Stream Restoration and Monitoring

Contact: Ben Rhoades, Watershed Manager, brhoades@reston.org, 703 435 6535.

From 2008 to 2019, streams in Reston were restored as part of the Northern Virginia Stream Restoration Bank (NVSRB) by Wetland Studies and Solutions Inc. These include most or all reaches of Snakeden Branch, the Glade Stream, and Colvin Run.

Currently, stream restoration projects in Reston are led by Fairfax County’s Stormwater Planning Division. The County is currently in progress to start construction of a stream restoration between Center Harbor and Lamplighter Way. The project page can be found here.

Research is being conducted on Reston’s unique, mature restored streams. Project pages for mussel introduction, stream monitoring, and invasive species management can be found at the Resource Protection Group website. Restonians can expect to see researchers from Virginia Tech, USGS, William and Mary, George Mason University, and other institutions in Glade and Snakeden Branch stream valleys.

Stream Monitoring

Reston’s Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program

Includes 12 stream sites that are monitored seasonally.

Spring: March through May

Fall: September through November

If interested, join our volunteer monitor email distribution list to receive notices o upcoming monitoring dates. Email brhoades@reston.org with the message “add me to the stream monitors list” to begin receiving emails.

RA welcomes new volunteers to assist with stream monitoring at several locations throughout Reston. Get involved with a small team during all seasons to collect data and identify insects with the goal of assessing the health of Reston’s streams. Not only do you get to learn about Reston’s streams, it also provides an opportunity to make new friends. Our program utilizes the Virginia Save Our Streams (VA SOS) method of assessing the water quality in a stream. Based on the type and diversity of aquatic insects found in the stream, you will be able to assess the ecological conditions of the streams. This is known as biological monitoring and is recognized nationally as a reliable indicator of water quality.

If you are interested in assisting with stream monitoring for more than one or two sessions, training and practice opportunities are offered by joining seasoned volunteers or RA staff. You can earn a stream monitoring certification after successfully demonstrating your ability to identify macro-invertebrates. Each monitoring session consists of 2-3 hours. Any interest and commitment level is appreciated.

The data we collect is entered into the VA SOS database and will be used by county and state officials to assess the overall condition of streams and help determine watershed management initiatives.

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District coordinates with Reston’s Stream Monitoring Program. For more information and introductory workshop dates outside of Reston click here.

Sugarland Run Stormwater Improvements in Autumnwood Park

Fairfax County, in partnership with Reston Association, has developed projects to improve stormwater management within the Autumnwood Park watersheds.

*Please Note* These projects are different and completely separate from the Stream Restoration Projects in Snakeden Branch, The Glade and Colvin Run Watersheds.

The Autumnwood Park improvement projects are a Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Department initiative to decrease the velocity of flows and reduce sedimentation of the large stormwater pond near Fairfax County Parkway at the Autumnwood Recreation area.

There are five potential projects. The specific facilities and locations of interest are shown on the map.

• Lake Newport Soccer Field (Plans completed)

• Armstrong Elementary School (Completed 2011)

• Section 41 Winstead Lane and Autumnwood Drive (Basin 0333DP) (Completed 2012, replanted 2013)

• Autumnwood Park Regional Stormwater Management Regional Pond (0330DP) (Completed 2013)

One other potential project for which no plans have been developed.

• Trails Edge Lane Section 45 (Basin 0330 DP)

Autumnwood Regional Stormwater Pond

At the Autumnwood Recreation Area, Fairfax County installed a forebay, constructed wetlands, rock steps, and micro pools at the existing stormwater pond (Regional Pond 0330DP) located at the intersection of Fairfax County Parkway and Walnut Branch Road near the Autumnwood pool and tennis courts.

The Autumnwood Regional Pond construction work began in July and was completed in October with plantings finished in December 2013. The wetland cells and micro pools were constructed to improve water quality of the basin.

To view the plans for this project click the link below.

Winstead Lane and Autumnwood Drive Basin 0333DP

Reston Section 41 basin 0333DP is located behind 11920, 11922, and 11924 Winstead Lane along Bennington Woods Road. Fairfax County graded the area into three micro pools of water and planted the natural area to improve the function of the existing facility in order to add water quality benefits.

On March 14, 2013 a warranty walk was performed at Section 41, and the Fairfax County Urban Forester rejected nearly 95% of the trees and shrubs. The contractor replaced the trees and shrubs and watered weekly in the summer.

Armstrong Elementary School Project

Armstrong Elementary School is located at 11900 Lake Newport Rd. The school retrofit included reforestation to parts of the school property as well as vegetated swales and rain gardens. These measures allow for greater water quality improvement and velocity control of stormwater from the school property.

View the concept plans by clicking the link below.

Lake Newport Soccer Field Project

The soccer field is located at 1550 Reston Parkway on the western corner of the Reston Parkway and Lake Newport Road intersection. The retrofit will serve to improve the function of the existing facility to add water quality improvement. Some of the enhancements included on the plan are: grading in and around the facility, installing a rain garden, and planting native vegetation.

For questions or more information, please contact William Peterson, Watershed Manager, wpeterson@reston.org, 703-435-6535.

For more information click the link below.