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.

 
In the News
Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve Restoration :The Baltimore District and the National Park Service (NPS), George Washington Memorial Parkway, are working on a project to restore up to 100 acres of freshwater tidal marsh within the 485-acre Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve in Fairfax County, Virginia, which is just across the Potomac River from the National Harbor.
 
Loading results...
    Tags: ps v36 n1
     

    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

    Location Count
    Mile 0 (Mount Vernon) 249,070
    Mile 2 (Vernon View) 183,759
    Mile 7 (Dyke Marsh) 408,797
    Connector (Four Mile Run)* 103,260
    Mile 16 (Lady Bird Johnson Park)* 70,780
    Mile 18 (Theodore Roosevelt Island)* 284,656

    * 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

     
    Map of the Parkway showing where all the outfalls are located on the north section.
    North GWMP Outfall Map

    NPS

     
    Map of the Parkway and where the outfalls are located in the South District.
    South GWMP Outfall Map

    NPS

     

    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.

    Last updated: July 1, 2022

    Park footer

    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    George Washington Memorial Parkway Headquarters
    700 George Washington Memorial Parkway

    McLean, VA 22101

    Phone:

    703 289-2500

    Contact Us