The Lake Whatcom comprehensive Stormwater Plan identifies drainage areas within Sudden Valley as areas for stormwater improvement projects for water quality improvements.
Project Updates
Project Benefits
Improve water quality entering Lake Whatcom
Reducing heavy metals
Reducing fecal coliform bacteria
Reducing total suspended solids
Reducing phosphorous loading of the lake
Lake Whatcom supplies drinking water to approximately 100,000 residents in the Bellingham area. Elevated levels of phosphorus have caused Lake Whatcom to be placed on Washington State's 303(d) listing as an impaired water body. This project will treat stormwater runoff to reduce phosphorus loading to Lake Whatcom. The planned improvements focus on runoff from developed residential areas in the Lake Whatcom watershed. The treatment facilities will be constructed on Sudden Valley Community Association (SVCA) property with appropriate easements. These improvements are planned primarily for stormwater flows that are currently conveyed to the lake with little or no treatment for particulate or dissolved nutrients. In addition to phosphorus removal, the 2022 Sudden Valley Stormwater Improvements project will provide additional environmental benefits. Although the benefits have not been quantified, the new treatment facilities will also remove heavy metals, fecal coliform bacteria, and total suspended solids. Habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms in the lake will be improved by the reduction of all of these water quality parameters.
Project Description
This project will provide water quality improvements by constructing 750 feet of new storm pipe and a new stormwater cartridge filter vault along Marigold Drive to reduce phosphorus and sediment loading of Lake Whatcom.
Whatcom County has entered into a design contract with Wilson Engineering, LLC for the project.