Strawberry Run Stream Restoration

The Strawberry Run Stream Restoration project involves the restoration of approximately 900 linear feet section of stream traveling through Fort Williams Park off of Duke Street. This restoration will complement the downstream portion of the stream which was restored in 2010.
Page updated on Jun 28, 2022 at 11:39 AM

Project Overview

The Strawberry Run stream corridor is highly disturbed with severe erosion in various locations along the stream, including exhibiting evidence of downcutting with abandoned meanders approximately 3 feet higher than the current stream bed. In addition, significant amounts of broken concrete were observed in the channel, where it approaches and runs roughly parallel to Taft Avenue. Restoration is necessary to reestablish a stable pattern and profile in the stream. Restoring this portion of the stream will create a cohesive restored ecosystem corridor. This restoration will help prevent pollution (sediment and phosphorous) associated with erosion from being delivered downstream.

A downstream portion of Strawberry Run was restored in 2010.

Strawberry Run Conditions photo

Project Updates

City Council directs staff to pause the Taylor Run and Strawberry Run proposed stream restoration projects

At the April 2021 Legislative meeting, City Council directed staff to pause the Taylor Run and Strawberry Run proposed stream restoration projects and collaborate with the Environmental Policy Commission on alternatives to natural channel design stabilization and restoration techniques used in the proposed design. Council directed staff to continue work on delivering the Lucky Run project. Finally, City Council directed staff to perform on-site soil sampling for all three projects to determine nutrient concentrations for use in pollutant reduction calculations for comparison with the default values in the expert panel report that have been used to calculate pollution reduction for the proposed projects. 

Comparing the results of the pollutant reduction calculations based on the on-site soil sampling analyses versus those based on the default values from the earlier state guidance highlights the variability that can occur based on the data sets. This also highlights inexactness of the watershed modeling and stream restoration approach and the evolving nature of the science, which is being discussed by work groups and committees at the state and regional levels. While the City has confirmation that the use of the default rates for calculating pollutant reductions is consistent with the state guidance and applicable to these projects, the decreased results using the on-site soil sampling results raise some questions. Staff's collaboration with the EPC  is aimed at discussing these results, along with other related topics. 

While pollutant reduction credits are an important factor, they are not the sole driver for pursuing these projects. The objectives of stabilizing the stream corridor - including protecting at-risk sanitary and storm infrastructure and nearby private property - are part of the broader issues in this collaboration. 

City authorizes consultant to perform soil collection, sampling, and analysis tests for Taylor Run, Strawberry Run, and Lucky Run

The City of Alexandria has authorized its consultant to perform soil collection, sampling, and analysis tests for Taylor Run, Strawberry Run, and Lucky Run. The field work for all three steams took place the week of July 25, 2021. Additionally, a consultant will be inspecting the previous stream project completed on the downstream portion of Strawberry Run during the Taft Avenue development to document issues that have occurred.

On April 27, 2021 during a City Council legislative work session, City Council instructed staff to perform soil analysis tests on all three streams (Taylor Run, Strawberry Run, and Lucky Run) using the updated Expert Panel protocol. Council also instructed staff to pause the planned stream restoration projects at Taylor Run and Strawberry Run for further evaluation, but proceed with Lucky Run while the soil analysis occurs. Council also directed staff to evaluate alternatives to natural channel design in coordination with the Environmental Policy Commission (EPC). Finally, Council instructed staff to return as soon as possible with a planned schedule and summary of impacts.

Urban stream restoration identified as a potential strategy

In 2015, urban stream restoration was identified as a potential strategy for the City to achieve compliance with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL ("pollution reduction diet"). This pollution reduction diet is a regulatory requirement passed down from the federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to Alexandria through the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Strawberry Run was identified as a top-ranking stream restoration project based on the Phase III Stream Assessment completed early 2019 by a contractor in consultation with the City’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (TES), Department of Project Implementation (DPI), and Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA). Phase III refers to the third assessment with the first assessment completed in 2004 and the second completed in 2008. In total, 2,786 linear feet of streams were assessed throughout the City. TES presented the results of this assessment to the Park and Recreation Commission September 20, 2018 (view the presentation) and also hosted a public meeting on December 5, 2018. More information on the stream assessment is available on the City’s Stream Restoration web page.

The Strawberry Run stream restoration will help the City comply with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and is identified in 2019 Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan. The Strawberry Run stream restoration is identified as a mid-term action item in the City’s Environmental Action Plan 2040, adopted by Council in 2018, which stemmed from the Eco City Alexandria initiative which launched with the Eco City Charter in 2008.

Project Funding

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) awarded the City a competitive $800,000 Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) grant for partial funding of this project. Currently, the total estimated project cost is $1.6 million. The SLAF grant program was initiated by the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide financial support to municipalities implementing projects to reduce stormwater pollution as the new Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirements were being passed down through the MS4 permits.

Impact on Trees

In total 353 trees were surveyed around the project site and, of those, 36 of them are considered to be 'notable' trees, as defined by Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA), Natural Resources. The project designers worked with RPCA and adjusted the stream alignment to reduce the total amount of trees removed from the original plan of 206 down to 89. This adjustment also lead to a decrease in removal of 'notable' trees with 13 slated for removal, down from 34. Of note, these 13 'notable' trees to be removed are impacted by stream erosion and are currently at risk for negative health impacts. The project currently consists of replanting 1,030 native tree species (3-gallon container). The planting mix also includes 350 shrubs (1-gallon container) including American Elderberry, Buttonbush, and Spicebush; 5,100 "live stakes" (3-4 foot) of Silky Dogwood, Smooth Alder, and Black Willow; and 548 2-inch plugs of rushes and sedges.

Community Engagement

The City welcomes all feedback concerning stream restorations and ways to reduce water pollution and achieve the Chesapeake Bay goals. All comments received through January 30, 2021,  will be reviewed and answered by the Strawberry Run Stream Restoration Team which includes several City departments (TES, DPI, and RPCA) and Consultants. Comments and responses will be made available on this webpage. Based on community feedback, the City works with the Consultants to adjust project plans accordingly. 

There continues to be public community meetings to provide general information about the project. Meeting information is included below. 

Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings (Stream Restorations and Assessment Results) - Sep 2019 and Sep 2018

Meeting to share outcome of the Phase III Stream Restoration study, prioritization of top two projects (Taylor Run and Strawberry Run) discuss concept ideas and receive input from the Commission prior to application for grant funding.

View the presentation

Public Meeting: Phase III Stream Assessment and Potential Stream Restoration Projects - Dec 2018

Meeting to share outcome of the Phase III Stream Restoration study, prioritization of top two projects (Taylor Run and Strawberry Run) discuss concept ideas and receive input.

View the presentation

Public Community Meeting - Nov 2019

No meeting materials available

Strawberry Hill Association - Jan 2020

No meeting materials available

Seminary Hill Association - Feb 13, 2020

View the presentation

Virtual Public Community Meeting - Oct 28, 2020

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the City did not hold public meetings in the spring/summer. 

Draft Engineering Plans

The draft engineering plans are provided in response to community feedback received. These plans are not for construction purposes and should be considered as a "draft". The plan set is included as five (5) separate documents due to file size limitations but in total represent the complete set.

Strawberry Run Aerial Map