Public Works and Environmental Services

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon - Fri

703-324-5500
TTY 711

12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 449, Fairfax, Va 22035

Shannon Curtis,
Chief, Watershed Assessment Branch

Popes Head Creek Watershed

overview map of watershed areaLocation
Popes Head Creek is a 19-square-mile watershed on the southern edge of Fairfax County that drains to the Occoquan River.

Major Streams and Tributaries
East Fork, Piney Branch and Castle Creek

Unique Features
This watershed is home to Hemlock Overlook Regional Park and the Audubon Naturalist Society’s Webb Sanctuary. Popes Head Creek is a major tributary of Bull Run and the Occoquan River, which provides drinking water to more than half of Fairfax County. This watershed is under the jurisdiction of Fairfax County, except in the Town of Clifton and a small part of the City of Fairfax

Improvement Opportunities
The plans identify areas of opportunity for implementing both structural and non-structural improvement projects such as stream restorations, stormwater facility retrofits, community education and stewardship, streamside buffer enhancements and installation of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). Proposed projects in the plans have recommended priorities. These lists should not be interpreted as specific implementation schedules or a guarantee that the project will be implemented through the planned Capital Improvement Program (CIP). A full list of active or completed Stormwater projects is available online on at Stormwater Improvement Projects or through Jade (Fairfax County's Comprehensive Mapping Application).

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