Late last year, an atmospheric river caused devastating flooding across Western Washington. 

Today, some estimate the region-wide damages may be over a billion dollars. 

For parts of Whatcom County, it was the second major flood in less than five years. And they are looking for solutions.

New reporting from the New York Times highlights how communities around the Nooksack River are debating how to mitigate damage from future flooding: 

Dredge the river of sediment now? Or attempt a more ambitious plan to return the river to its natural state?

In many ways the conversation pits farmers’ and homeowners’ concerns against environmental advocacy and tribal rights. 

GUEST: Bernard Mokam is a news assistant for the New York Times

LINK: As Northwest Flooding Worsens, Conflicting Interests Stymie Solutions

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Late last year, an atmospheric river caused devastating flooding across Western Washington.&nbsp;
Today, some estimate the region-wide damages may be over a billion dollars.&nbsp;
For parts of Whatcom County, it was the second major flood in less than five years. And they are looking for solutions.
New reporting from the New York Times highlights how communities around the Nooksack River are debating how to mitigate damage from future flooding:&nbsp;
Dredge the river of sediment now? Or attempt a more ambitious plan to return the river to its natural state?
In many ways the conversation pits farmers&rsquo; and homeowners&rsquo; concerns against environmental advocacy and tribal rights.&nbsp;
GUEST: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/bernard-mokam">Bernard Mokam</a> is a news assistant for the New York Times
LINK: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/22/us/pacific-northwest-flooding-fights.html">As Northwest Flooding Worsens, Conflicting Interests Stymie Solutions</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

In a question of short term fixes vs long term impacts, the residents of Whatcom County work out what to do about the flooding.