Lake Whatcom Stormwater Capital Program

For this project we implemented an update to the capital projects section of the Lake Whatcom Comprehensive Stormwater Plan (LWCSP). The primary goal of this effort was to identify new capital projects that would help reduce phosphorus loading to Lake Whatcom. To meet this goal, we conducted extensive field reconnaissance in the Lake Whatcom watershed to identify candidate sites for stormwater and stream restoration capital projects. We developed a system for prioritizing specific projects for implementation based on their feasibility, cost effectiveness, and overall benefit for reducing phosphorus loading to the lake. Through this effort, we worked with the County to identify 30 stormwater treatment retrofits and 9 creek restoration projects in the Lake Whatcom watershed to support the goal of improving water quality in the lake.