Bull Run Watershed Exploration

The Bull Run Watershed Bull Run, a perinatal tributary of the Occaquan river located in Loudoun, Prince William, and Fairfax counties, Virginia. The approximately 28 mile stream includes a watershed that covers approximately 50,000 hectares land. Streams are useful and beautiful natural resource features that provide a number of economic and ecological benefits. One major benefits of streams is the removal of stormwater, however during storm events rivers, streams and even small tributaries can flood their banks and damage infrastructure and buildings. This post will review Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps in order to identify areas pron to flooding and determine if land use decisions are properly considering flood risks.      The 100 Year Flood FEMA  is an agency of the  United States Department of Homeland Security tasked with  coordinating  the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of loca

INTRODUCTION      Agrilus planipennis commonly called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) due to the emerald green color of the adult beetle, and its life cycle which involves the boring into and out of ash trees ( Fraxinus sp.) . EAB was first discovered in Michigan in 2002, but is believed to have established a breeding population within the United States by 1990. Though no specific introduction site or vector it is believed that the EAB was introduced by commercial packing material by boat or plane. Today, EAB is found commonly throughout 35 states/provinces of the U.S. and Canada. Since its establishment and spread EAB has been responsible for the deaths of millions of ash trees and to a lesser extent the fringed trees. In response the U.S. and Canada are committed to stopping spread, managing infested areas, and maintaining healthy ash populations.   LIFECYCLE      The EAB life cycle is similar to that of many insects with individuals transitioning from egg, larva, pupa, to