Fairfax County restores Wakefield Run
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| The newly restored Wakefield Run. |
The
Wakefield Run restoration project is just about complete, except for some
additional replanting that will be done by the contractor and volunteers.
Wakefield Run restoration project is just about complete, except for some
additional replanting that will be done by the contractor and volunteers.
The
stream is supposed to direct high water out onto the floodplain, and it has
done so during a couple of rainstorms that occurred since it was completed, reports Philip Latasa
of Friends of Accotink Creek.
stream is supposed to direct high water out onto the floodplain, and it has
done so during a couple of rainstorms that occurred since it was completed, reports Philip Latasa
of Friends of Accotink Creek.
Wakefield Run originates in Annandale near Braddock Elementary School, flows under the beltway and the Cross County Trail
and joins Accotink Creek in Wakefield
Park. The stream had been subject to excessive runoff, which caused severe
erosion.
The
restoration project was aimed at slowing down erosion and
stabilizing the streambed by putting in a plunge pool at the beltway culvert,
creating meanders in the stream, reinforcing the banks with stone, and carrying
out other improvements. FAC volunteers saved some of the native plants for
replanting.
restoration project was aimed at slowing down erosion and
stabilizing the streambed by putting in a plunge pool at the beltway culvert,
creating meanders in the stream, reinforcing the banks with stone, and carrying
out other improvements. FAC volunteers saved some of the native plants for
replanting.
The
total cost of the project was $440,000, or roughly $400 to $500 per linear foot. The
majority of the funding, $300,000, was from the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. The balance came from Washington Gas and the Park Authority’s
compensation for the loss of land due to the beltway express lanes project.
total cost of the project was $440,000, or roughly $400 to $500 per linear foot. The
majority of the funding, $300,000, was from the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. The balance came from Washington Gas and the Park Authority’s
compensation for the loss of land due to the beltway express lanes project.
FAC
hopes the restored stream will be a better habitat for fish and invertebrates.
hopes the restored stream will be a better habitat for fish and invertebrates.
