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Home My WebLink AboutPacket Water Work Session Jul 18 2023Whatcom County Council Water Work Session COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Meeting Agenda Tuesday, July 18, 2023 10:30 AM Civic Center Building Conference Room / Hybrid Meeting HYBRID MEETING - (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010) COUNCILMEMBERS Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. Council Water Work Session Meeting Agenda July 18, 2023 Call To Order Roll Call Announcements Individuals who require special assistance to participate in the Council's meetings are asked to contact the Council Office at 360.778.5010 at least 96 hours in advance. This committee meeting is also noticed as a meeting of the Whatcom County Council, with the agenda limited to committee business. Watershed Planning Update Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) update Washington Conservation Corps activity overview Whatcom County Watershed Portal overview WRIA 1 Planning Unit update Other Business Adiournment Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 411112025 WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ELIZABETH KOSA Director MEMORANDUM NATURAL RESOURCES 322 N. Commercial Street, Suite 110 Bellingham, WA 98225 Telephone: (360) 778-6230 FAX: (360) 778-6231 www. whatcomcounty. us TO: The Honorable Satpal Singh Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive, and Honorable Members of the Whatcom County Council THROUGH: Elizabeth Kosa, Director FROM: Gary S. Stoyka, Natural Resources Program Manager DATE: July 12, 2023 RE: July 18, 2023 Council Water Work Session Please refer to the proposed agenda below for the next Water Work Session. Additional supporting documents may be distributed at or before the meeting. AGENDA Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Place: Hybrid Meeting: In Person: Civic Center Garden Level Conference Room (322 N. Commercial St., Street Level) Virtual: For instructions on how to watch or participate in this meeting, please visit us at www.whatcomcounty.us/ioinvirtualcouncil or contact the Council Office at 360.778.5010. View meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, videos, and archives at www.whatcom.legistar.com. Time Topic Council Action Background Information Requested Attached 10:30 AM — Watershed Planning Update Informational None 10:45 AM 10:45 AM — Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) update Informational None 11:15 AM 11:15 AM — Washington Conservation Corps activity Informational None 11:35 AM overview 11:35 AM — Whatcom County Watershed Portal overview Informational None 11:50 AM 11:50 AM — WRIA 1 Planning Unit update Informational None 12:00 PM If you have questions, please feel free to call me at (360) 778-6218. cc: Dana Brown -Davis Kristi Felbinger Jill Nixon Jennifer Schneider Karen Frakes Erika Douglas John Thompson Paula Harris Kraig Olason Chris Elder Cathy Craver Doug Ranney Melissa Donnelly Roland Middleton Erin Page Josh Fleischmann Mark Personius Tyler Schroeder Sue Sullivan Brandy Reed Bennett Knox n �• F , fir43 �r t s ' ' ',�a 'Yy_ l !:•� r' .f., pya !' f ��'d i u�3g ��--_,1 ,: Y'f';� y��`� .�� '�:,,i i �'r`� J�� 'ili ts$ :1: '� _. i::, y, �. �- :� .p"� •� �:.� ;1 af„ . .. - .� r�a .{��-'? .. f. ,I �� f.*r��t % r'ir ��. i-- � � P� �' f�s '✓y� _,..if � •�_�� _) `ra, `^, a -{,jai "�. - a�^.yy.y�a,•y� l.'� @q�'e' ' yy��S .'�� i •� d �, i. o�V. X ,s, J t .S,..7, :j�: - - ' =�-_ _•c Mc 'Y��Y ar'NFpttt� -.e s�.4--�_fi.f x:i � - :�"'1� .-;t!'- _ f. `"'�' ^,'�"�.,.^"'�;, __ "`x •. _ :a J,! •YI � ,e�". - �+ �i'p4 ..i" :;rf3.