DUMFRIES, Va. — Environmentalists will work to bring back a stream on the brink.
Next fall, Prince William County plans to spend $2 million to restore Dewey’s Creek – a small stream that flows for about a mile from U.S. 1 in Woodbridge to Quantico Creek in Dumfries.
At 6,400-feet long at a cost of $300 per restored foot, this is the largest stream restoration project the county has ever attempted. The greatest completed so far was a stream 1,200 feet long.
Dewey’s Creek is littered with debris, old TV sets and trash, and log jams. Because the stream water flow has shifted direction so many times, cables anchoring power lines to the ground now sit in the middle of the water.
Especially troubling is the condition of the ground at a culvert where the stream flows underneath U.S. 1. Soil along the stream bank is pulling away from the concrete and that could cause the culvert to become unstable. Trees that sit along the stream bank are already having a hard time staying rooted in the ground due to erosion.
“A lot of these [culverts] were born out of the best intentions, but was we find after years of research, it shows us the ways streams were designed to manage storm water, it’s no longer the best practice,” said Prince William Environmental Engineer Clay Morris.
Morris is leading the effort to restore the stream, and said Prince William is one of a handful of counties in the area using their own funds for stream restoration. Because the project is being handled “in house,” Morris’ team can begin working once the project has reached the 60-percent completion rate in the design phase.
The restoration effort will be broken up into four segments, and each has a different set of challenges.
Segment one will entail creating a new channel for the stream to flow through to get water away from power lines, then filling in older portions of the stream. They’ll also build a Newberry Riffle, as crews will add new rocks in the center of the stream to control water flow.
Segment two will see the addition of a Bankfull Bench, which actually lets water out of the stream bank in cases of heavy rainfall and flood.
Subsequent sections of the stream will see reforestation and other improvements.
Dewey’s Creek eventually spills into Quantico Bay, which as of late has been the focus of Dumfries officials who want to fight an invasive underwater plant, Hydrilla. While officials have urged dredging Qauntico Bay to rid the waterway of the weed, there are no plans to in place to do so.
The restoration could take about a year to complete.
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Icy Conditions Possible Wednesday Night – A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Prince William County from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday, with freezing rain and sleet expected. VDOT crews are treating roads, but travel may be hazardous. Limit travel, prepare for icy spots, and stay updated on changing conditions.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.
Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.
County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.
For the first time, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for an exclusive interview with Potomac Local News as she begins her second term. In a candid conversation, she addressed the city’s stance on immigration enforcement, the future of development in downtown Manassas, the impact of potential state and federal funding cuts, and her vision for the next four years.
What’s next for Manassas? Will taxes go up? How will the city navigate potential financial challenges? And what’s her take on the now-canceled Route 28 Bypass project?
Get the full story in tomorrow’s edition—only on Potomac Local News. Stay tuned!
The Northern Virginia real estate market is shifting, with demand growing in Prince William, Stafford, Manassas, and Fredericksburg, outpacing Fairfax County. Mark Worrilow, a real estate expert with Fathom Realty, attributes this to affordability, improved commuting options, and enhanced quality of life. Homebuyers find better value in these areas without sacrificing convenience. Inventory is rising, offering more options for buyers, though competition remains strong. Interest rates have stabilized, leading more buyers to enter the market. Worrilow emphasizes the importance of working with an experienced realtor to navigate these trends and make informed real estate decisions in this evolving market.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
