Officials to Sign Rehabilitation Plan for Flood Protection

WHAT:
Royal Lake Dam Rehabilitation Signing Ceremony

WHO:
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly
Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Executive Anthony H. Griffin
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Chair Jean R. Packard
Virginia Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) officials
Additional federal, state and local officials

WHEN:
Monday, Sept. 25, at 9 a.m.

WHERE:
Board of Supervisors Conference Room
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax

BACKGROUND:
Royal Lake Dam (built in 1977) and five other dams were built between 1970 and 1985, as part of the Pohick Creek Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Project. This watershed project was the “first” of its kind, because it provided an innovative way to guard against flooding and property damage in a developing watershed. The project also required developers to install conservation measures for erosion and sediment control during this rapidly urbanizing phase.

For nearly 30 years, Royal Lake has helped relieve downstream flood damages. It also has provided optimal flood control, as well as improved water quality, wildlife habitat, recreational and aesthetic benefits. This federally assisted project was built by the Virginia Natural Resources Conservation Service in cooperation with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District and Fairfax County. Fairfax County has operated and maintained the dam and has been recognized for its efforts nationwide.

NRCS, in cooperation with the county and district, has developed a draft dam rehabilitation plan for Royal Lake. The plan includes the following rehabilitation items:

Realign the auxiliary spillway about 45 degrees toward the dam, so it directs water away from the existing townhouses.
Armor the auxiliary spillway with articulated concrete blocks, most of which will be covered with soil and grass.
Raise the training dikes using earthen embankments.

The lake will not be drained during construction. The top of the dam will not be raised. The walking paths that are affected will be relocated. Some trees will be removed to accommodate the new spillway alignment.

Complete rehabilitation plan details are available on the Virginia NRCS Web site at ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/VA/Programs/watershed_info/pohick_creek_4.pdf. The estimated total cost of the project is $3,059,000. The NRCS will pay 65 percent of the cost with the remaining cost being provided by Fairfax County. The NRCS has requested federal funding for this project during fiscal year 2007.

For more information, please contact Diane Hoffman with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District at 703-324-1433, TTY 711, Wade Biddix with the state Natural Resources Conservation Service at 804-287-1675, TTY 711, or Randy Bartlett with the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-324-5500, TTY 711.

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