Stormwater Infrastructure Projects

The stormwater infrastructure projects presented on this webpage help the City achieve pollution reductions associated with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL as mandated through the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. These projects reduce pollution entering our local waters and the Bay and provide community benefits such as improving aesthetics, safety, and protecting sewer infrastructure.
Page updated on February 29, 2024 at 9:16 AM
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The stormwater infrastructure projects presented on this webpage help the City achieve pollution reductions associated with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL as mandated through the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. These projects reduce pollution entering our local waters and the Bay and provide community benefits such as improving aesthetics, safety, and protecting sewer infrastructure. 

Stream Restoration Projects

Lucky Run Stream photo

Lucky Run Stream Restoration

Lucky Run is a tributary to Four Mile Run and part of the larger Potomac River watershed. The Lucky Run watershed consists of approximately 225 acres of densely developed urban land and as a result, the stream currently exhibits instability along with exposed sanitary sewer line. The project section of the Lucky Run begins where the stream emerges from the culvert under West Braddock Road near I-395 and continues downstream to the wet pond near Ford Avenue and Park Center Drive. Natural channel design techniques will be applied to approximately 950 linear feet of stream to restore Lucky Run to a stable condition and improve stream function, water quality, and habitat.

The restored stream will be reconnected to the floodplain which will help filter pollutants, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment. In addition, banks will be stabilized using native vegetation and other natural design techniques which will mitigate the bank erosion, preventing large amounts of sediment from washing downstream. Whenever possible, on-site materials will be used in the construction of the project.
Strawberry Run Conditions photo

Strawberry Run Stream Restoration

The Strawberry Run Stream Restoration project involves approximately 900 linear feet section of stream located west of Fort Williams Parkway, east of Taft Avenue, and north of Duke Street. The project limits are approximately 500 feet north of Duke Street and continuing north (upstream) to the culvert under Fort Williams Parkway. Ongoing erosion along the stream banks is deteriorating water quality and threatening existing infrastructure. In keeping with its dedication to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, the City is proposing to use environmentally conscious engineering practices that mimic nature to reconstruct stream banks, encourage native plant growth, and moderate the intense impact of streamflow during high-precipitation events. The project's main goals include protecting the stormwater pipe outfalls, stabilizing the stream banks, shielding the pedestrian bridge from continued erosion, and managing the hydraulic stream flow regime. Whenever possible, on-site materials will be used in the construction of the project. The project stakeholder team for the City’s stream restoration projects include Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), Department of Project Implementation (DPI), Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) Natural Resources, the consulting team, and the community. A series of community collaboration meetings are planned for September and October 2022, please follow along to hear from experts about the Strawberry Run stream restoration design process.
Taylor Run Proposed Conditions View 2

Taylor Run Stream Restoration

The Taylor Run Stream Restoration project involves approximately 1,900 linear feet section of stream near the Chinquapin Recreation Center, along the walking path in Chinquapin Park and Forest Park. The project limits are from the culvert on the Chinquapin Recreation Center property downstream to behind the First Baptist Church property. The stream corridor is highly disturbed with severe bank erosion, stream downcutting and widening at various locations. Significant amounts of fallen trees, riprap, and debris can be found in the channel. Ongoing erosion along the stream banks is deteriorating water quality and threatening existing infrastructure. In keeping with its dedication to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, the City is proposing to use environmentally conscious engineering practices that mimic nature to reconstruct stream banks, encourage native plant growth, and moderate/diminish the impact of streamflow during high-precipitation events. The project's main goals include protecting the stormwater pipe outfalls, stabilizing the stream banks, protecting exposed sanitary sewer system and managing the hydraulic stream flow regime. Whenever possible, on-site materials will be used in the construction of the project. The project stakeholder team for the City’s stream restoration projects include Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), Department of Project Implementation (DPI), Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) Natural Resources, the consulting team, and the community. A series of community collaboration meetings are planned for September and October 2022, please follow along to hear from experts about the Taylor Run stream restoration design process.

Pond Retrofit Projects

Ben Brenman pond
Ben Brenman pond (above) acts as a stormwater Best Management Practice to help filter pollutants, such as nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment out of the stormwater that enters the pond.  

Ben Brenman Pond Stormwater Management Retrofit Project

Ben Brenman Pond, also called Cameron Station Pond, is located in Ben Brenman Park.  The Ben Brenman Pond Stormwater Management Retrofit Project will retrofit the existing "level 1" stormwater wet pond to a "level 2" stormwater wet pond.  This wet pond acts as a stormwater BMP to help filter pollutants, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment out of the stormwater that enters the pond.  

Project Goals and Benefits

  • Upgrade the pond to better treat stormwater runoff to help meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup mandates and protect downstream waterways 
  • Landscaping with native plants to discourage geese and provide habitat for riparian birds and animals 
  • New educational signage with ecological and stormwater information around the trail 

Funding

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) awarded the City a $1.75 million   Stormwater Local Assistance Fund grant for this project. 

Schedule

Construction on this project began in March 2019 and is considered substantially complete as of June 2020.

Lake Cook Stormwater Management Retrofit Project

Lake Cook is located along Eisenhower Avenue in Cameron Run Regional Park, adjacent to Great Waves Waterpark.  The Lake Cook Stormwater Management Retrofit Project will retrofit the existing fishing pond to a stormwater wet pond.  This wet pond will act as a stormwater best management practice (BMP) to help filter pollutants, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment out of the stormwater that enters the pond.  

The City of Alexandria Public Art Program has selected artist David Hess to join the Lake Cook design team to integrate public art into the retrofit project. 

Lake Cook is stocked for fishing by the Department of Games and Inland Fisheries.  Please visit the Department of Games and Inland Fisheries website www.dgif.virginia.gov for information about the stocking schedule.  

Project Goals and Benefits

  • Upgrade the lake to to better treat stormwater runoff to help meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup mandates and protect downstream waterways
  • Enhance amenities, create new trail connections and new fishing opportunities
  • Landscaping with native plants to discourage geese and provide habitat for riparian birds and animals 
  • New educational signage with ecological and stormwater information around the trail 

Funding

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) awarded the City a $1.5 million Stormwater Local Assistance Fund grant for this project. 

Schedule

Construction on this project was completed in fall 2018.