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TextEnvironmental News in the Braddock District
Lake Accotink Spillway Repair
Work on the Lake Accotink spillway continues to be delayed due to
weather conditions over the winter and a blockage in the outlet control
structure that is preventing proper drawdown of the lake.
The County has hired a contractor to clear and repair the outlet control
structure. There is currently a barge on site to dredge and remove
approximately 1,600 cubic yards of silt and other debris from around the
riser. Already, the County has discovered that the structure itself was
blocked by a Trash Rack that had been smashed into the structure by a
log.
Once the outlet control structure is functioning properly, the
contractor will begin drawing down the lake. The additional contract cost
is significant, and just this week the contractor was authorized to hire
a diver to go into the structure to investigate what else might be
causing this blockage and assess how to undertake repairs. A major
consideration at this point is designing a protective piece to prevent
this from happening again. Your patience during this process is greatly
appreciated
Woodglen Lake Dam Rehabilitation
On May 15, Supervisor Cook will join Chairman Bulova and Federal and
State officials to mark the start of the long awaited rehabilitation of
the Woodglen Lake dam. This ceremony will take place at the Lake at 1:00
p.m. near the Fireside Court entrance.
This project is a continuation of the county’s commitment to ensuring
that all Pohick PL-566 lakes meet current dam standards, and is a
partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. On this project,
the County has also tapped Federal stimulus funds.
The total cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $1.7
million, of which $600,000 is County funds. When completed, the project
will ensure the protection of over 400 homes, 20 public commercial and
industrial facilities and the VRE railroad.
A notice to proceed was issued to the contractor, Environmental Quality
Services, on April 26 and community residents will see a new temporary
road being created to access the Lake south of Bonnie Brae Elementary
School.
The contract is expected to take approximately 120 days. Parents are
encouraged to remind their children that this is a construction site and
should avoid entering the site limits, identified by orange fencing, at
any time. During the project, pedestrian trails will be detoured and
there will be construction traffic in and around the project site.
A Friendly Reminder to Clean Up After Your Dog
Spring is here and with the warmer weather, more of us are coming out of
our cocoons and enjoying the outdoors again. We take more walks, and
often take them with our dogs. We have beautiful lakes and trails in the
Braddock District that add to the pleasure of getting outside for
exercise. But it is never a pleasure to find waste from someone else’s
animal in your front yard or on the bottom of your shoe.
All of us can help with this. When you walk your dog, use bags to pick
up after your animal and take extra bags to share with others. Some
neighborhoods have places where you can grab a bag and where others can
bring their extra bags.
And remember, there are people who are afraid of dogs, so please, keep
them leashed and under control. If you really feel like they need to be
able to run, keep them in a fenced yard or take advantage of the one the
several dog parks in the county.
Those of us with dogs need to remember that the Fairfax County Code
specifically addresses issues such as keeping animals on a leash and
picking up animal waste. Section 41.1-2-4 addresses the leash law,
stating that no dog shall run unrestricted other than under certain
specific circumstances. Section 41.1-2-6 states “The owner or custodian
of any dog shall be responsible for the removal of excreta deposited by
such dog on the property of another, including public places.” Failure to
abide by either of these is a Class 4 misdemeanor and can mean a fine of
$250.
Let’s enjoy the beauty of the Braddock District by walking our dogs
responsibly and treating our neighbors courteously.
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