Ferndale, WA

Located in the northwest corner of Washington State near the Nooksack River, Ferndale was officially incorporated on March 19, 1907. Once called Jam because of its location next to a logjam on the river, the City was renamed Ferndale by the school teacher who admired ferns that once grew around the original school house.

Today, Ferndale is a vibrant community of 11,080 people (official 2009 population), located on the Interstate 5 corridor, approximately 6 miles north of Bellingham and 13 miles south of the Canadian Border. There are many nearby attractions including Mount Baker, the San Juan Islands, numerous lakes, and the Nooksack River. Ferndale also enjoys a close proximity to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Development Review Engineer Job Posting

The City of Ferndale currently has a job opening for a Development Review Engineer.  Please go to our Employment Opportunities Page for more information.

Water Quality and System Maintenance

Did you receive a letter about our upcoming flushing program?  

Have questions?  

Please go to the WATER FLUSHING PROGRAM PAGE for additional information  regarding this program, including updated flushing schedules, as they become available.

Interested in weather? Represent Ferndale in the CoCoRaHS!

The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network or CoCoRaHS is a non-profit community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and report precipitation rain, hail, and snow. 

As most Washington residents know, precipitation can vary greatly with location, topography, storm type and season. CoCoRaHS was developed to supplement existing observation networks, aiding meteorologists, engineers, hydrologists, insurance experts, the media, and many others, in studying the variability of precipitation and in the analysis of extreme precipitation events.

All you need is a rain gauge, the training slideshow, and availability!  
Learn how to join on the CoCoRaHS website.

Time to break out the rake

 
A little prevention can go a long way...
Please help prevent neighborhood drainage problems by taking the following actions:

• Check your home's drainage system. Maintaining the drainage system on private property is the owner's responsibility. 
• Make sure your drainage system directs water away from your foundation and not on to your neighbor's property. Never discharge water over the side of a steep hill. 
• Clean your gutters and downspouts. Check gutters once a week during fall and winter. Just one wind or rainstorm can clog a well-flowing drainage system. 
• Rake up leaves. Leaves clog drains, which can lead to flooding. Use a rake or pitch fork to clear the storm grates near your property of leaves and debris.
• Never block any part of the City's drainage system. Do not put leaves, dirt, grass clippings, trash or any materials in ditches, culverts or drains; doing so can cause flooding.