In 2025, a multi-year effort to improve water quality in Baker Bay concluded with the completion of improvements to the Port of Ilwaco parking lot and adjacent Howerton Avenue. New stormwater treatment facilities will treat polluted runoff before it flows into Baker Bay, resulting in cleaner water for fish and wildlife and a more beautiful waterfront area.
Ilwaco is a fishing and crabbing community, and its heart is Baker Bay. But before the project, more than 40 storm drains conveyed stormwater directly untreated into the bay. Stormwater runoff can be toxic to fish and wildlife, particularly from roads and parking areas. As rainwater flows across pavement, it picks up oils and grease that drip off cars and trucks, metals in brake pad dust, trash, sediment, and a host of other pollutants.
During construction, crews removed existing pavement and planted new trees to increase greenspace and installed a series of biofiltration facilities and Biopods to provide water quality treatment across this extremely large area of impervious surface.
Today, stormwater from more than three-acres of the Port of Ilwaco’s public parking flows into the new green stormwater infrastructure. In addition to improving water quality, the project also enhanced pedestrian connections between the Port’s parking areas and businesses on Howerton Avenue, and planted trees that will create shade and enhance area aesthetics.
The project was constructed by Rognlin’s, Inc. and built in partnership with the City of Ilwaco, the Port of Ilwaco, and the Estuary Partnership. KPFF provided project engineering, Learning Landscapes provided landscape architecture, and MacKay Sposito provided construction management services. The project was entirely grant-funded and no construction costs were incurred by either the Port or the City. Grant funds came from a Stormwater Financial Assistance Program grant from the Washington Department of Ecology, a Natural Resource Damage Assessment settlement resulting from a 2014 oil spill, and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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