2019 Highlights

Whatcom County completed Phase II of the Agate Bay Stormwater Improvement Project. The project included the installation of three water quality treatment vaults, the replacement of failing pipes and culverts, the installation of new pipes and catch basins, and ditch stabilization. Photo: Installing new pipes along N Shore Road.

Whatcom County Parks and Recreation constructed five miles of new hike and bike trail at Lake Whatcom Park, including an extension of the Chanterelle Trail and improvements to the Brown Pow bike trail. Community volunteers have supported trail construction since 2015 by donating more than 6,000 hours of service. Photo: 2019 Volunteers building trail.

825 5th grade students learned about Lake Whatcom water quality issues, water and wastewater treatment, water conservation, and stormwater pollution prevention through the city’s Bellingham Water School program in 2019. Photo: Water Plant School Tour (P. Conrad).

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspectors conducted 12,923 watercraft inspections to prevent the spread of AIS to Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. Photo: Boat being inspected at Bloedel Donovan Check Station.

The City of Bellingham acquired four new properties in 2019 bringing the total area of land protected in the watershed to 11,031 acres. Photo: Washington Conservation Corps members conduct brush cutting at Uy property.

77 new households participated in the Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) in 2019. HIP projects improved 71,645 square feet of residential area including the largest HIP project to date, 23,443 square feet of native landscaping. Photo: HIP participant with yard sign (J. Coe, Whatcom Conservation Distict).