�' *.hYn,.' A�' if itj ri. � � ~'F°' �.•,yS." 'x^ '; 7 ;s-�� .j.. �� x ^T ..tC 4'r..,i �J.�(j-�Lf��t�� '�.� ,VT ..yf, i. �i - 5,1F L ♦ �Y�..♦r�� "�+', �� ,i.� i L�.. fi' 4. 44 �d, ';i '1 �.. -;`' r �`y i 7'-•_c' .�`•TM..- ,< . Hr:;�•. �� %..:�✓ a s. .r:ti,{. P ��rd �,� �iii` 4, a� 7i;' ad � t .• c+. �s ..¢. ".y ,f.-p-. ,�.._ .�r � '� arc t'z�s�`w'.1s,p. ~ °"` a*,,. +fR�� _-"^`�i •r� ;,�,P 'S�tt�,F�, . 1LML r" 1 Meet the 22/23 WCC Crew Intro to WCC, partnering agencies and crew members 2 What We Do Site prep, planting, and maintenance 3 Other Projects Breckinridge Creek, Friday Creek, High Creek, Water Quality Monitoring ElQuestions s Plants, tools, methods AmeriCorps DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY State of Washington ■ Washington Conservation Corps is an AmeriCorps program housed within the Department of Ecology ■ WCC creates future leaders through community involvement and mentorship ■ 54 crews and 14 Individual Placements throughout WA ■ Young adults (18-25) and recently returned military veterans ■ Crews consist of 5 AmeriCorps members and 1 crew supervisor ■ 40-hour week, Monday -Thursday typically 9 Member Benefits 7/ b i 6 Whatcom County Public Works We educate, inspire, and engage the community to take action to keep wild salmon here for future generations. Fish passage barrier removal LWD Installation Monitoring Riparian planting ■ Education Students for Salmon fieldtrips ■ Stewardship Salmon recovery work parties Restoration Crew Riparian Areas ■ Restoring riparian zones ■ Improving salmon habitat ■ Working on both public and private land \ , .- r N-6." E + f'�ti ji��►� � i!,°.'� sly' !' fl i r jr<; J x � �i �� 117 � .z , �41 kYr � �� rTa „•�;., �3` .f`ilt ry' 1 aTiTra Ire OW _ - i -tis Haynla iageiri r cLind e = null Creek T Harrison an eras �. uley� 8 Mitchell ' Qmi�o eek- Woolf 4 .y}� ' Oak Me 22-, 23 r� ■, "= NLPSV- telnhilbe Landingstrip Proetler■act Sites reekTdh-Sh Skagit Rasar r fate Park ■ Fall - site prep, maintenance, work parties ■ Winter - planting, maintenance ■ Spring - site prep, maintenance, work parties ■ Summer - maintenance, monitoring, in -stream work OMMMM 12 , � � �• ,�r � �� +� j, �"� dtW Brushcutting� �]�r `;� � `b fir:.✓ i �s�'.,,' 4 F Ca R' r wo Site Prep Spraying Some Invasive Plants we Remove 4;• t t • I 1 1 H•' pan lacrKUMW t Planting Potted Stock Live Stakes �m i Pft rxv 9 "•5� o ,. �, IT � f4 otec, Some Native Plants we plant !; of, zq +4' • + y y ' FF" ,; ry, E Big Leaf_MapI �-i'-`:� ./�._t 2 �1 T l� C 1 �`Fi"r- +Fi 1, ;l. • y C �� ~ r i 4 �i •. '( .f r East Hemmi Road Plantings 1 a �' i r.i►iy�x Pik`+ a ,��'�•'�y -"j'' -�- �,t_•� :_•{ .7rt 'r�r+� Af�!` �F+Y.�f Y, f� �wY r•��rr •.+i"Lir OP di fir v or ' 4,^r' Work Parties Community Engagement ■ Collaboration of NSEA, various other organizations, and members of the community ■ Volunteers removing invasive plants and planting desired species Engage community ■ Stage plants ■ Apply plant protectors V CAA 2 �R�y Y ^ 18 Maintenanc + f'�ti ji��►� � i!,°.'� sly' !' 117 fl i r j�; J x � �i �� y �41 kYr � �� rTa „•�;., �3` .f`ilt ry' NL- ,0iHTe1'iJ7i7[e 4D I�F�e`)�. r1T�.f•. rstF: riday,&6eek 016& Breckenridge Creek ,�.. ^�� h4�,.4.M1S - CT-�•� ....ar_. ��;:.- .'f Y�'. mat e�M , II N removal Water Quality Monitoring i �I NNLP lantings � �'� ;� c4s='� �� c�'. F � • ,a.L- o `x- � ' Irk — -- _� '�.� r� 0z" .17 7 / ILJM �tr ,S. ',• 'F* -_"' _ 1 `sX-'� -max '�' _ _ ,t' 1�5 1,�sx' " / South Fork Monitoring kor F: l I r 4 4" �"b{r t��' %• `'C'-i.�f•.r 7`� `j�� f 3 .')�, � �, 1 4 G. � �� . , i.�:P3V �.. S�C°�'�.� r.�� t �iK �fi _- .+Vf✓-.. 4ae..:....