Gulf Branch is located in north Arlington.
Gulf Branch drains directly into the Potomac River.
(JPEG, 3MB) Drainage area for the Gulf Branch stream monitoring site.
We assessed all the streams in the County as part of the Stormwater Master Plan Update. The assessment used the Channel Evolution Model to evaluate which sections of the streams are actively eroding to prioritize them for stream restoration. During that assessment, Gulf Branch was evaluated to be a priority stream for stream restoration given that approximately 45 percent of the stream length assessed was found to be in an actively eroding state. In addition, only about 30 percent of the stream channel has been stabilized.
A watershed retrofit study of the Gulf Branch subwatershed was completed. In 2019, the design process for Gulf Branch restoration was begun, with ongoing opportunities for public input. Learn more about the Gulf Branch restoration and provide your feedback
The stream monitoring site is located just downstream of Military Road and the Gulf Branch Nature Center.
Macroinvertebrates commonly found are:
Collecting macroinvertebrates is a two-person job. One person rubs the rocks and disturbs the sediment so the macroinvertebrates are washed into the net. The other person holds the net.
There is one bacteria monitoring site on Gulf Branch located just downstream of Military Road and Gulf Branch Nature Center. Learn more about bacteria monitoring data.
To become a volunteer stream monitor, contact Lily Whitesell at 703-228-3042.