Got something to share about the Ballston Pond? Check out the Ballston Pond Blog! 
Concept designs are available for review and comment! See below.
Background
The Ballston Beaver Pond was originally designed and constructed as a stormwater detention facility when the I-66 highway was built, to collect and slow down the stormwater runoff from I-66. In the 1990s, beavers moved into the pond and constructed a dam near the outflow structure, raising the water level higher than originally designed, and creating ponds and wetlands. The resulting "Beaver Pond" created habitat for many other animals as well, including muskrat, geese, ducks, herons, egrets, red wing blackbirds, several species of fish, turtles, and others. It also has supported several types of marsh plants.
Project Need
Over the years, the pond has been filling up with sediments deposited by the stormwater runoff, which slows down when it reaches the pond. The Beaver Pond is no longer functioning as originally designed, and its water quality benefits are limited due to water flowing straight through the pond, instead of taking a more circuitous route. Trash and litter are a continual issue in the pond, in addition to invasive plants.
Retrofitting the Ballston Beaver Pond is a high priority project in the County's stormwater management program. This pond receives runoff from more than 300 acres of urban and suburban land, and represents the most feasible opportunity within Arlington for a larger, regional stormwater management facility. Retrofitting this pond so it provides more water quality treatment helps the County comply with our stormwater permit and contribute to restoring the Chesapeake Bay.
In the fall of 2000, the pond was drained to survey its bottom to determine the pond's remaining capacity. The survey data provide essential baseline information for a comprehensive study and re-design of the pond. Work is currently underway to create a new design for the pond. Please check out the design concepts below!
Public Process and Upcoming Meetings
| Meeting | Date | Meeting Files |
| Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting #1 | January 22, 2011 | Stormwater Management in Arlington Presentation Ballston Pond Project Presentation Meeting Summary |
| Public Meeting #1 | February 24, 2011 7 PM NRECA conference center, 4301 Wilson Blvd. Near Ballston Metro station. | Stormwater Management in Arlington Presentation Ballston Pond Project Presentation Summary of Public Comment |
| Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting #2 | June 8th, 2011 | Meeting Summary |
| Public Meeting #2 | June 13th, 2011 7:30 PM NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd. Conference Center. | Meeting Presentation Concept Designs - please submit feedback by June 30, 2011. Meeting Summary |
Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting #3 | October 18th, 2011 | Meeting Presentation Meeting Summary |
Public Meeting #3
| Thursday, October 27, 2011. NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd. Conference Center. | Meeting Flyer Meeting Presentation Proposed Plant List Revised Concept Design - Please submit comments by November 18th. Meeting Summary Winter 2011 Ballston Pond Flyer |
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Concept Designs
| Concept Designs | Description of Concept Design |
Revised Concept Design - October, 2011 Interpretive Concept Plan - October, 2011  Please click on the images to see a larger version of the plans. | This revised concept design takes into account feedback on the three initial concept designs received at the stakeholder and public meetings in June, 2011. The concept combines many of the preferred features from the earlier concepts. Please submit comments by November 18th. The wetland design includes a weir at the top of the pond that controls the water level in the pond, and forces the water flow into the channels, and out through the wetland, increasing the residence time of the water in the pond. The deeper water area at the top of the pond will also allow sediment to deposit, and it can be periodically removed during routine maintenance. A trash control device will be installed near the weir, allowing trash to be collected and removed. The design features a deep water area in the middle of the current pond, and multiple small channels to allow water to flow throughout the wetland. The plan features emergent, shrub and tree wetland vegetation areas, and maximizes the edges between the types of wetland habitats. All the plants used for the project are native to Arlington, are adapted for the wetland environment, and many will attract and support local wildlife. Some other wildlife components will include turtle basking stations and bat boxes. A new boardwalk will be built on the eastern side of the pond over the pond, allowing more continuous views across the pond, and creating a buffer between the visitors and the buildings on the eastern side. The current overlook platform will remain as well. In this design, litter control devices will be installed at the entry point of the pond, in addition to the lower end of the pond, where water flows out. The interpretive plan proposes some options for interpretive features at the pond. The locations noted with blue stars could be locations for a kiosk or sign with more overview information about the pond, and the watershed and community around it. The areas noted with red markers could be good locations for more specific signage, perhaps related to the plants and animals that visitors might see at the pond. The photographs included represent ideas for different ways to design the interpretive signs. |
Concept A - click image to view larger version  | Concept A improves connections to the surrounding trail system and creates visual access to the pond by selectively clearing invasive vegetation at key viewpoints. The wetland design with a weir at the top of the pond forces the water flow into the second channel, and out through the wetland, increasing the residence time of the water in the pond. This design would allow for the highest level of water quality treatment. The weir will create an area for sediment to collect at the top of the pond, and would also allow for the installation of a litter control device at the pond entry area. The design includes a deep water area along the east side, a large wetland area, and some islands of shrub wetlands. It also includes some observation platforms around the pond, and two turtle basking stations. |
Concept B - click image to view larger version - | Concept B features boardwalks extending from the main path into the pond, to create an immersive interpretive experience. The wetland design includes many types of habitat features to promote diversity. There are small channels to allow water to flow throughout the wetland, and a deep water area in the middle of the pond. Because this design does not use a weir at the entry point of the pond, the deep water area in the middle of the pond may be more still, and have less circulation than in Concept A. This design includes three turtle basking stations. In this design, litter control devices could be installed at the entry point of the pond (perhaps under the boardwalk), in addition to a litter and sediment collection area at the lower end of the pond, where water flows out. |
Concept C - click image to view larger version | Concept C features boardwalks along the eastern side of the pond, allowing continuous views across the pond. This design features a deep water area in the middle of the current pond, and multiple small channels to allow water to flow throughout the wetland. This design features emergent, shrub and tree wetland vegetation areas, and maximizes the edges between the types of wetland habitats. The trail alignment on the south corner and eastern side of the pond would be moved onto boardwalks over the pond, allowing more continuous views across the pond, and creating a buffer between the visitors and the buildings on the eastern side. In this design, litter control devices could be installed at the entry point of the pond, in addition to a litter and sediment collection area at the lower end of the pond, where water flows out. The trail at the bottom corner of the pond would go along the top of the weir, allowing visitors to see the weir and understand how it controls water levels. |
Please share your input!
Do you have some ideas to share, but couldn't make it to the meeting? Check out the concept designs above and let us know what you think. Submit comments by June 30, 2011. It is possible to combine features from one or more of the concept designs.
- What do you currently value about the pond?
- How do you currently use the pond and its surrounding area?
- What would you like to see improved about the pond/its surroundings?
- What would you not want to see changed in this area?
- What interpretive opportunities might we consider here?
- Have you seen any effective interpretive programs elsewhere that we might consider for this project?
If you have thoughts on the concept designs or related topics, or other questions about this project, please contact Gayle England or Aileen Winquist.
