WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Documents provided by Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) show the results of an onsite inspection of the Birch Bay Water Slides property by WCHCS staff on Friday, June 6, 2025. The business has been preparing to reopen this season after being closed last season following a serious injury incident in August of 2023.
Today’s visit is a reinspection to reinstate facility operating permits that were suspended on Aug. 29 and Sept. 1, 2023, as a result of an imminent public health threat involving failure of a splash guard panel for unknown reason, causing serious injury to a guest.
– Water recreation facility inspection form (June 6, 2025)
Items detailed in a compliance agreement letter from April 2024 were deemed addressed satisfactorily. This included having the facility inspected by licensed engineer and professionals with expertise in structural integrity and fiberglass and addressing any concerns found.
Click for more information
Click for more information
Changes to slide availability this season include the following.
- The “ramp slide” entrance is blocked until it is deemed safe for operation
- Hydro Cliff slide was replaced after it was determined to have been constructed using pieces from more than one type of slide, work continues and the entrance will be blocked until it can be successfully inspected
- Hairpin Slide (where the 2023 serious injury incident occurred) has been removed and the entrance blocked
Additional maintenance, repair and record keeping requirements are also conditions of the reinstatement of the operations permit.
The water park initially opened in 1982.
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