City of Fairfax Streams

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View and/or Download the City of Fairfax Streams Map

The City of Fairfax has taken an active role in restoring the city’s stream channels. The need for stream channel restoration is a result of the increase in stormwater flows over the years. The main source of this increase is from development in the city. When open areas are developed and paved, the amount of runoff increases because the infiltration capacity of the land is reduced. This water enters the storm drains, which eventually drains to the city’s open stream channels.

Current city regulations require stormwater management for new developments and redevelopment (see City of Fairfax Code). Stormwater management is a means to control excess storm runoff resulting from the development of a site. Stormwater management measures include stormwater management ponds and underground detention vaults to hold excess stormwater so that it can be released at a rate equal to the water leaving the site prior to development. Because much of the city was development prior to the issuance of stormwater management regulations, there is a significant amount of uncontrolled stormwater entering the city’s stream channels. Many of the streams are not able to handle the existing storm flows, which has resulted in severe stream bank erosion and increased sediment loading.

More information about City of Fairfax Streams	The Accotink Creek Restoration Project	The Accotink Creek Restoration Project Glossary	The Accotink USGS Water Quality Gauging Station

For more information, contact:

Satoshi Eto, Program Manager
Phone: 703-273-6073
Email: Satoshi.Eto@fairfaxva.gov

Public Works
10455 Armstrong Street
Fairfax, VA 22030

Resources

www.epa.gov/owow/restore/ (Restoring Streams Article)
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=0165389205 (View real time data from the Accotink Creek gauging station visit the USGS website)
City of Fairfax Code ( Stormwater management for new developments and redevelopment)

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