River & Flood

Nooksack River Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP)

Nooksack Floodplain Integrated Planning Story Map

The Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) process aims to develop long-lasting solutions that reduce risks to cities, farms, and critical public infrastructure, while also improving fish habitat. View the FLIP Story Map for interactive maps and a narrative of the FLIP process, landscape, and history.

Nooksack River Floodplain Improvements Videos

This video series gives an overview of the Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) process with examples of actions being taken by our community.

View the River & Flood Video Series

Response to Floods

Whatcom County works with numerous partners to respond to flooding and prepare for future floods. Follow these links to learn more.

• Flood Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants - FEMA funding to reduce the risk of future flood damage to structures in flood-prone areas.
• Everson Flow Split Planning - Planning is underway to reduce flood hazards in the Everson overflow corridor 
• Flood Hazard Reduction Projects - Current projects to reduce flood hazards from the Nooksack River and other high flood risk areas. Also see the Flood Hazard Reduction Projects map for details on recent and current projects.
• Flood Damage Repair Projects map lists the recent repair projects to flood control structures.
• Flood Management Planning
  • Flood Management: Who Does What?
  • Nooksack River Gravel Removal FAQs
  • Lower Nooksack Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan update

Transboundary Flood Initiative

In October 2023, representatives from the State of Washington, the Province of British Columbia, local Tribes and First Nations, Whatcom County, and the City of Abbotsford signed the Nooksack and Sumas Transboundary Flood Initiative (TFI) Collaborative Framework. This established the TFI to better address repeated flooding events in the Nooksack and Sumas watersheds and the shared reliance on transboundary ecosystems and resources. The initiative aims to identify and pursue flood risk reduction and ecosystem restoration through:

• Research and planning
• Project review, coordination, and capital project support
• Pursuit of funding
• Communication

More information is available at the TFI webpage.