Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District

Berm Project Construction Update

The second project season for the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project (berm project) is now underway! The project contractor, Granite Construction, began staging equipment this week and work will resume on September 8, after Labor Day. Granite will start by replacing an outfall at Golf Course Creek, near the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce office. Crews will work their way northward, replacing outfalls throughout September. A project schedule is being developed and will be shared soon. Click here for more project information.

Last Chance to Register For This Fun Event!

Join us (virtually) for the 8th annual Run with the Chums event! This year we will celebrate healthy water, healthy habitat, and healthy people by holding a virtual fun run. This event will take place during Whatcom Water Week, from September 12-19. Check the event page for more information and choose your own watershed adventure! Get outside on your own schedule and at your own speed. 

Small Works Project Update

A new catch basin equipped with a check valve (a type of tide gate) is planned for installation at the Nootka Loop entrance near the mouth of Roger's Slough. This project’s goal is to reduce flooding to Birch Bay Village homes along the frontage of Birch Bay Drive caused by tidal backflow (pictured below). This work will be performed by the County’s Maintenance and Operations crew during the last week of September. More information on this project and other small works projects can be found on the BBWARM website.

Terrell Creek Habitat Improvement Project

Whatcom County Public Works completed a habitat improvement project on Terrell Creek on August 12 in coordination with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) Terrell Creek Restoration Plan. A low-flying helicopter delivered approximately 200 large, locally-sourced cedar and fir logs to a 2.5-mile stretch of Terrell Creek between Kickerville and Jackson roads. BBWARM helped fund the project which was part of the required mitigation work for the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project. The placed logs include the tree root wad and will benefit salmon and other aquatic species. Large woody debris in streams provides excellent habitat for fish and reduces shoreline erosion. Click here to see a video of the helicopter in action! More information on BBWARM habitat improvement projects can be found on the BBWARM website.