Scott’s Run Nature Preserve will temporarily close due to a blockage in the wastewater pipes, Fairfax County announced. It will close on Monday, February 17, with no set date for when it will reopen.
Contractors for the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) will be working to remove a blockage from the county’s wastewater siphon system. This infrastructure moves wastewater across the Potomac River, through Carderock National Park, and into DC Water’s Potomac Interceptor in Maryland.
Contractors will access the Scott’s Run wastewater vaults. “This emergency work is essential to maintaining uninterrupted service and preventing potential wastewater overflow into the Potomac River,” a news release from DPWES said.
All of Scott’s Run, including all trails and the east and west parking lots, will be closed. The county estimates that the work may take up to eight weeks to complete.
This is the second phase of a repair that began last year. In March 2024, Scott’s Run closed for about six weeks to remove sediment from the pipes and repair the valves. An inspection had flagged that two of the three pipes were non-operational.
When it closed for the first time, the county indicated that it would close again for the second phase.
While Scott’s Run is closed, the county encourages people to take advantage of the Park Amenity Locator and Trail Buddy to find alternate hiking spots.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority
