Upper Silver Beach Creek Stream Stabilization Project

Project Overview

This project consists of new stormwater treatment facilities in the Brownsville neighborhood of the Silver Beach Creek sub-basin near Lake Whatcom. This area experiences increased stormwater runoff and greater peak flows due to its developed landscape. The new facilities substantially improve water quality and reduce flooding along this especially problematic reach of Silver Beach Creek between Brownsville Drive and East 16th Place. This project includes vegetated swales, a raised and widened stream channel, stabilized slopes, and stormwater treatment vaults at key inflows. These improvements will promote infiltration, filter phosphorus-containing sediment, reduce erosion, and alleviate flooding.

The Brownsville Drive to E. 16th Place Project is the second of three Whatcom County Public Works stormwater improvement projects in the Silver Beach Creek sub-basin. Part of the funding for this project came from local real estate excise tax revenues and a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant.

Whatcom County Public Works was awarded the 2012 Environmental Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association Washington State Chapter for water quality improvements resulting from the Brownsville Drive to E. 16th Place Project in the Silver Beach Creek sub-basin.


Project Details

  • Jurisdiction: Whatcom County

  • Contractor: Colacurcio Brothers Construction

  • Final Construction Cost: $900,000

  • Completion Date: September 30, 2011


Project Area

The Brownsville to E. 16th Project is located in the Brownsville neighborhood in the Silver Beach Creek sub-basin of the Lake Whatcom Watershed.


Contact

Kraig Olason, Stormwater Program Manager

Whatcom County Public Works Stormwater Division

Phone: (360) 778-6230

Email: Whatcom County Public Works - Stormwater

Resources

Deeply incised and eroded banks at Silver Beach Creek near Megan Lane

View of Megan Lane after construction

View of swale with vegetation starting to establish