“Sick,” officials declared about Snakeden Branch. This stream winds through Reston on its way to Lake Audubon. Eventually, it flows into the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. But increased development has harmed this watershed.
Now, local and state representatives have partnered to reverse these problems. The Snakeden Branch’s headwaters lie between Reston Parkway and Colts Neck Road. This is near the Reston Community Center. It is the latest stream to benefit from a restoration plan. The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District and the Virginia Department of Forestry designed and implemented the plan.
Back in August 2003, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. Actual work began after delays caused by heavy rainfall. Diana Saccone was the Reston Association’s watershed manager. She said Snakeden Branch was the most degraded stream in Reston. This project marked the start of a new watershed management plan.
The Reston Association presented its watershed plan in April 2002. With a formal master plan, they could approach agencies with a detailed summary. Susan Jones, the RA president, praised Fairfax County’s help. She highlighted the excellent partnership moving this important project forward.
Snakeden Branch is in a densely developed urban area. It is a victim of its surroundings. Channel erosion and exposed roots are visible. The channel’s banks are high and nearly vertical. Vegetation has been stripped from their roots. Like other watersheds, Snakeden is surrounded by asphalt. Rainwater flows directly into the stream instead of seeping into the ground.
Increased water flow leads to erosion of the stream beds. Supervisor Cathy Hudgins helped broker the partnership between the county and RA. She noted that almost 28 percent of the runoff comes from impervious surfaces. Hudgins praised RA’s foresight. She said they were aggressive in fighting for this issue.
Under the partnership, RA is responsible for funding. The county helps with administrative hurdles. Hudgins called it an innovative partnership. Restoring the watershed is hard work but necessary.
Jones said RA approached the county for help. Cost and logistics require a phased approach. But starting as soon as possible is important. Jones said Reston is at the forefront of this movement. They will have state-of-the-art retrofitting.
Project partners are constructing water management systems. These systems will decrease water flow and return runoff to normal levels. Without action, the long-term outlook for Snakeden is bleak. Asad Rouhi promotes bioengineering and habitat protection. He noted that intense development has increased impervious surfaces. This yields more stormwater runoff. The stream cuts into the bed and banks causing serious erosion. Now, the stream is acting as a polluter. It carries excess sediment downstream to the Chesapeake Bay.
The project covers a 200-foot stretch of Snakeden Branch. The first step was to re-grade the banks for a gentler slope. Then, the restoration team installed plants. They used biodegradable logs and mats to protect the banks. The team is constructing a mini-dam to help with runoff. Dr. Judy Okay said roots hold the soil and filter pollutants. Vegetation provides wildlife habitat and shades the stream. Also, leaves intercept the rain, slowing its path.