^; 4(�. . Ys r err{ Of X�� f'�� r` .� �. F `- N ^fib •,, } F� ,j � rF and �+� ,�,�.. � .t.-a �.cd • ,<. �'% x tJt' ��{' F , e<%'+,f re ; kk • Update on the Flow Split Reach Team — Spring Progress Workshop ft MMIMM� Water Work Session July 18, 2023 Buckets of Actions #1 Improve emergency response, coordination & communication #2 Early action projects — side channel enhancement pilot project #3 Acquisition and elevation assistance program #4 Technical work & flood risk reduction alternatives analysis #5 Implement components of preferred suite of actions #6 Land use planning/rezoning/regulation #7 Increase amount & stability of funding; strengthen cross -border collaboration #8 Public engagement, communication & education r •� ly #1 Improve Emergency Response, Coordination and Communication IEarly Warning System Upgrades • New stream flow gages at Nooksack at Guide -Meridian & Sumas River • New stage gage for overflow at Emerson Road • Additional measurements & improved technology 0 IYVUK4 PdLK Kivt!r IJVUf IIUYV dL tf1It[ �IUH RUdU dt tVtlf IUH, VVM P L ��aaNm 'f4Vi5fNfk�. Life -Safety IImprovements • New gates at roads with high flow velocities • Improved Search & Rescue capability and swift water rescue • Preplanned emergency shelter locations • Developed protocols for evacuation dW - Y $4.3 M Grant • Public alert system: • Evacuation & mass notification softwa re • Flood warning sirens (6) • Improve communications network (UHF/VHF stability) • Emergency message signs • Disaster response trailers/ temporary shelter units (6) • Automated sandbagging machines (6) • Additional road gates • All weather drones (2) • Nooksack Valley Middle School generator (emergency shelter) 4 14 4f #2 Early Action Projects —Side Channel Enhancement -�T c m LZ ;A a�E n orl IMMEDIATELY AFTER CONSTRUCTION POST -FLOOD SEASON OCTOBER 2022 MARCH 28, 2023 #3 Acquisition and Elevation Assistance Program Elevations • GRANT FUNDS PURSUED = $6.4M (FEDERAL) • TOTAL PROPERTIES = 29 0 i�Am M. W17. '+ 1V- r ,�,jasn �Ya"- §1 ..Al.. cu W t j. �' i rah y �. •'k � - 1yP Y tw i - #4 Technical Work & Pot r Alternatives Analysis Elevation change: Overflow reach Mean elevation change: 1993-1999: 0.5-1 ft decline k 'T USGS Mean elevation trends in overflow reach based on repeat topographic surveys Method: Mean elevation change within the red polygon shown to the right, based on repeat topographic surveys. Uncertainty bounds have been plotted such that non -overlapping bounds between any two survey dates indicate significant difference at the 95% confidence level Elevation change: Overflow reach Mean elevation change: 1993-1999: 0.5-1 ft decline 1999-2016: 1.5-2 ft increase k 'T USGS Mean elevation trends in overflow reach based on repeat topographic surveys Method: Mean elevation change within the red polygon shown to the right, based on repeat topographic surveys. Uncertainty bounds have been plotted such that non -overlapping bounds between any two survey dates indicate significant difference at the 95% confidence level Elevation change: Overflow reach Mean elevation change: 1993-1999: 0.5-1 ft decline 1999-2016: 1.5-2 ft increase 2016-2022: Stable/declining Total deposition, 1999-2022: 150,000 ± 30,000 yd3 USGS Mean elevation trends in overflow reach based on repeat topographic surveys Method: Mean elevation change within the red polygon shown to the right, based on repeat topographic surveys. Uncertainty bounds have been plotted such that non -overlapping bounds between any two survey dates indicate significant difference at the 95% confidence level 70,000 cn M 50,000 L cu `_i c"'o 40,000 (D 2) cu U U Y N U 