Gulf Branch Stream Resilience Project

Location

3608 North Military Rd, Arlington, VA 22207  View Map

Google Map

Status

In Design

Gulf Branch Stream Project

Location

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

View Map

Status

In Design

  • 2019 - 2022: Concept Design Engagement
  • 2023 - 2024: Final Design Engagement
  • 2024 - Early 2025: Permitting, Procurement
  • Mid-2025: Anticipated Construction Start

Summer-Fall 2024 Gulf Branch Stream Project Update

Thank you to all who joined us for the in-person community meeting on Thursday, September 5 at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington VA. We enjoyed walking the stream along with the indoor presentation at the Nature Center.  

What's New In This Phase of the Design?

  • New regenerative stormwater conveyance added to capture, filter and slow down runoff. 
  • Planting plan details, covering more than 150% of replanting requirements.
  • Trail closure plan to keep trail users safe through construction.
  • Maintenance and monitoring plan: Planting for success, ensuring survivability, stream structure stability and monitoring
  • Project start anticipated in 2025. 

Learn More & Share Your Thoughts

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
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.

(JPG, 332KB)
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.

(JPG, 320KB)
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

(JPEG, 250KB)
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

(JPEG, 242KB)
Eroded stream bed

Stream erosion after July 2019 storm

(JPEG, 303KB)
Eroded banks, exposed tree roots

Eroded banks, exposed tree roots

(JPEG, 247KB)
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).

(JPEG, 257KB)
Old brick stream wall

Old stream wall near the Nature Center

(JPEG, 291KB)
Stream channel gets wider and deeper. Evidence of active erosion.

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

(JPEG, 260KB)
Wooden bridge section pushed up against a tree

Damage after the July 2019 storm

(JPEG, 286KB)
Rectangular concrete section across stream

Exposed sanitary sewer pipe near Broyhill Forest Park

(JPEG, 309KB)
Erosion on slope next to wooden and gravel stairs.

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

(JPEG, 278KB)
Broken fence above large culvert

Damage to Military Road culvert after July 2019 storm

(JPEG, 283KB)
Broken/missing fence above large culvert

Damage to Military Road culvert after July 2019 storm

(JPEG, 237KB)
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.

(JPEG, 258KB)
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.

(JPEG, 279KB)

Contacts

Lily Whitesell
703-228-3042

 

Ty Asfaw
703-228-3959

Gulf Branch Fall 2024 Native Plant Rescues

Sign up to help rescue native plants along the Gulf Branch corridor fall 2024: 10/22, 11/19, 12/14

After the fall native plant rescues, help remove invasive plants in Gulf Branch Park, typically the second Saturday each month. Sign up to remove invasive plants at Gulf Branch 

Subscribe

Gulf Branch Virtual Stream Walk

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

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

Quick Links

Back to top