Gulf Branch Stream Resilience Project

Construction

Location

3608 North Military Rd, Arlington, VA 22207  View Map

Google Map

Status

Construction

Gulf Branch Stream Project

Location

Stream sections near Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N Military Rd.

View Map(JPG, 322KB)

April-May 2026 Gulf Branch Stream Project Update

The Gulf Branch Stream Resilience Project began construction in early 2026 and is expected to last through early 2027. To receive monthly construction updates about trail closures, detours, and project progress, please sign up through this online form.

  • In April-May, the project team is beginning the stream work, directly addressing the ongoing erosion by reshaping the channel to be in balance with the watershed and resilient even in heavy storms. They will install stone and log structures that are carefully designed to guide the water through the channel and prevent future erosion. 
  • The first areas where stream work will happen are in the stream sections near Broyhill Park and near Old Glebe Park & the meadow area. 
  • Work is also beginning on the stormwater management practice in the meadow area that will capture, filter, and slow down 39,550 gallons of runoff. Existing soil will be excavated and replaced with a special soil filter bed mix that forms the workhorse of the practice. 
  • As the work in each section is complete, the soil will also be stabilized. Once the stream work is complete, the robust, dense, and diverse replanting plan will include native canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, and native plants tailored to site-specific locations within the stream corridor and park.
  • The initial phase of installing access paths, fencing, and tree protection and removals is complete. The deck matting and underlying mulch on the access paths help protect roots of nearby trees. Some of the logs are being saved for use as in-stream habitat logs. There were also several trees that were able to be harvested for wood milling, as part of a wood reuse initiative in line with the recommendations of the Natural Resource Conservation Plan. 

Trail Closures and Crossings

If you visit Gulf Branch Park, you will see fences up throughout the park. This represents the full trail closure for all stream sections.

There are a few key locations where trails cross the project area. See below for a map. 

  • Trail crossing A: This trail section at the base of Reach 2 connects the Nature Center to the northern and western sections of the park. This crossing will be open unless there is active construction in the immediate area. 
  • Trail crossing B: This is the small pedestrian bridge that connects the interior of the park to the Old Glebe tennis courts. The bridge will be open unless there is active construction in the immediate area. 
  • Trail location C: This trail section connects 37th Street N (small street off of Military Road) to the interior of the park. This section will remain closed until the stream work in this area is complete. 
  • Broyhill Park: The Broyhill Park access will remain closed until the stream work in that area is complete. The stream sections accessed through Broyhill Park will be Phase 1 of the in-stream work. 

Gulf Branch Nature Center and the driveway from Military Road continue to be open. You can also access park areas from Old Glebe Park, Madison Community Center, and the N Dittmar Road area.

Please exercise caution when you are in the park near the construction areas. For everyone's safety, please do not enter fenced off areas. 

Trail closures during Gulf Branch stream project. Detailed description in text on page.

Click for larger image

Previous Updates

Previous Updates

January 2026 Gulf Branch Stream Project Update

The Gulf Branch Stream Resilience Project began construction in late December and January with site preparations and setup. To receive monthly construction updates about trail closures, detours, and project progress, please sign up through this online form.

Construction has begun with site preparations and setup, installing construction fencing, tree protections and removal, and creating construction paths. This will likely last through late winter, weather depending. 

  • Fences will be installed throughout the project area during the site preparations, including construction access path creation and tree protection and removals. During this time, access will be restricted throughout the whole project area.
  • However, you can still access Gulf Branch Park through the Nature Center and Military Road. The driveway will remain open. You can also access park areas from Old Glebe Road Park, Madison Community Center, and the N Dittmar & 37th Rd N area. 
  • Please exercise caution during the start to construction. For everyone's safety, please do not enter fenced off areas. 

After site preparations, the stream work will start in phases. Trails in stream sections not under active construction will be reopened until work in that area begins. 

The stream channel will be reshaped and stone structures installed in three phases based on site access. In some sections the stream bed will be raised to protect underlying infrastructure, and in others the stream banks will be graded to provide more space for floodwaters to spread out. 

  • The first phase will be accessed through Broyhill Park likely in late winter to late spring 2026,
  • The second phase will be accessed through 37th St N likely in spring and summer 2026,
  • The third phase will be accessed through Military Road on the opposite side of the stream from the Nature Center driveway likely from late summer 2026 through the end of the year. Please note that the Nature Center will remain open through construction.
  • Watch the project construction video below to learn more about trail closures and detours in each phase. 

