Public Works and Environmental Services

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
Joni Calmbacher
Director, Stormwater Planning

What is Stream Restoration?

Infographic: Floodplain, Streambank, Streambed, Pool, Run, Riffle, Channel and Riparian Corridors.
Floodplain, Streambank, Streambed, Pool, Run, Riffle, Channel and Riparian Corridors. Source: Texas Aquatic Science, Texas A&M

Stream restorations make the stream more like it was before all the buildings and roads were built. To do this, we need to understand how healthy streams work, what plants grow around them, and what animals live in them. Restoration involves slowing down stormwater, stabilizing streambanks with rocks and logs, planting vegetation, and reconnecting the stream to the flat areas around them, called floodplains.

Log Step Pools - Not To Scale
Log step pools are used to slow water down and create habitat features for wildlife.

Turkey Run at Truro before restoration
Turkey Run at Truro before restoration
Turkey Run at Truro with log step pools first year after restoration
Turkey Run at Truro with log step pools - first year after restoration
Turkey Run at Truro four years after restoration
Turkey Run at Truro - four years after restoration
Fairfax Virtual Assistant