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Keep Your Storm Drains Clear

The return of the rain means it’s time to prepare for potential flooding. Increased rainfall can wash leaves into storm drains and cause localized flooding in our neighborhoods. Now is the time to protect your property and prevent flooded streets by keeping storm drains near your home free of leaves and debris.

Owners of storm drainage facilities are legally responsible for maintenance to ensure they continue to function properly. See a list of storm drainage facility cleaning contractors here.

To report a drainage problem, submit a drainage investigation request, or call the SWM office, 425-388-3464.

Leaves and debris can block storm drains and cause flooded streets.

Climate Change Reports Help Guide the County’s Work

University of Washington’s Climate Impact Group and Watershed Science & Engineering (WSE) have completed studies that model future climate change impacts on river flows in the Snohomish and Stillaguamish watersheds. With accurate precipitation estimates and a two-dimensional model of river flow, we can better predict high water and floodplain inundation. The County will use these reports to inform public safety, flood risk reduction, fish habitat projects, and other options for landowners.

You can see the completed Hydraulic and Hydrologic Modelling Reports, as well as learn more about Community Floodplain Solutions, on our Flood Hazard Mapping page.

An aerial view shows the mainstem Stillaguamish River looking downstream at split to Cook Slough.

Prepare For Rising Rivers

SWM and partners operate approximately 40 river gauges around Snohomish County that report water level data to the internet. The information is used to protect people and property by forecasting where and how fast rivers may rise. You can prepare for rising rivers by accessing current and forecasted data.

SWM staff operate a flow measurement instrument on a local stream.

Crews Remove Knotweed to Improve Salmon Survival

Over the summer Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crews helped support SWM’s efforts to control knotweed along the Skykomish River near the City of Sultan. Knotweed is a highly invasive plant species that displaces native vegetation and degrades salmon habitat in our rivers and streams. The knotweed control effort is the start of SWM’s larger Shinglebolt Slough restoration project that will improve salmon habitat and reduce flooding.

In January 2023, the Snohomish County Noxious Weed Program will formally join SWM within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Noxious Weed Program works to control noxious weeds on county lands and help educate residents on the impacts of these problem plants. This work is coordinated by the Snohomish County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Knotweed grows in dense stands, six to twelve feet tall, and is extremely difficult to control.

Spread the Word: Focus on Farming is Back!

After a two-year hiatus, Snohomish County’s Focus on Farming and Forestry conference returns to the Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe, November 10. Focus on Farming is the only one-day gathering for all types of farming in one location -- whether organic or conventional, livestock or row crops, large or small. Providing quality education to sustain current farmers and attract new farmers to our region is a critical component in securing the next generation's local food supply.

Agricultural Coordinator, Linda Neunzig, now part of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), has been hosting this event since 2003.

For more information and to register, visit www.focusonfarming.org.

Conference attendees will learn about New Technology in Agriculture, Agritourism, Tips for New and Beginning Farmers, and more.

Upcoming Public Events and Workshops

Attend an upcoming public meeting to learn more about protecting Little Bear Creek.