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The north fork of Accotink Creek between Plantation Parkway and Ranger Road Park, known locally as the Stafford Drive stream, is in bad shape. Over the years, fast-flowing stormwater has scoured the stream bed away and incised the streambanks, creating steep cliffs that prevent water from reaching the floodplain. Healthy, mature trees are collapsing into the stream due to severe erosion, and sediment washed downstream is burying aquatic habitat.
This project will restore nearly a half mile of the Stafford Drive stream. Natural Channel Design principles will be used to stabilize the stream to prevent further erosion and reconnect the stream to the floodplain. Natural materials incorporated in the design, such as rocks and logs, will slow down rushing stormwater. A natural meander, a feature of stable streams, will be created throughout the stream valley.
A preliminary design has been completed and we have developed a design that saves as many trees as possible within the project area.
Background
The Stafford Drive stream was identified as a high priority for restoration in the 2007 Accotink Creek Stream Stability Assessment. The $2.3 million project was approved in the FY21 budget and included in the FY2022-26 Capital Improvement Program. The design is 60% complete. A Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) grant application was submitted in October 2021 to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The city received notification in January 2022 that this project had been selected for SLAF grant funding, and $1,175,000 in matching state funding has been authorized for this project. The grant funds will cover half of the project’s estimated costs.
The city’s Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) action plan is designed to reduce excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and total suspended solids (loose sediment caused by erosion). Stormwater management projects like the Stafford Drive stream restoration help achieve these reduction targets.
Stream restoration projects repair years of unintentional abuse, restore ecological functions in the stream valley, create wildlife habitat, and improve water quality.
Pros/cons of design options. Design option 1 was selected following discussion with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. This option was viewed as a balance between saving trees and the impacts to hydraulics, construction costs, and future maintenance costs.
Appendix B (pages 13-16) shows the trees saved by the three design alternatives that were considered. Design option 1 saves 42 trees.
Appendix D (pages 33-48) provides the tree inventory, identification of existing dead/dying/diseased trees, and a table with the species/size/condition of each tree.
The north fork of Accotink Creek between Plantation Parkway and Ranger Road Park, known locally as the Stafford Drive stream, is in bad shape. Over the years, fast-flowing stormwater has scoured the stream bed away and incised the streambanks, creating steep cliffs that prevent water from reaching the floodplain. Healthy, mature trees are collapsing into the stream due to severe erosion, and sediment washed downstream is burying aquatic habitat.
This project will restore nearly a half mile of the Stafford Drive stream. Natural Channel Design principles will be used to stabilize the stream to prevent further erosion and reconnect the stream to the floodplain. Natural materials incorporated in the design, such as rocks and logs, will slow down rushing stormwater. A natural meander, a feature of stable streams, will be created throughout the stream valley.
A preliminary design has been completed and we have developed a design that saves as many trees as possible within the project area.
Background
The Stafford Drive stream was identified as a high priority for restoration in the 2007 Accotink Creek Stream Stability Assessment. The $2.3 million project was approved in the FY21 budget and included in the FY2022-26 Capital Improvement Program. The design is 60% complete. A Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) grant application was submitted in October 2021 to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The city received notification in January 2022 that this project had been selected for SLAF grant funding, and $1,175,000 in matching state funding has been authorized for this project. The grant funds will cover half of the project’s estimated costs.
The city’s Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) action plan is designed to reduce excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and total suspended solids (loose sediment caused by erosion). Stormwater management projects like the Stafford Drive stream restoration help achieve these reduction targets.
Stream restoration projects repair years of unintentional abuse, restore ecological functions in the stream valley, create wildlife habitat, and improve water quality.
Pros/cons of design options. Design option 1 was selected following discussion with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. This option was viewed as a balance between saving trees and the impacts to hydraulics, construction costs, and future maintenance costs.
Appendix B (pages 13-16) shows the trees saved by the three design alternatives that were considered. Design option 1 saves 42 trees.
Appendix D (pages 33-48) provides the tree inventory, identification of existing dead/dying/diseased trees, and a table with the species/size/condition of each tree.
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Thank you for your question. Lake Accotink is fed by many tributaries, some of which have been restored or are planned for restoration by Fairfax County. The city’s project will ensure our tributary, located at the headwaters of the Accotink Creek Watershed, is not a major contributor of excess silt and nutrients for downstream communities. The direction of the Lake Accotink project will not have an impact on the city's projects because we are located upstream.
City of Fairfax
over 1 year ago
As one of the receiving bodies listed is Lake Accotink, what is the impact of potential County action to not dredge but to allow the lake to revert to wetland rather than open water?
Dc8
over 1 year ago
Removed by moderator.
S.john
almost 2 years ago
We received your letter about the Stafford Dr. Stream Restoration. While we do not live in Mosby Woods now, we do still have our home on Confederate Ln. My question is about the condition of the North Fork of Accotink Creek on the other side of Plantation Parkway. Is that portion also having problems with creek bed erosion as well?
What is the state of Daniels Run that is on the other side of Old Lee Hwy? Embassy Ln dead ends at Daniel Run Park.
Will the City send our email updates to the projects?
Stafford Drive Stream Restoration is currently at this stage
Construction
this is an upcoming stage for Stafford Drive Stream Restoration
Winter 2024
Replanting
this is an upcoming stage for Stafford Drive Stream Restoration
Archaeological Assessment May 9-13
Dovetail, a consultant working on behalf of the city, is conducting an archaeological assessment of the Stafford Drive Stream Restoration Project area May 9-13. They are digging test pits and sifting through the soil to look for historical artifacts. Any artifacts found will be cataloged. The artifacts, a summary of findings, and consultant recommendations will be shared with the Community Development and Planning Department and Historic Resources. The city will then determine if any parts of the project area warrant a more in-depth historical analysis before restoration work begins.
Test pits will be backfilled and tamped, and no test pits will be left open.
Thank you for your question. Lake Accotink is fed by many tributaries, some of which have been restored or are planned for restoration by Fairfax County. The city’s project will ensure our tributary, located at the headwaters of the Accotink Creek Watershed, is not a major contributor of excess silt and nutrients for downstream communities. The direction of the Lake Accotink project will not have an impact on the city's projects because we are located upstream.
As one of the receiving bodies listed is Lake Accotink, what is the impact of potential County action to not dredge but to allow the lake to revert to wetland rather than open water?
Removed by moderator.
We received your letter about the Stafford Dr. Stream Restoration. While we do not live in Mosby Woods now, we do still have our home on Confederate Ln. My question is about the condition of the North Fork of Accotink Creek on the other side of Plantation Parkway. Is that portion also having problems with creek bed erosion as well?
What is the state of Daniels Run that is on the other side of Old Lee Hwy? Embassy Ln dead ends at Daniel Run Park.
Will the City send our email updates to the projects?
Karen Ketts
kketts@gmail.com(External link)
Thank you for the opportunity to ask these questions.