Stream and stormwater updates: Broad Branch’s bad report card, Linnean trail work, and the late arrival of some of our favorite seasonal neighbors

Broad Branch stream health

Alicia Ritzenhaler, environmental protection specialist at the DC Department of Energy and the Environment, says the stream has a new water quality sensor. The data it collects is used to score the stream’s health. DOEE’s Stream Condition Index assigns A-F letter grades, and the Broad Branch report card not looking good. The stream has F grades in aquatic life and hydrology, a D in human health (because of high E. coli readings), a C in water quality, and scores a D overall. You can explore the Stream Condition Index and see other streams’ readings here.

Linnean outfall restoration

This DOEE project addresses stormwater flows and erosion from the Linnean Avenue dead end south of Albemarle Street. The gully leading into Soapstone Park became a construction zone starting in February. Now, DOEE’s Matt English says, the bulk of the construction activities are now complete. The remaining work includes removing invasive plants and watering newly planted vegetation.

This looks like a logjam. That’s intentional.

Some of the new plantings.

Soapstone sewer rehabilitation

For months, DC Water has blocked Albemarle Street between 32nd and Connecticut Avenue for the final phase of the sewer pipe relining project. But recently, the construction fencing extended into the crosswalk, forcing pedestrians into Connecticut Avenue traffic. Paul Harrison, chair of the ANC 3F Streets and Sidewalks Committee, contacted DC Water and requested that the crosswalk be cleared again. As of June 3rd, it was.

The blocked Albemarle crosswalk on June 2nd, and the cleared crosswalk on June 3rd.

Linnean Park Boy Scout project

The Linnean trail has a new staircase courtesy of Scout Troup 666, who installed it on May 31st under the guidance of John Burwell and Mitch Baer, founding members of the Linnean Park Partnership (full disclosure: I’m also a founding member). Baer, an ANC 3F commissioner, is also a trail supervisor for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, the volunteer organization that maintains Rock Creek Park trails. Burwell writes:

“Life Scout Henry Perry led his troop for his Eagle Scout service project May 31st to remove the stone steps and replace them with a set of terraced steps. This project was reviewed on site by DPR Landscape Architect Shayda Musavi and together we established a plan. Jim Woodworth of DOEE arranged to fund the materials for this project.”

Aspiring Eagle Scout Henry Perry reviews the plans; the stone steps are removed. (John Burwell photos)

The new steps.

Linnean Park’s frogs are late, but they’re back

Frogs have finally returned my favorite frog pond.

The pond is next to the wooden bridge in Linnean Park.

I had not been hearing their familiar croaks or seeing them floating with their faces perching above the water, and I was concerned. But Sunday morning in the drizzle, I could see three frogs hanging out there, and I let out a big sigh of relief. I hope I begin to see and hear lots more.

I had mentioned my concern about the frogs to DOEE’s Matt English, who’s been overseeing the Linnean outfall project mentioned above. He later called to say he went to the stream to check it out, and found frogs and large tadpoles. Needless to say, this was beyond the call of duty. His assurances were much appreciated.

I also got an email from Rese Cloyd, the associate director of DOEE’s Fisheries and Wildlife Division. She relayed from Marco Carvello, a DOEE fish and wildlife biologist, that he has “noticed a decline in frog and toad calls and presence at the sites he’s been visiting this spring (including [the June 9th] week in Rock Creek Park near Pinehurst Branch).” Cloyd went onto mention that Tess Moore, who is with the DOEE wetlands team and works with the FrogWatch project at Kingman and Heritage Islands, is “finally hearing some calls after a few silent weeks.”

“It is possible that the drier late winter/early spring we were having – up until the big rains that came in around mid-May – meant that our amphibians got a later start than usual,” Cloyd wrote.

Better late than never. I must admit I am much relieved to find that my buddies have returned.