Pimmit Run is a
[U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data]
The National Map
accessed August 15, 2011 stream
A stream is a continuous body of water, body of surface water Current (stream), flowing within the stream bed, bed and bank (geography), banks of a channel (geography), channel. Depending on its location or certain characteristics, a strea ...
in
northern Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...
that runs from
Fairfax County to the
Potomac River
The Potomac River () is in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and flows from the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia to Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. It is long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography D ...
at
Chain Bridge in the Arlingwood neighborhood of
Arlington.
Description
Pimmit Run forms south of
Leesburg Pike (
State Route 7), in
Idylwood, Virginia
Idylwood is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlan ...
, near
George C. Marshall High School. The run flows underground until it crosses
Leesburg Pike, then flows openly past
Pimmit Hills. Originally, the part of the run south of
Leesburg Pike flowed above ground as well, but development gradually forced it underground. The portion of the stream that borders Pimmit Hills was widened and lined with concrete in the early 1970s to prevent flooding.
From Pimmit Hills, Pimmit Run flows northeast through Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park and then under the
Dulles Toll Road into Devon Park and Chesterbrook Gardens neighborhoods. Pimmit Run continues on its northeastern course meandering through Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park. At Westmont, the stream is joined by Little Pimmit Run before paralleling the
George Washington Memorial Parkway
The George Washington Memorial Parkway, colloquially the G.W. Parkway, is a limited-access road, limited-access parkway that runs along the south bank of the Potomac River from Mount Vernon, Virginia, northwest to McLean, Virginia, and is maint ...
and flowing southeast into
Arlington. The stream parallels Chain Bridge Road as it bisects the Arlington Bluff and empties into the Potomac just downstream of the bridge.
The stream was named for
John Pimmit, who in 1675 was an overseer for William Fitzhugh (1651–1701). Pimmit was naturalized a citizen in 1679. He died by drowning in February 1688, on the Potomac River, near the mouth of the stream which was named after him.
Park Information
Pimmit Run is a Fairfax County Park Authority Stream Valley, meaning visitors of the park are required to follow rules established by the Fairfax County Park Authority. These rules include:
* No Motorized Vehicles (dirt bikes, ATV's, UTV's, etc.)
* Park Closed at Dark
* No Alcoholic Beverages (Any alcoholic beverage in any container is strictly prohibited)
* Pets Must Be on a Leash and Handlers Must "Scoop the Poop"
* No Camping (With the exception of parties of 2 or less) or Open Fires (Controlled, small, campfires are permitted as long as they are handled properly)
* No Dumping or Littering
* No Golfing
Tributaries
Pimmit Run's tributaries are listed from its headwaters to its mouth.
*Bridge Branch
*Burke's Spring Branch
*Saucy Branch
*Bryan Branch
*Little Pimmit Run
*Stromans Branch
According to the
Geographic Names Information System
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is a database of name and location information about more than two million physical and cultural features, encompassing the United States and its territories; the Compact of Free Association, asso ...
, Pimmit Run has also been known by the following names.
*Pimmet's Run
*Catfish Run
*Upper Spout Run
See also
*
List of rivers of Virginia
This is a list of rivers in the U.S. state of Virginia.
By drainage basin
This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries, arranged in the order of their confluence from mouth to source, indented under each larger stream's nam ...
References
External links
Pimmit Run Trail
{{authority control
Rivers of Virginia
Rivers of Fairfax County, