SUBWATERSHED

MASTER PLANS

Subwatershed Master Plans

BBWARM has completed subwatershed master plans for developed subbasins within the BBWARM district. This planning effort began in 2011 with EPA grant funding for the first plan and includes:

  • Inventory of existing stormwater systems and facilities (ditches, pipes, catch basins).

  • Hydrologic analysis and modeling of stormwater flows.

  • Identification and evaluation of stormwater problems and recommended solutions including maintenance, small works, and capital improvement projects.

  • Public participation through stakeholder meetings.

  • Completion of subwatershed master plans.

Each plan provides detailed information on stormwater facilities and stormwater flows within designated subbasins. The planning process includes a capital project scoring criteria used to prioritize projects for BBWARM's six-year capital plan and Whatcom County's Water Resources Improvement Program. Each subwatershed master plan is considered by Whatcom County Council as an amendment to the 2006 Birch Bay Comprehensive Stormwater Plan.

Inspecting a catch basin.

Whatcom County Public Works employee Andrew Tischleder inspects a catch basin for the stormwater facility inspection and inventory.

Birch Point Subwatershed Drainage Study

Whatcom County Public Works’ stormwater program has initiated an effort to study drainage patterns in the Birch Point area of Birch Bay. The overall goal of this study is to develop a more complete understanding of how stormwater runoff is conveyed through the watershed. Our consultant, Tetra Tech, is conducting a comprehensive hydraulic analysis of the drainage system, including existing and future land use scenarios, and will provide conceptual design options to mitigate flooding in residential areas impacted by stormwater runoff from upland areas of Birch Point. A final recommendations report will be made available to the public at the conclusion of the study and will provide a reference document for BBWARM and other organizations to use for future planning purposes.

Public Meeting Information

The BBWARM Advisory Committee hosted a public meeting about the Birch Point Subwatershed Drainage Study on January 18th, 2023 at the Birch Bay Village Clubhouse. The meeting consisted of a presentation by the consultant showing preliminary results from the study and a question-and-answer session to solicit community feedback on residents’ experience/knowledge on drainage patterns in their neighborhood to improve model predictions. This feedback will also be used to inform the options analysis and conceptual designs for drainage improvements. A second community meeting will be held in the spring of 2023 after the concept analysis is complete.

We are well aware of the flooding and drainage issues in Birch Bay. The primary goal of this meeting was to ensure the consultant has accurately captured the drainage patterns in your area via hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.

Click here to view the January 18th, 2023 presentation.


Subwatershed Master Plan Map

The map below shows subwatershed master plan areas. Subwatershed master plans will not be completed for rural subbasins in the Terrell Creek watershed.

Subwatershed Master Plan Documents

The final drafts of the three Subwatershed Master Plans and their accompanying documents are posted for your review:

  1. Central North Subwatershed Master Plan

  2. Central South Subwatershed Master Plan

  3. Birch Point, Terrell Creek Urban Area, and Point Whitehorn Subwatershed Master Plan