The Lake Samish Basin is an 8,020 acre watershed located in the southwest corner of Whatcom County, Washington.  The basin drains to Lake Samish (an 826 acre, freshwater lake) and is a sub-basin of the Samish River Basin which drains to Samish Bay.   In addition to providing many recreational opportunities, Lake Samish serves at the primary drinking water source for approximately 95% of residents in the area, most of whom draw their water directly from the lake.  Recent monitoring studies have revealed a decline in the lake water quality due, in part, to sediment and external nutrient loading from development and land use practices within the basin.   Since there is no public water treatment and distribution system within the basin, this deteriorating water quality could eventually represent a public health and safety issue.

 

 In response to this situation, the Whatcom County Stormwater Division has recently initiated a stormwater planning effort for the Lake Samish Basin, the purpose of which will be to develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan for the area.

 

Goals of the Lake Samish Comprehensive Stormwater Planning Effort

  1. Identify and Address Public Stakeholder Issues Regarding Stormwater Issues in the Basin.
  2. Construct and Calibrate a Working Hydrologic Model for the Lake Samish Basin.
  3. Review Current Stormwater Codes, Regulations, and Programs and Recommend Modifications, as Necessary, to Address Issues in the Basin.
  4. Identify and Rank Potential Stormwater Programs and Projects to Address Issues in the Basin.
  5. Craft a Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan for the Basin.
  6. Identify Funding Mechanisms for Implementation of the Plan Project.

Contact Information

Kraig Olason

Senior Planner

Public Works Stormwater Division

360-715-7450

kolason@co.whatcom.wa.us