Loudoun County in mid-October begins a two-year stream restoration project with the goal of reducing Chesapeake Bay watershed pollutants while increasing wildlife habitat and improving water quality.
The River Bend stream runs between River Bend Middle and Potomac Falls High schools through the community of CountrySide Proprietary. The stream flows into the Potomac River, one of the five tributaries of the bay.
About 3,125 feet of stream will be restored as Loudoun County plants 600 trees, adds 6,000 stem cuttings into the stream bank, and introduces 5,000 sage and rush grass plugs.
Some existing trees will need to come down, but the county said most will be used in the restoration process to provide habitats for animals. Seeding along and above the stream banks will be done.
The county said the project will on a yearly basis eliminate more than 200 pounds of phosphorus and 500 pounds of nitrogen. Too much phosphorus and nitrogen is bad for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. They cause dead zones where there is little oxygen for fish and shellfish by feeding algal blooms.
In addition, the county anticipates the work will prevent more than 130,000 pounds of total suspended solids, such as sediment or particles, from reaching the Potomac River.
The pedestrian path north of Algonkian Parkway between Rutherford Circle and Chelmsford Court will be closed during the project.
Feature image of field work at River Bend, courtesy Loudoun County
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