Early fall saw Lakeport continue the work begun over the summer to mitigate possible future stormwater damage resulting from flooding in the swale behind 1944-1952 Way:
- Volunteers at Lakeport’s Fall Workday did a great deal to improve the situation. Please check out the list of those who participated in the “Thanks to Volunteers” article in this issue and express your appreciation to those who worked so hard:
- One group of volunteers continued the earlier work that Joe Walter and John Janowski had done in the rock swale behind 1950, 1948, and 1946 Lakeport Way by moving rocks and removing silt that had accumulated in the section of the swale behind 1952 (there was so much dirt we weren’t sure there was a rock swale beneath it).
- In the process, a small catch basin was uncovered in the swale (a similar one had been discovered earlier behind 1946) and tested. We were happy to see that water ran from the catch basin into a storm drain on the Lakespray hill.
- Two stacked pressure-treated 4x4 pieces of lumber were anchored to the ground between the north end of the top coir log and the back fence at 11112 Lakespray Way and reinforced with river rock to prevent water that is supposed to go into the coir log terraces from escaping around the coir log and flowing down into the rock swale.
- Volunteers used dirt removed from the swale to raise the area between the coir log and the fence and graded it down from the new lumber to the depression behind the coir log, which was deepened. Pond pebbles and some larger rocks were added at the bottom of the slope, and dirt was added next to the side fence at 11112 and graded away from the fence.
- Meetings were held with a soil scientist at the Fairfax County Soil & Water Conservation District and RA’s Watershed Manager to get their advice. Both were impressed with work done by Lakeport volunteers. A couple of contractors were also asked for suggestions.
- Northern Sea Oats were planted to retain soil, and the area between the top coir log and the back fence at 11112 Lakespray was mulched.
- A task force has been formed, has written an RFP, and is obtaining proposals from contractors to rebuild the swale and to redirect water on the hill between11110 and 11112 Lakespray.
In addition to the stormwater mitigation efforts described above, another group of volunteers at the Fall Workday removed weeds and brush from the Lakeport property on the hill between the RA path and Sunrise Valley sidewalk and expanded the cleared area to reduce competition with a nearby redbud, generating 10 bags of debris in the process. Lakeport’s Little Library was also painted.
The fall installation of new plants included the following:
- Two Eastern redbuds on the outside of the fence to the South Lakes Drive side of the entrance to Lakeport as replacements for two white pines removed from the other side of that fence
- Two Nellie Stevens hollies on Lakespray to fill in open spaces to block sights, sounds, and smells from South Lakes Drive (photo in top right)
- Two yews near the entrance mailboxes to replace invasive mahonias removed by volunteers during the Spring Workday.
- Five new wax myrtles were installed at the south end of Lakespray Way to replace plants that have died there (after amending the soil so this doesn’t happen again).Other warrantied plants were replaced by Complete Landscaping in the pollinator garden and at the entrance.
- Warrantied shrubs were replaced by Meadows Farms in Triangle Park, near the rain garden, near the Lakespray mailbox, and along the RA path to the pool.
And please remember that owners and residents are not allowed to remove, add, or prune plants in common areas without the permission of Lakeport’s Landscape Committee. We also ask that you consult with us before paying to have branches overhanging your property trimmed or removed.
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