SWM highlights notable projects and wins for residents in 2024





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Conservation and Natural Resources, Surface Water Management - Utility News header




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Think Flood Safety and Keep Your Storm Drains Clear

The return of the rain means it’s time to prepare for potential flooding. Protect your property and prevent flooded streets by keeping storm drains near your home free of leaves and debris. To report a drainage problem, submit a drainage investigation request, [ [link removed] ] or call the SWM office, 425-388-3464.

The Snohomish County Flood Safety Guide [ [link removed] ] provides up-to-date information, emergency contacts and tips on how residents can reduce their flood risks, prepare for flooding, and stay safe during and after a flood event.

Leaves block a storm drain

"Increased rainfall can wash leaves into storm drains and cause localized flooding. "

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Program Helps Vulnerable Communities Understand Risks and Be Flood Ready

Last summer, SWM received a state-funded Flood Control Assistance Account Program (FCAAP) [ [link removed] ] grant to complete a geomorphic risk assessment in the Stillaguamish River watershed and discuss the impacts of flooding around the county with “underserved communities” or those considered most vulnerable to flooding. Broadly speaking, this can include people with low incomes, renters, youth, elderly, people with disabilities, Spanish-speaking communities, and agricultural workers. This fall, the project team attended community events in Arlington, Marysville, Stanwood, and more to help residents learn about their flood risk, sign up for emergency alerts, and become flood ready [ [link removed] ]!

Be Flood Ready info booth

"FCAAP project booth shares flood information at the Arlington Farmers Market in September. "

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New Pipe Crawler Tool Improves Drainage Team’s Safety and Efficiency

SWM’s Drainage Operations and Maintenance (O & M) [ [link removed] ] and Capital Improvement groups added a new tool to their toolbox this year – a pipe crawler which can be used to inspect drainage pipes, structures, and other aging infrastructure. The pipe crawler helps view structures and pipes without requiring staff to enter confined spaces, which is both safer and more cost effective. Using this tool, O & M crews can now access smaller diameter pipes and take videos, photos, and create detailed inspection reports. This data provides information and location of the damaged areas for better accuracy, targeted repairs, and better asset management.

Pipe crawler inspection image

"Pipe crawler tool provides detailed location data and image of a damaged pipe interior."

Drainage inspector uses remote tools

"SWM inspectors pilot the pipe crawler remotely."

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SWM’s Drone Program Aids in Data Collection and Improves Services

With help from the Geographic Information System (GIS) team, SWM’s fledgling drone program is using innovative tools to enhance data collection, monitoring, and mapping across various SWM projects. Equipped with advanced sensors—including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and multispectral capabilities—SWM drones have successfully completed 12 key mapping projects so far, improving efficiency and reducing costs with each new effort.

Since its launch more than a year ago, the program has streamlined operations, provided real-time insights, and integrated high-quality data into our GIS systems —giving project managers new tools to enhance decision-making. As technologies advance, the SWM drone team aims to expand the program by adding new applications to further improve services.

Aerial image of Smith Island

"Aerial view of Smith Island Restoration Project [ [link removed] ] helps SWM staff monitor changing habitat conditions."

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Chinook Marsh and Regional Partners Benefit from Funding Success

This year, SWM project teams and partners across the Snohomish Estuary celebrated historic federal funding for habitat restoration projects. In Mid-August, US Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) presented Snohomish County with a ceremonial $960k check [ [link removed] ] from the federal government to aid in project design for Chinook Marsh [ [link removed] ]. In July, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also awarded $16.7M from the Inflation Reduction Act through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge [ [link removed] ] (CRRC) for the project's construction. Currently in the feasibility phase, the Chinook Marsh project team is gathering data on current conditions to develop a range of possible design alternatives. The CRRC award will support the project’s construction, estimated to occur in 2026.

Aerial view of Chinook Marsh

"Aerial view of Chinook Marsh, levee trail and Ebey Slough looking north. "

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Tours and Funding Highlight Regional Support for Community Floodplain Solutions

Building on the success of earlier phases, Community Floodplain Solutions (CFS) [ [link removed] ] partners submitted their Phase 4 $10M Floodplains By Design (FbD) [ [link removed] ] grant for integrated floodplain management actions along the Lower Skykomish River and Snohomish estuary. That grant application ranked 2nd statewide and partners are anticipating this award in July of 2025 with the successful passage of the State Capital budget.

In support of this effort, project partners held two site tours this fall so folks could see these dollars at work at four different project locations. Those two site tours had 40-50 attendees and resulted in additional community and Legislative support for the integrated actions being advanced by CFS partners. CFS is a collaborative program with different partners leading different actions that generate fish, farm, or flood risk reduction benefits.

CFS partners tour Chinook Marsh

"CFS partners highlight proposed project needs during a tour of Chinook Marsh for Legislative staff in October."

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*Noxious Weed Control Board Seeks Volunteer Board Members*

Snohomish County Noxious Weed Control Board is seeking two volunteer board members to serve District 1 (from Stanwood east to Darrington) and District 2 (from Warm Beach east to Jordan.)

The mission of the Noxious Weed Control Board is to serve as responsible stewards of Snohomish County by protecting and preserving land and resources from the degrading impacts of noxious weeds. Board Members guide and oversee the Noxious Weed Control Program. [ [link removed] ] Interested parties involved in the primary production of agricultural products are encouraged to apply.

To learn more, visit: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

For questions and to apply, email: [email protected].

Knotweed Beside a River

"Knotweed is a highly invasive species displacing native plants throughout Snohomish County."

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*Upcoming Public Events and Workshops*

Learn more about upcoming SWM co-sponsored events and workshops on our events webpage [ [link removed] ].


* *December 25: Christmas - Snohomish County offices CLOSED.*
* *January 1: New Year's Day - Snohomish County offices CLOSED.*
* *Septic System Care Workshop – Available On-Demand!*
* The popular Septic Care Workshop is now hosted by the Snohomish County Health Department, your go-to resource for questions about:
* septic system permitting,
* operation and maintenance requirements, and
* finding certified septic system contractors.

* Taking the workshop also makes you eligible to earn up to $500 in rebates and can help your property become LakeWise [ [link removed] ]
* Visit the Savvy Septic Program website [ [link removed] ] to learn more.

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3000 Rockefeller Ave. · Everett, WA 98201 · (425) 388-3411



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