Aging storm channel restored in Annandale

More work has been done on the channel since these photos were taken two weeks ago.

A major stream restoration project in Annandale’s Broyhill Crest neighborhood is virtually complete, with just a few minor loose ends to tie up.

The Murray Lane Outfall Restoration Project is aimed at shoring up an existing storm channel to increase capacity and thus prevent flooding.

“The existing storm channel exceeded its life. The walls had collapsed. The structure showed signs of failure, and the hydraulic capacity was lacking,” said Jack Meritt, an engineer in the stormwater management program at the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.  

There had already been significant flooding in four backyards and some homes were nearly flooded.

The upgraded channel runs for about 900 feet between the backyards on Murray Lane and Lockwood Lane. Water from a stream at Larchmont Park is piped under Murray Lane and is discharged into the channel behind 7106 Murray Lane. 

The channel ends near the community gardens at the Lockwood Lane cul-de-sac, where the stream joins a tributary of Holmes Run. 

Related story: Stream restoration project starts this week in Annandale

The county already had a 60-foot easement between the backyards, Meritt says. Only two homeowners were asked to approve small easements where the new channel was wider than the existing one. 

The total cost of the project is around $950,000. The county is providing new trees to make up for those cut down during construction and has agreed to reinstall or replace homeowners’ fences.