Winds up to 30 knots from the south and southwest could generate waves up to 2 meters (6 feet) high. During the summer, these waves are lower, corresponding to a weakening of the prevailing southerly wind velocities. Westerly winds up to 20 knots may build waves up to 11/2 meters (5 feet) high to attack Birch Point’s western shore.
Coastal Processes of the Whatcom County Mainland (dnr.wa.gov)Numerous natural erosional and depositional processes operate upon shorelines to create a diversity of coastal landforms. Waves are among the most important causes of this diversity as they remove, build, and shape beaches and sea cliffs.
Whatcom County Shorelines (figure 1)