Watershed Retrofit Study

A watershed retrofit is the addition of a stormwater facility to an area that currently doesn’t have one. Adding a stormwater facility can help slow down and filter stormwater runoff before it flows into local streams. This is important in areas like Arlington, where much of the County was developed before stormwater requirements were enacted. One example of a watershed retrofit is a green street.

We worked with the Center for Watershed Protection to develop watershed retrofit plans and a County-wide project inventory. During the process, all of the County’s watersheds were studied to find space where small stormwater facilities can be added. The Watershed Retrofit Study was completed in December 2013. This effort is part of the Stormwater Master Plan.

Prioritizing Retrofits

The sites were scored and prioritized based on several factors:

• Runoff reduction: The capacity to decrease stormwater runoff from the drainage areas they capture.
• Pollutant removal: The capacity to reduce pollutants from the sites they capture.
• Alleviation of drainage problems: The capacity to alleviate existing drainage problems, when feasible.
• Education and outreach: The capacity to provide outdoor learning and community outreach opportunities on public lands, where possible.
• Construction: The ability to construct based on site constraints such as property ownership and utilities.
• Maintenance: Requirements for County maintenance.

Ranked List of Retrofits

• County-wide List of Retrofits
• High Priority Retrofits 
• County-wide List of Retrofits With Concept Designs

Doctor's Branch, Lubber Run, Spout Run and Windy Run

• Doctor’s Branch, Lubber Run, Spout Run and Windy Run Final Report

Ranked Listing of Projects

• Doctor’s Branch
• Lubber Run
• Spout Run
• Windy Run

Public Meetings

• Sept. 19, 2011– County Presentation
• Sept. 19, 2011– Center for Watershed Protection Presentation
• Jan. 13, 2011– County Presentation
• Jan. 13, 2011– Center for Watershed Protection Presentation

Donaldson Run, Gulf Branch and Upper Four Mile Run

• Donaldson Run, Gulf Branch and Upper Four Mile Run Final Report

Ranked Listing of Projects

• Donaldson Run
• Gulf Branch
• Upper Four Mile Run

Note: Torreyson Run, Crossman Run and Westover Branch subwatersheds are are part of the larger Four Mile Run watershed.

Public Meetings

• Feb. 1, 2011– County Presentation
• Feb. 1, 2011– Center for Watershed Protection Presentation
• March 18, 2010 – County Presentation
• March 18, 2010 – Center for Watershed Protection Presentation

Four Mile Run – Lower Mainstem and Potomac Palisades

• Four Mile Run – Lower Mainstem and Potomac Palisades Final Report

Ranked Listing of Projects

• Arlington Branch
• Cemetery Pentagon
• Colonial Village Branch
• Four Mile Run – Lower Mainstem
• Little Pimmit Run – Mainstem
• Lower Long Branch
• Nauck Branch
• Palisades
• Pimmit Run
• Rixey Branch
• Roaches Run
• Rocky Run
• Rosslyn
• Stohman’s Run
• Virginia Highlands

Public Meetings

• Jan. 29, 2013 – County Presentation
• May 30, 2012 – County Presentation
• May 30, 2012 – Center for Watershed Protection Presentation

Four Mile Run – Upper and Middle Mainstem

• Four Mile Run – Upper and Middle Mainstem Final Report

Ranked Listing of Projects

• Arlington Forest Branch
• Bailey’s Branch
• Fairlington/Bradlee
• Four Mile Run – Middle Mainstem
• Four Mile Run – Upper Mainstem 1
• Four Mile Run – Upper Mainstem 2
• Lucky Run
• Upper Long Branch

Public Meetings

• May 2, 2012 – County Presentation
• May 2, 2012 – Center for Watershed Protection Presentation
• Nov. 30, 2011 – County Presentation
• Nov. 30, 2011 – Center for Watershed Protection Presentation

Little Pimmit Run

• Little Pimmit Run Final Report

Ranked Listing of Projects

• Little Pimmit

Public Meetings

• June 4, 2009 County Presentation
• June 4, 2009 – Center for Watershed Protection Presentation
• Nov. 12, 2008 – County Presentation
• Nov. 12, 2008 – Center for Watershed Protection Presentation
• Nov. 12, 2008 – Why Retrofit Little Pimmit Run Watershed Presentation