvements Start Aug. 10

Whatcom County will improve the water quality of Lake Whatcom, the drinking water source for many city and county residents, with a project that will include installing a new 8-ft x 12-ft stormwater treatment vault and installing 600 feet of new stormwate...

Road Striping on Smith, Northwest and Axton Scheduled for July 28; Drivers Should Expect Long Delays

Pavement striping operations are scheduled from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday, July 28, on the following roads; 

• E. Smith Rd between Hannegan Rd & Guide Meridian

• W. Smith Rd between Guide Meridian & Ferndale City Limits

&a...

Lummi Island Ferry Crew Rescue Distressed Kayakers

Keen observation and quick action by the captain and crew of the Whatcom Chief saved two kayakers on Thursday, July 16. During a routine trip between Lummi Island and the mainland, Whatcom Chief Captain Gary Poole noticed a kayak in the distance that was ...

Pavement Striping on Smith, Silver Lake, and S. Pass Roads July 20-23

Pavement Striping operations are scheduled from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday, July 21, on Smith Road, from Hannegan to Northwest Drive. Drivers should expect long delays during this work. Please use alternate routes whenever possible.

Striping is also schedu...

Pavement Striping on Everson-Goshen Road Set for July 15; Drivers Should Expect Long Delays

Pavement striping operations are scheduled from 6am to 6pm Wednesday, July 15 on Everson-Goshen Road from SR 542 (Mt. Baker Hwy) to E. Pole Road. Drivers should expect long delays during this work. Please use alternate routes whenever possible. 

S...

Registration Open for Drought Planning and Preparedness Speaker Series

Community members are invited to join a virtual forum organized by the Whatcom Watershed Information Network and the Whatcom Marine Resources Committee (MRC) to learn about drought vulnerability and preparedness in Whatcom County, and drought contingency ...

Lummi Island Chip Seal Road Work Notification

Whatcom County has scheduled chip sealing on Lummi Island beginning Tuesday, July 7 and continuing through Thursday, July 9 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. This project includes all paved county roads and will begin in the Hales Pass...

Pavement Striping Everson Goshen Road Set for June 24; Drivers Should Expect Delays During Work

Pavement Striping operations are scheduled from 6am-6pm on Wednesday, June 24, for Everson Goshen Road. The affected portion of Everson Goshen Road is from Mt. Baker Hwy to E. Pole Road. Please use alternate routes when possible and plan for long delays w...

Public Invited to Help Collect Valuable Species Data Using Smartphone App

Community members are invited to become science volunteers as part of the newest project by the North Sound Stewards Program, organized by the Whatcom Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and RE Sources. The program will utilize iNaturalist, a free app and we...

Drivers Should Expect Delays during Roadway Chip Sealing Starting June 22

Each year Whatcom County Public Works selects roadways for preventative maintenance known as bituminous surface treatment, or commonly known as chip sealing. Most areas are selected on a rotating 10-12 year cycle.  Roadways in three areas of What...

03/26/20 Lummi Island COVID19 Ferry Sailing Schedule

03/26/20 FERRY Modified Schedule Effective during the COVID19 Pandemic

Lummi Island Ferry Fare Collection Update as of 3/26/20

Following Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 20-25 imposing a Shelter-in-Place Order and in an effort to minimize risk and maximum response to COVID19, we are implementing the following changes to the Lummi Island Ferry’s operations.