0_ 20,000 10,000 Overflow at Main St. • NO overflow at Main St. -33,000 ft3/S /\ • • • • •• • • 2016 2018 2020 2022 Overflow threshold Approximate 2016-2022 overflow threshold: 319000-335000 ft3/s The overflow threshold will continue to change ■ Elevation ■ Vegetation ■ Channel roughness k 'T USGS Summary of high flow event peak discharges at Cedarville gage, 2015-2022 Method: Use USGS gage ai Main St. to identify time -crRow water (irsf reaches that location. Look at discharge at either USGS gage at Everson or USGS gage at Ceda-fle corresponding to that time, shifted to account for lag4m-1 times - needed. Time shtft for Everson: two hours. Time shift for Cedarvilie: 3.5 hours, Those discharges are interpreted as the discharges at which overtopping W6a1 began fora given high tic. event. Results are preliminary and not for distribut, Overflow threshold Estimate of overflow threshold, 1990-2003:-46,000 ft3/s Franz (2005) 1-ft increase in mean bed elevation -> overflow threshold decrease -5000 ft3/s Holding width and roughness constant. Source: stage -discharge rating curves from USGS gage at Everson Expected overflow threshold decrease with 1.5-2 ft bed elevation increase: 6,000-129000 ft3/s Observed decrease in threshold: 12,000-15,000 ft3/s Vegetation may also be playing a role k 'T i-EMSGS • I !n �• CANADA Updated Model - Extended and ...A.Sumas Refined � � � ,Somas ,,. ` River rInflow Lynden r. -� Everson To Nooksac`k � r • Extended further into Lummi and Bellingham Bays Ferndale ,►; • Refined for levees, major-� Deming culverts, bridges, etc. • Estimated Sumas River inflow' Bellingham -� Model Application to Everson Overflow • Approx. start of overtopping flow — Based on varying topography and land cover: • 2006-V38,000 cfs • 2015 ~34, 000 cfs • 2022 --30, 000 cfs =Approximate simulated flows (plus or minus a few 1, 000 cfs) at Cedarville accounting for estimated travel time F -f _ rry- � Where Water Goes I111111L1 Affects agriculture Affects habitat and Affects other values salmon recovery efforts Project Concepts Generated at Flow Split Charrette + Ring dikes around Everson, Nooksack, Sumas Raise E-W roads in overflow corridor for storage Twin View levee setback/lowering Twin View Levee removal Twin View Levee removal + Scott Ditch overflow Raise Emerson Road Everson Bridge/dry bridge expansion Sumas River storage Sediment management Engineered log jams r ~j Hampton Rd , 1 a Everson a n d 1 - Tom Rd�:.iw Miln®St { _ Nooksack Rin r�m lI C7 1 i EE_ .-�Dikes Conceptj W7 7_1 1 h B keriii 9. eYF& A k IX �3rd St � '�•P55M1 •� �. F� � V • Floodgate Pump Station Dry_Bridge Improved_Conveyan Lowered_Roadway Elevated_Roadway «r. 'r �- Proposed_Levee_Se i > Existing_ Berms_ and Proposed_Berm t Streams —and —Rivers rb Roads a+, r n 1 Sumas Ring r�so 'Dike Concepts 4' J ■ el. i r' 3rd St n = r r d 03 F, 0 Halver 0 Floodgate �, a W �>• 1 Pump_Stationd a frontst. State Hwy 47 Improved Conveyance_Pathw Lowered Roadway Elevated Roadway Proposed — — Setback Existing Berms and Levees Bowen Rd Proposed Berm Fnnegan �ff — 'o Strearns and—Rivers-o Roads Clearbrook Rd y �CR = _ a3 -- v Morgan R ✓ • Floodgate Fi 10 _Wl- Twin View LeveeWr L - Al . = z. { � Ln Removal & Scott Berg •, y If Ditch Overflow - Concepts A�rd�ie r o� �. � �'�• ' � - 44 fee 1 _i v Widen the Funnel • Could this be a tool to help manage sediment and improve habitat? • Wider corridor: • Allows for natural process to create side channel habitat • River can do more of the work to move sediment • More room to do physical work in the dry if monitoring shows ongoing aggradation Can we restore channel migration and create more channel capacity? ........................ 