About this Project

The Pope Branch Stream Restoration project is a major environmental initiative on the Pope Branch tributary of the Anacostia River, located entirely within Washington, DC. The 1.6-mile stream flows through the Penn Branch and Twining neighborhoods, where impervious surfaces have caused severe streambank erosion and channel incision. These conditions exposed and compromised a sanitary sewer line in the upper reaches of the stream valley. In response, DCWATER partnered with the District Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to deliver a joint sewer line and stream restoration project. Completed in December 2016, the restoration employed regenerative stream design to elevate the stream bed by 3 – 4 feet, reconnecting it with its historic floodplain and enhancing long-term stability.

AEG supported the project by completing a FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) application. Our tasks included reviewing the previously approved Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR), updating HEC-RAS hydraulic modeling using as-built plans and post-construction survey data, and running FEMA’s cHECk-RAS tool to validate the model. AEG mapped the revised floodplain and compiled all FEMA MT-2 forms and documentation required for the LOMR submission. These efforts ensured that the updated floodplain data accurately reflected the restored stream conditions and supported regulatory compliance.

AEG’s technical contributions helped document the hydrologic improvements achieved through the restoration, which included the installation of pools, riffles, and cascades to stabilize the stream during high-flow events. The project also enhanced riparian habitat by planting 663 native trees, 170 shrubs, and over 100 aquatic plants.