Whatcom County Proposes Ambitious Plan to Widen Nooksack River

The $182 million 'Widen the Corridor' project aims to mitigate flood risks by restoring the river's natural movement.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Whatcom County is proposing an ambitious plan to widen the Nooksack River in an effort to mitigate the growing flood risks posed by sediment buildup in the river channel. The 'Widen the Corridor' project would involve setting back levees and armored banks to restore the river's ability to move sediment naturally, at an estimated cost of $182 million over the next five years. The project faces significant challenges, including a lengthy permitting process and the need to coordinate with multiple agencies and private landowners.

Why it matters

The Nooksack River has experienced two major flood disasters in the past four years, underscoring the threat posed by the river's moody and volatile nature. Sediment buildup in the river channel has reduced its capacity, increasing the risk of flooding in nearby communities. The 'Widen the Corridor' project aims to address this issue by restoring the river's natural movement and sediment transport, which could provide long-term flood mitigation benefits for the region.

The details

The 'Widen the Corridor' project would focus on the Everson Corridor, a section of the river where it splits in two during floods, with some water flowing north toward Sumas and some going south toward Deming. By moving infrastructure like levees and revetments back, the county hopes to widen this corridor and allow the river to convey more water and sediment downstream. The project would also involve creating new channels to improve sediment management. County modeling shows this approach could lower the water surface at Everson by 2-3 feet during floods.

  • The Nooksack River basin experienced major flood events in 2021 and December 2025.
  • Whatcom County has been working on the 'Widen the Corridor' project as part of a larger floodplain management plan for the past several years.
  • The county estimates that work on channels around the Everson Corridor could begin in about three years, though other experts suggest the timeline may be closer to 10 years.

The players

Whatcom County

The local government agency leading the 'Widen the Corridor' project and the development of a comprehensive floodplain management plan for the Nooksack River basin.

Andrew Nelson

A geomorphology consultant who has previously stated that completing the 'Widen the Corridor' project could take at least a decade.

Paula Harris

The flood planning and mitigation manager for Whatcom County, who has acknowledged the county's past communication with the public about flood mitigation efforts has been lacking.

Roland Middleton

The special programs manager for Whatcom County Public Works, who has explained the high rates of sediment and landslides in the Nooksack River basin due to its young age and steep terrain.

Ron Bronsema

The vice chair of the Whatcom County Flood Advisory Committee, who has questioned where the funding for the 'Widen the Corridor' project will come from.

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What they’re saying

“We're getting a lot of political attention after this flood, and we're really trying to use this as an opportunity to really pull together as a community … and really try and use that local support to get the attention of our legislators.”

— Paula Harris, Flood Planning and Mitigation Manager, Whatcom County (Washington State Standard)

“You have to ask yourself, where is all this money going to come from?”

— Ron Bronsema, Vice Chair, Whatcom County Flood Advisory Committee (Washington State Standard)

“Sometimes projects like this are blocked 'because people immediately go to sediment management for flood solutions, and they haven't done any of their homework. And we've done all the homework.”

— John Perry, Mayor of Everson (Washington State Standard)

What’s next

Whatcom County is requesting $15 million from the state for early-action items from the floodplain management plan, including design costs for the 'Widen the Corridor' project. The county is also working to improve its communication with the public about flood mitigation efforts and is encouraging residents to reach out to their elected officials or fill out an online form with comments or questions about the project.

The takeaway

The 'Widen the Corridor' project represents an ambitious and costly effort by Whatcom County to address the growing flood risks posed by the Nooksack River. If successful, the project could provide long-term flood mitigation benefits for the region, but it faces significant challenges, including a lengthy permitting process, the need to coordinate with multiple agencies and private landowners, and securing the necessary funding.