Following the extended statewide direction of Governor Inslee’s March 23, 2020 STAY HOME – STAY HEALTHY order, SWM staff will continue working remotely and following safety protocols for all essential fieldwork.
While the county building is closed to the public, SWM staff are still available by phone and email. The public may submit drainage and water quality complaints by calling 425-388-3464, completing an online drainage complaint form or calling the water quality hotline, 425-388-6481.
Many SWM services are postponed until public health conditions improve and public gatherings are once again allowed. Our field crews continue to conduct essential field work while ensuring that social distancing and other COVID-19 protection measures are being followed.
To learn more about SWM services, visit our website.
As a newsletter subscriber, you often hear about SWM news first. Your interest and feedback help guide us as we share success stories with others.
We are pleased to share this 2019 SWM Highlights report to help show how we’re putting local dollars to work for county residents. You can access the four-page report to read more about projects, stories and other SWM accomplishments in 2019 here.
Snohomish County’s Natural Yard Care workshops have been attended by 3,400 residents since 2010. Program enhancements in 2018 focused on providing more interactive, visual and up-close learning opportunities. The 2019 Evaluation Report shares the program’s effectiveness.
Educational workshops (online and/or in-person) will be posted here when scheduled. Sign up here to receive an email notification once a workshop is added!
 Attendees at the Lawn & Garden Fair participate in interactive demonstrations
Lifeblood: Connected by Water, United by Hope shows how community members come together for the future of Puget Sound. The video features SWM staff and describes the importance of estuaries in recovering salmon. Produced by WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, this video supports a larger effort known as the Sustainable Land Strategy (SLS). This group aims to restore salmon habitat, preserve agriculture and reduce flood risk in Snohomish County.
For more information about the county’s role in the SLS, visit our website.
 SWM staff monitor salmon habitat on Otter Island in the Snohomish Estuary (video courtesy of WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife)
While winter is officially over now, the rainfall during the recent winter months was particularly heavy. Rainfall on December 20 was considered a 10-year 24-hour event, resulting in 2.8 inches of rain. On February 5, it was nearly as much with 2.6 inches of rain. Snohomish County has not seen two back-to-back significant storm events like that in 17 years.
January rainfall was also substantial. In the south parts of the county, the monthly total was roughly 3.2 inches higher than normal. A rainfall gauge in Monroe recorded the highest monthly rainfall total (8.94 inches) since the gauge was installed in 2009.
With the increased rainfall, SWM staff received a corresponding increase in drainage complaints. Compared to past years, the February rainfall generated three times (103) as many drainage complaints as an average February (33).
 Lowell Larimer Rd flooding during the December 20, 2019 storm
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