History of PADDEN CREEK How did Padden Creek end up underground? Bellingham Public Works Natural Resources has completed a major habitat restoration project on Padden Creek to help restore healthy water quality and habitat to our community for people, salmon, and wildlife. In the early 1890s, Padden Creek was buried undergound in a brick tunnel for nearly a half mile. The project was meant to drain wetlands and surface water from the surrounding land in preparation for construction of the Great Northern Railroad in Fairhaven. The constricted water flow in the tunnel created a fish passage barrier for salmon as well as flooding risks for nearby residents. Visit cob.org and search “Padden Creek” to learn more. 1891 Historical Tunnel Map KEY Newly restored creek channel Abandoned creek channel 1890s Planned tunnel route Tunnel inlet Tunnel outlet Abandoned former route of Padden Creek Former planned tunnel route Habitat restoration by Bellingham Public Works. Restoration funded by the City of Bellingham’s storm and surface water fund with support from the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Washington State Department of Transportation. Newly restored route of Padden Creek