Donaldson Run Tributary B Stream Restoration Project Update - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Donaldson Run Tributary B Stream Restoration Project Update

Donaldson Run Civic Association Meeting April 18, 2012

Tributary A Tributary C

Taylor School

Tributary B

Donaldson Run Watershed Boundary

Donaldson Run watershed

‘Big picture’ concepts

• Past land use and drainage decisions have

severely impacted County streams

• Watershed improvements and in-stream

restoration efforts are both essential

• Urban stream corridor damage must be

addressed comprehensively

• Stream restoration accomplishes multiple

resource management objectives

• Neighborhood partnership is essential

Sediment and Nutrients

Unrestored Tributary B with visibly higher sediment content Restored Tributary A with visibly lower sediment content

County/Donaldson Run Civic Association Partnership

• 10+ year partnership
• Stream restoration top neighborhood priority
• NCAC approved Tributary B funding in

December 2007; County Board 2008; DES providing additional funds

• Extensive County/DRCA public process:

meetings, workshops, stream walks, newsletter articles, park signs, Citizen articles, and other media coverage

KEY PROJECT FACTS:

• Approved Neighborhood Conservation

Program Project

• 1,400 linear feet to Upton street
• 26% impervious cover in watershed
• Natural channel design approach

Updates from prior design to current (~95%) design

• Hydraulic analyses for FEMA permitting underway
• Vertical elevation of water main determined; design

adjustments in process

• Storm pipe drainage inputs

 Inspection of pipes completed  Easement process underway  Finalizing design

• Advancement of planting plan and invasive plant

management strategy

• Consideration of construction access, equipment

type, future maintenance access

Storm pipe drainage inputs

• Verified pipe conditions
• Acquiring necessary

easements

• Incorporating needed

repairs/modifications into project design

30” Water Main

• Interim work completed to protect exposed pipe

last year

• Few apparent conflicts with stream restoration

design except at stilling basin – design adjustments in process

• Considering reinforced streambed crossings for

future access to main if needed

Trees

• No change in tree impacts from project

from 60% designs to current design

• One tree removed to protect water main

(previously listed as a potential removal)

• One tree has fallen (previously listed as a

removal)

• Project impact: 36 trees>10” diameter, 72

trees overall

Invasive Management & Planting Plan

Goals:

• To restore forest structure and

function

• To support recreational use and

aesthetics

Kudzu

Invasive Plants

• 85-95% invasive species in the

shrub and ground layers

• invasive species present on both

park and private properties

• 27 different species

Implications

• Invasive management considerable

component of the project

• Project requires integrated planting and

invasive plant removal

• 4-6 year planting and invasive plant

maintenance schedule

• Complete removal of invasive species is

likely not possible

• Most successful if private citizens are

involved in invasive management

• Invasive plant removal workdays – spring & fall
• Invasive plant workshops

 Upshur St - Hosted by Amy White  Stuart St - Hosted by Sarah & Jeffrey Knight

• Invasive plant replacement mini-grants
• Developed a native plant list for DR homeowners

2011 Invasive Management Actions

• Spring and fall events - Tributary A & B
• Invasive plant workshop(s)? – Tributary A & B
• Native plant rescue
• Creating a RIP team (Remove Invasive Plants)
• Coordination with Arlington Master Naturalists

Future Actions

• Limited chemical application in 2011
• Contract spraying – Summer 2012
• Invasive management plan – Tributary A

Planning & Chemical Control

Invasive Management

 “Clean” equipment  Mulch or mats for trees/shrubs  Seed heavily

• Protect trees and shrubs (deer)
• Focus on stream banks
• Target species
• Coordinate invasive removal

and planting

• Timing of control will depend
• n plant life cycle
• Flexible and adaptive
• Budget

Planting Plan

• Site specific
• All plants will be native to Zachary Taylor

Park

• Planting “zones” to account for habitat

changes with elevation and distance from the stream.

• Special plantings for sensitive areas
• Multi-year to account for invasive control

and natural forest succession

Scarlet oak Quercus coccinea Arrowwood Viburnum dentatum Bluestem goldenrod Solidago caesia

Zoned Planting - Example

Slope Floodplain

Special Areas – Bare Slopes

Construction methods, equipment, & materials

Smaller materials and equipment

Tree protection techniques, Mats

Next Steps

• Finalize design work for storm pipe drainage

inputs

• Obtain necessary easements
• Finalize planting plan and invasive plant

management plan

• Develop construction access/staging plan
• Complete specifications including tree

protection plan

• Target design completion by fall
• Construction schedule still TBD

Learn more at: www.arlingtonva.us – search “Donaldson Run.”

Tributary A, June 2010

Stream restoration, watershed retrofits, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance, Stormwater Permit and more….