CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Stormwater capital improvement projects (CIPs) are construction projects that replace or improve old stormwater drainage systems to protect water quality and reduce the risk of flooding. CIPs typically include stormwater facilities like treatment swales, vaults, and catch basins that remove pollutants from stormwater. They may also include new beach outfall structures that protect the shoreline from erosion or reduce maintenance requirements. Capital projects are designed to reduce the risk of flooding by improving stormwater flow capacity. BBWARM has a CIP program based the Birch Bay Comprehensive Stormwater Plan and Subwatershed Master Plans. Read more about our capital improvement projects and process below.

Stormwater Division Project Priorities


The Stormwater Division of Whatcom County Public Works provides a variety of programs, such as education and outreach, capital improvement projects, and maintenance of stormwater facilities within the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District (BBWARM) and the Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility. The division also manages the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and the Lake Whatcom TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) plan to reduce phosphorus. In addition, the division supports some water quality outreach and capital project development in the Lake Samish Basin and other special assignments for which the division is uniquely qualified.

Recent winter storms heavily impacted many areas throughout Whatcom County, including the Stormwater Division’s focus areas. As a result, additional capital projects resulting from storm damage have been added to the already aggressive workload of the Stormwater Division. As a consequence, the Stormwater Division must prioritize certain storm damage repairs ahead of programmed improvements. Reprioritization will be based on answers to the following questions:

  1. Does the lack of immediate repair impact public safety?

  2. Is the project a mandatory repair driven by local, state or federal requirements?

  3. Is the storm damaged drainage system resulting in on-going environmental impacts?

  4. Will future storms provide greater public and/or private property damage?

  5. Is the project included in a designated FEMA disaster declaration?

While the division would like to implement all previous commitments to scheduled capital projects, the unprecedented nature of the recent storms requires some schedule adjustments. Every effort will be made to complete storm related projects as soon as possible.

OUR PROJECTS

SEMIAHMOO DRIVE

Drainage Improvement Project

Construction to begin in 2022 - Semiahmoo Drive Drainage Improvements: The project is currently at the 90% design level. Click here to see project photos and learn more.

HOLEMAN AVENUE

Stormwater Improvement Project

Construction TBD - Holeman Avenue Stormwater Improvements: The initial survey has been completed and the design will be drafted soon. Click here to see project photos and learn more.

HARBORVIEW ROAD & BIRCH BAY DRIVE

Drainage Improvement Project

2021 Construction - Harborview Road & Birch Bay Drive Storm Drainage Improvements Project: The project was completed in the fall of 2021 and has successfully reduced road and property flooding as a result of high tides and storm events. Click here to learn more.

BIRCH BAY DRIVE & PT. WHITEHORN ROAD

Drainage Improvements

2018-19 Construction - Birch Bay Drive & Pt. Whitehorn Road Drainage Improvements: Phase II of the drainage improvements project on Birch Bay Drive reached substantial completion in November 2019 and final work was finished in February 2020. Click here to learn more.

NORTH COTTONWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

at Hazel Lane

2018 Construction - North Cottonwood Neighborhood (Hazel Lane) Stormwater Improvements Project: Hazel Lane project reached substantial completion on November 14th, 2018. Click here to learn more.

COTTONWOOD DRIVE

Stormwater Improvement Project

2017 Construction - Cottonwood Drive Stormwater Improvements Project: Construction of a new inlet structure in the Cottonwood Court neighborhood was completed in 2017. Click here to learn more.

BIRCH POINT DRAINAGE SYSTEM REPAIR

at DNR Property

2016 Construction - Collaborative Drainage System Repair on Birch Point: The Birch Point outfall was completed in November 2016. Click here to learn more.

SEAVIEW DRIVE

Drainage Upgrade

2015 Construction - Seaview Drive Drainage Upgrade: Construction was completed in December 2015. Click here to learn more

BEACHWAY DRIVE & FERN PARK

Stormwater Improvement Project

2014 Construction - Beachway Drive & Fern Park Stormwater Improvement Project: Construction was completed in the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015. Click here to learn more.

CHAREL TERRACE

Stormwater Improvement Project


2011 Construction - Charel Terrace Stormwater System Improvements: Construction was completed in November 2011 on this Birch Point project. Click here to see project photos and learn more.

COTTONWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

at Cedar Avenue

2013 Construction - Cottonwood Neighborhood Drainage Improvements: Construction was completed in November 2013. Click here to see project photos and learn more.

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Click here to learn how stormwater capital projects in the Birch Bay watershed have been identified and selected for engineering evaluation and design.

SUBWATERSHED MASTER PLANS

Click here to view the final drafts of the three Subwatershed Master Plans and their accompanying documents.