For the past two years, the City of Bellingham has been working on the Padden Creek 24th to 30th Streets Restoration Project—and Phase 2’s construction just wrapped up.
The city has been working to restore Padden Creek for over a decade. The two-mile-long lowland stream flows from Lake Padden to Bellingham Bay through mostly city-owned property and has been altered and negatively impacted due to development. It does not meet Clean Water Act standards for temperature, dissolved oxygen, or fecal coliform. Previous projects have included an estuary restoration in 2014, returning the creek to its historic route in 2015, and widening the creek’s route in 2021-2022.
Phase 1 of Padden Creek 24th to 30th was constructed in 2022 and enhanced the floodplain and structure of one section. Phase 2 involved building a new section of channel to relocate the stream and opened to waterflow and fish in September-October 2024. The construction included pools and large woody debris that are essential for fish to hide and rest (Padden Creek supports salmon, trout, and other fish).
Beyond Padden Creek’s waters, the project also involved removing “loads” of invasive species of plants from the creek and surrounding land (riparian zone). Native vegetation is being planted in its place. Support the restoration by staying on trails and off the newly planted stream banks and keep up with the project via the city’s website. Bellingham, cob.org/project/padden-24th
