Watershed Planning Workshop Upper Mainstem & Middle Four Mile Run November 30, 2011 Fairlington Community Center
Arlington s watersheds Chesapeake Bay watershed
Watershed Planning Initiated May 2008 Contracted to Center for Watershed Protection Result is an inventory of potential stormwater retrofit projects. Anticipates Chesapeake Bay clean-up requirements Part ato of Arlington s ssto Stormwater Master Plan update
Stormwater Master Plan Update Storm Sewer Capacity Analysis to study the County's current storm sewer pipes. County-wide stream inventory to assess stream conditions and prioritize stream restoration projects. Watershed plans plans to identify locations where stormwater treatment facilities can be added to help slow down and filter polluted stormwater runoff.
Storm drain to local stream Water in storm drains does not go to a treatment plant To the Potomac River On to the Chesapeake Bay
Sediment and Nutrients
Effect of Urbanization on Watersheds Impervious surface Runoff speed and volume Water Quality Groundwater supply Stream Corridor Restoration, FISRWG, 1998
Effect of Urbanization on Watersheds
Severe streambank erosion and habitat degradation
Stormwater Retrofits A retrofit is a stormwater management facility designed to slow and treat polluted stormwater runoff that is currently uncontrolled.
Why Stormwater Retrofits? Stormwater retrofits provide our best opportunities to improve watershed health, along with redevelopment and stream restoration. Required to meet Chesapeake Bay clean-up goals.
Why Stormwater Retrofits? Stormwater retrofits will help: Clean and filter pollutants from runoff Slow and temporarily store stormwater runoff Improve water quality in our local streams
Impervious cover in Arlington = 41% or 6875 acres
% Impervious Cover - 2009 County 41 Fairlington-Bradlee Lucky Run 42 44 Bailey's Branch 52 Arlington Forest Upper Long Branch FMR Middle 38 42 42 FMR Upper 2 33 FMR Upper 1 36
Impervious cover in Arlington County - 2007 Alley 0.2% Airport 3.8% Handicap ramp 0.1% Driveway 7.4% Buildings 30.1% Parking lot 15.7% Paved median 0.6% Sidewalks 8.4% Roads 33.8%
Watershed Planning Status >600 projects identified 2 Green Streets projects constructed Multiple projects in design Williamsburg Blvd median (Old Dominion to 35th St N)
Can Retrofits Alone Protect Our Streams? Time and funding limitations mean implementation will be incremental. <10% of impervious area can be retrofitted Retrofits alone cannot solve current flooding, infrastructure and stream erosion problems. County must and will fund and implement infrastructure updates and stream restoration projects in addition to retrofits. Implementation on private property is essential for significant change.
StormwaterWise Landscapes Incentive Program
Homeowner retrofit examples Cistern Rain Garden
Green roofs
Homeowner retrofit examples Rain Barrel(s) Pervious Pavement
Questions?? Christin Jolicoeur, Watershed Planner Phone: (703) 228-3588 Email: cjolicoeur@arlingtonva.us us Web: www.arlingtonva.us Residents Environment Watershed Management
To Learn More Stormwater Master Plan Update http://www.co.arlington.va.us/departments/environmentalservices/epo/page74076.aspx Watershed Retrofit Planning www.arlingtonva.us/departments/environmentalservices/epo/page67082.aspx StormwaterWise Landscapes www.arlingtonva.us/stormwaterwise Rain Gardens for Homeowners Workshops http://www.novaregion.org/index.aspx?nid=977 /i Rain Barrel Workshops & Sales http:// ://www.arlingtonenvironment.org/barrel.php org/barrel Green It! Workshop Series http://www.arlingtonva.us/portals/topics/climateevents.aspx p p p Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/#!/arlingtondes