Long Branch Central Watershed Management Area Project
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Long Branch Central Watershed Management Area Project
Project Number: Project # SD-000031-235
Project Update: May 24, 2024
Work had begun to design the first three projects in the watershed: Kristen Lane to Rutherford Park, Ilda Pool at Braeburn Drive and Willow Woods Park South of Braeburn Drive. Please see the Long Branch Central WMA Implementation Work Plan for details. Project staff will be working with project neighbors, the Friends of Long Branch Stream Valley, the Fairfax County Park Authority and other stakeholders to develop project plans and will provide more details as they are available.
Long Branch Central WMA DRAFT Implementation Schedule (available upon request, email the Project Manager, Aaron George at aaron.george2@fairfaxcounty.gov)
Long Branch Central WMA Revised Project Descriptions (available upon request, email the Project Manager, Aaron George at aaron.george2@fairfaxcounty.gov)
Bank Erosion Long Branch Tributary in Old Forge Park
This project was developed as a result of Long Branch Central being declared an impaired water by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ issued a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirement to reduce sediment for Accotink Creek Watershed in August 2017. Under the Accotink Creek TMDL, Fairfax County is assigned a waste load reduction requirement for the 3.7 square mile Long Branch Central watershed of 2,433 tons per year. Meeting these reduction targets is a requirement of the county's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. In addition, the Long Branch Central WMA project will reduce the sediment load going to Lake Accotink, thus protecting the county's investment in that facility. The Long Branch Central WMA project will improve water quality, meet the Long Branch Central sediment TMDL load reduction targets and improve habitat within the stream corridor.
Project Description
The Long Branch Central Watershed Management Area project is a collaborative effort of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.
The primary goals of the project are:
Meet the Long Branch Central TMDL waste load reduction requirements
Improve water quality within the Long Branch Central watershed
Improve habitat and environmental health (ecological lift)
To meet these goals, the county will restore about six and a half miles of stream and 75 stormwater outfalls.
Project Location
The project is in the Braddock Magisterial District between Little River Turnpike and Burke Station, Braddock and Wakefield Chapel Roads.
The project area is shown in orange outline.
Project Benefits
Reduce the sediment eroding from the Long Branch Central Watershed by 2,433 tons per year
Improve water quality and habitat
Project Phase
The project is in the design phase for the first three projects.
Timeline
Begin Assessment – Summer 2020
Complete Restoration Work Plan – February 2023
Complete First Construction Plans – February 2025
Begin Construction – Summer 2025
Construction Ongoing – Through 2031
Warranty, Monitoring and Maintenance – 2025 through 2034
What to Expect
There will be field studies, plan development and public meetings through the implementation process. Construction will occur in phases and each phase will be outlined in the project implementation plan. The final construction schedule is dependent upon funding availability and project permitting. When construction occurs, there will be truck traffic to the project sites. Residents should expect periodic deliveries of material using dump trucks to the site throughout the week starting after 7 a.m. on weekdays. Note that at some periods during construction, work may occur on weekends. Deliveries on those days will be made after 9 a.m.
Project Cost and Funding Source
Construction costs for the Long Branch Central Watershed Management Area projects will be developed once projects are defined. Stormwater projects are funded through the county Stormwater Service District.
Presentations to the Community
Overview of the Biohabitats Team April 11, 2022 (available upon request, email the Project Manager, Aaron George at aaron.george2@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Recording of the Long Branch Public Meeting held on January 10, 2023
Recording of the Long Branch Public Meeting held on April 11, 2022
Contact
For more information, please email the Project Manager, Aaron George at aaron.george2@fairfaxcounty.gov within the Stormwater Planning Division, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, or call 703-324-5685, TTY 711.