Ferndale’s topography is largely defined by the Nooksack River floodplain. The central downtown area and eastern portions of the city sit at a low elevation (roughly 30 to 50 feet above sea level) on relatively flat terrain. This low-lying valley floor is surrounded by gentle, rolling hills and terraced benches that rise to the west and north of the city center.
The western residential neighborhoods, such as those along Malloy Road and Thornton Street, sit on a slight plateau that overlooks the river valley, providing sweeping views of Mount Baker and the Twin Sisters mountains to the east. Because of the city's position on a major river floodplain, certain low-lying areas near the riverbanks are designated as flood zones.