 

 

What's Included in the Final Design?

  • Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) that can capture, filter and slow down 39,550 gallons of runoff upstream of the stream project area.
  • Targeted scope focusing on areas with the highest risks of inaction and severe active erosion. Lower impact methods will be used to address areas that are beginning to erode. 
  • Robust, dense and diverse native replanting plan tailored to site-specific details, covering more than 150% of replanting requirements.
  • Trail closure plan to keep trail users safe through construction.
  • Maintenance and monitoring plan: Invasive plant management, ensuring stream structure stability and monitoring

Learn More

  • Watch the summer 2025 project update video to learn how community input has shaped the project plans and other key project components. 
  • Four new Green Street rain gardens were installed in spring 2025 in the Gulf Branch watershed. The rain garden soil and native plants act as a natural filter and sponge, capturing runoff from 3.41 acres total drainage area. They treat 1.43 acres of impervious area and over 23,000 gallons of stormwater runoff. Through an innovative grant-funded partnership with the Center for Watershed Protection, the rain garden soil media includes biochar, a pulverized charcoal substance, to increase soil porosity, water holding capacity, infiltration rates and carbon capture.
  • Watch the virtual stream walk video.
  • Learn about Arlington stream resilience.

Previous Updates

Thank you to everyone who has engaged throughout the Gulf Branch Stream Project process! We appreciate all the feedback from the community, commission members, and park neighbors that has shaped the project as we get ready for the construction start in fall 2025. 

What's Included in the Final Design?

  • Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) that can capture, filter and slow down 39,550 gallons of runoff upstream of the stream project area.
  • Targeted scope focusing on areas with the highest risks of inaction and severe active erosion. Lower impact methods will be used to address areas that are beginning to erode. 
  • Robust, dense and diverse native replanting plan tailored to site-specific details, covering more than 150% of replanting requirements.
  • Trail closure plan to keep trail users safe through construction.
  • Maintenance and monitoring plan: Invasive plant management, ensuring stream structure stability and monitoring

Learn More

  • Watch the summer 2025 project update video to learn how community input has shaped the project plans and other key project components. 
  • Four new Green Street rain gardens were installed in spring 2025 in the Gulf Branch watershed. The rain garden soil and native plants act as a natural filter and sponge, capturing runoff from 3.41 acres total drainage area. They treat 1.43 acres of impervious area and over 23,000 gallons of stormwater runoff. Through an innovative grant-funded partnership with the Center for Watershed Protection, the rain garden soil media includes biochar, a pulverized charcoal substance, to increase soil porosity, water holding capacity, infiltration rates and carbon capture.
  • Watch the virtual stream walk video.
  • Learn about Arlington stream resilience.

 

 

Exposed sanitary pipe.jpg
Exposed sanitary pipes in Gulf Branch like the one in the photo above will be re-buried under the bed of the stream, improving long-term stream safety and health.

About the Project

As part of Arlington County’s efforts to protect our local streams, Gulf Branch was identified as a high priority for a stream repair and resiliency project because of active erosion, infrastructure concerns and habitat degradation. Funding for design was allocated through the Capital Improvement Plan in 2018.

Stream projects are a key strategy identified and adopted as part of the Stormwater Master Plan. Project goals include: 

  • Create a stable stream channel to accommodate storm flows, address active erosion and create overall resiliency to climate change
  • Repair and protect vulnerable exposed infrastructure and prevent sewage releases to the stream and repeat emergency repairs
  • Reduce excess sediment and nutrients being transported downstream to help protect Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay and meet regulatory requirements
  • Enhance habitat and reduce impact to existing high-quality habitat
  • Increase public safety and access to stream for recreational purposes (also supports biophilic goals)

Meeting Materials 

Please contact us to receive notification of upcoming meeting dates.