2 .........................................0 .. G .............................................................................. .... ............ -.-..-..._......... .... ._._..................... Accretion — — Fines (Cut Bank) Gravel (Point Bar) • • - • - Due to aggradation between periods of o - o �' g o -.c .� , � `. a � � channel occupancy, lateral migration � a � o .a Z � 0 0L''O.a .n a .o a removes accumulated fines and creates o a.c r 49 o o 0 o.a o o' a.V .o .a n .c o ¢ t 01 0- ` space for ravel accumulation .'.� P 9 o'er . o.o ..- a.o .. .. o o a o.;o �. o a Silt ..................... ^-- Sand Gravel Figure 16: Illustration showing how lateral migration rejuvenates low elevation floodplain topography, simplified from a block diagram illustration of Walker (1984). Can we restore channel migration and create more channel capacity? Due to aggradation between periods of 1 fl channel occupancy, lateral migration " :Vo.� a .o C5 a removes accumulated fines and creates 0 ` s pace for g ravel accumulation . o- o 0 " Gravel .... ... ........ ......... . Silt Sand Figure 16: Illustration showing how lateral migration rejuvenates low elevation floodplain topography, simplified from a block diagram illustration of Walker (1984). Can we restore channel migration and create more channel capacity? ............... Accretion ......................................................... 2 ....... ................................................................ Gravel (Point Bar) Fines (Cut Bank) .. . . `'&.. ..' W, . .. .. cam. Due to aggradation between Lpt- �p �7 chancel occupancy, lateral rnigratiL- ,'O C' 40 -0 C? 0 removes accumulated fines and creates Z�, Channel Migration lz� 01 0- space for gravel accumulation 0- Z 40 43 .9 e3 .... ... ........ . ....... Silt Sand Gravel . .. . .......... ....... Figure 16: Illustration showing how lateral migration rejuvenates low elevation floodplair topography, simplified from a block diagram illustration of Walker (1984). We were here In April Concepts modeled • • Conversations We are here now Revised Concepts modeled • ;7 Conversations Proposed Alternatives • Broad Public Input 1 Evaluating Project Solutions through Community - Based Values c - k7 r DRAFT FLIP Evaluation Criteria • Safety, Flood Risk Reduction, and Resiliency • Floodplain Habitat and Ecosystem Health • Implementation Complexity • Community Benefits ..,I GL } ',1 #6 Land Use Planning, Rezoning and Regulation Land Use Tools • Urban Growth Area 20-year supply of land within Identifies future area for growth of a City or Community • Zoning Allows a community to regulate development at a site -specific level Preclude development, limit development, and/or establish specific standards to regulate development Legend [71city Limits ❑ Urban Growth Area ® Urban Reserve ❑ Tax Parcel F Commercial Urban Reserve ' Industrial Low Density Residential Medium Densiy Residential High Density Residential ResidentiabUnspecifled Public Floodway #7 Increase Amount and Stability of Funding; Strengthen Cross -Border Ties `� Ecology proposed $3.5 M T to continue FLIP work and International Initiative — Pending Legislative approval Governor's office (with Ecology) and officials in - British Columbia leading a cross -border initiative; _ =Y State will look to input from FLIP and Flow Split Reach Team for solutions — In Process — Thank you! OMM Next Steps Present — Fall Digest and analyze results of model runs Spring -Summer Coordinate with partners Fall '23 Synthesize options Fall'23 Reconvene Flow Split Team qr - 4 Overflow Corridor Concepts Overview