Science & Research

The IRMA Data Store gives you easy access to tens of thousands of documents, data sets, and other information resources related to national parks. Filter results by "George Washington Memorial Parkway" to find information about this park.

To make good decisions, park managers need a solid scientific understanding of the resources in their care and the way people use those resources. Several studies are underway in the park right now, including water quality monitoring, an inventory of insects, and analysis of traffic on the Mount Vernon Trial. You can read more about these projects below.

Mount Vernon Trail Use

Trail counters are positioned at eleven locations along the Mount Vernon Trail. They use a laser and sensor to count of the number of times an object crosses the path of the sensor. The trail counters are about three feet off the ground, so they mostly register objects like people, cyclists, and large mammals.

Summary of 2014 Data

* Counters at these locations did not collect data for part of the year.

Hourly data for each location are available by request. Call 703-289-2500 for more information.

Counts at connecting trails are available from BikeArlington.

MS4 Program Plan

Virginia Stormwater Management Act, the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Permit regulations, and the Clean Water Act regulate discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) as point source discharges. Publicly owned systems such as storm drains, pipes, ditches or swales collecting or moving water to surface waters must obtain permit coverage and develop a stormwater management program.

MS4 programs must be designed and implemented to control the discharge of pollutants from their storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable in a manner that protects the water quality in nearby streams, rivers, wetlands and bays.

The General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small MS4s regulates stormwater discharges from MS4s, such as, Department of Defense facilities. The general permit requires small MS4s develop, implement, and enforce a program that includes the following “minimum control measures:”

1) Public Education and Outreach

2) Public Involvement and Participation

3) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

4) Construction Site and Stormwater Runoff Control

5) Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Development on Prior Developed Lands

6) Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Please use the contact information below to contact George Washington Memorial Parkway regarding stormwater issues or to report any suspected illicit discharges, improper disposals, spills, or land-disturbing activities within the GWMP area.

Contact: Robert Mocko, GWMP Environmental Specialist.
Phone: (1-703-289-2540) or e-mail us.
You may also contact the U.S Park Police at (1-202-610-7500) or the National Response Coordination Center (1-800-246-4335).

Reports

Virginia MS4 Permit and Coverage Letter for 2018 to 2023
2019 GWMP MS4 Annual Report
Consolidated TMDL Action Plan (Updated 2019)
Daningerfield Island Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Procedures
Storm Water Outfall Dry Weather Screening Inspection Form
2018 GWMP MS4 Annual Report
GWMP Good Housekeeping Procedures
Stormwater Map
GWMP Consolidated TMDL Action Plan 2017
Municipal Small Town Sewer System Report 2015Municipal Small Storm Sewer System Report 2014

GWMP Program Plan 2013
Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan 2017
GWMP 2016 MS4 Annual Report

Water Quality Monitoring

Park staff monitor stream health based on benthic macroinvertebrate populations, habitat assessments, water chemistry, and basic water quality parameters like temperature and stream flow. Data for Mine Run, Dead Run, Turkey Run, Pimmit Run, Gulf Branch, Donaldson Run, and Spout Run are available in yearly reports.

• 2006 Annual Report
• 2007 Annual Report
• 2008 Annual Report
• 2010 Annual Report