Date Location and Description Meeting Materials
Fall 2025 Pre-Construction Communications
  • Letter to Immediate Neighbors
September 2024 Community Meeting
Gulf Branch Nature Center
July 2024 Advisory Group Meeting
Gulf Branch Nature Center
October 25, 2023 Community Meeting
Gulf Branch Nature Center
October 9 & 11, 2023 Advisory Group meetings
Gulf Branch Nature Center
November 2022

Gulf Branch Green Streets Neighbor Meetings
June 22, 2022

Community Meeting
Virtual
May 23, 2022

Advisory Group Meeting
Gulf Branch Nature Center
February 19, 2020 Advisory Group Meeting
Gulf Branch Nature Center
November 6, 2019 Community Meeting #2
Madison Community Center
October 9, 2019 Advisory Group Meeting
Gulf Branch Nature Center
July 17, 2019 Open House / Meeting #1
Gulf Branch Nature Center
May 22, 2019 Gulf Branch Stream Restoration Advisory Group
Gulf Branch Nature Center

Photo Gallery

Design visualization shows gently sloped banks and raised stream bed. Existing conditions show steep dropoff and exposed sanitary sewer pipes and manhole structure.

Design visualization shows gently sloped banks and raised stream bed. Existing conditions show steep dropoff and exposed sanitary sewer pipes and manhole structure.

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Design visualization shows gently sloped banks to the stream. Existing conditions show large stone riprap boulders armoring the stream just upstream of Military Road.

Design visualization shows gently sloped banks to the stream. Existing conditions show large stone riprap boulders armoring the stream just upstream of Military Road.

(JPG, 308KB)
Design visualization shows gently sloped banks to the stream. Existing conditions show large stone riprap boulders armoring the stream.

Design visualization shows gently sloped banks to the stream. Existing conditions show large stone riprap boulders armoring the stream.

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Old stream wall and exposed sanitary sewer pipes near Broyhill Forest Park.

Gulf Branch - Old stream wall and exposed sanitary sewer pipes near Broyhill Forest Park.eam Project1

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Large concrete manhole structure

Exposed sanitary manhole and steep banks. This structure used to be safely offset from the stream banks. Over time, the soil around it has eroded

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Eroded stream bed

Stream erosion after July 2019 storm

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Eroded banks, exposed tree roots

Eroded banks, exposed tree roots

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Rectangular concrete box and exposed metal pipe in stream bed

Sanitary pipe crossing the stream previously protected with concrete. Severe erosion in July 2019 storm led to feet of newly exposed sanitary sewer pipe (which has since been protected with more concrete).

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Old brick stream wall

Old stream wall near the Nature Center

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Stream channel gets wider and deeper. Evidence of active erosion.

Neighbors have expressed concerns about the widening and deepening ditch at Reach 1

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Wooden bridge section pushed up against a tree

Damage after the July 2019 storm

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Rectangular concrete section across stream

Exposed sanitary sewer pipe near Broyhill Forest Park

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Erosion on slope next to wooden and gravel stairs.

Damage after July 2019 storm. Erosion next to stairs from Broyhill Forest Park.

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Broken fence above large culvert

Damage to Military Road culvert after July 2019 storm

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Broken/missing fence above large culvert

Damage to Military Road culvert after July 2019 storm

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Old stone stream wall and large riprap boulders armor the stream

Old stream walls next to Military Road have generally held, but in extreme storms water floods the road. The culvert is undersized.

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Eroded stream banks and exposed tree roots under a bridge

Stream bank erosion where Reach 4 enters Gulf Branch. This eroded outfall will be addressed separately from the stream project.

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Contacts

Lily Whitesell
Email
703-228-3042

 

Ty Asfaw
Email
703-228-3959

Gulf Branch Invasive Plant Removals

Help remove invasive plants in Gulf Branch Park, typically the second Saturday each month. Sign up to remove invasive plants at Gulf Branch 

Gulf Branch Virtual Stream Walk

Stream Resilience StoryMap

Stream Resilience.JPG
Learn more about Arlington stream resilience, project priorities and lessons learned with this Stream Resilience StoryMap.

Gulf Branch Native Plant Rescues

Many thanks to the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and other park volunteers who helped rescue native tree seedlings and plants from the Gulf Branch project area in fall 2024 and spring 2025!

Gulf Branch Native Plant Rescue.jpg

Gulf Branch Live Stakes Pilot

Thanks to all the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists, stream monitors and community volunteers who helped harvest and plant live stakes at Gulf Branch in February 2024! Photo credits: Master Naturalist Toni Genberg. Learn more about the live stakes pilot project. 

Gulf Branch live stakes thumb.JPG

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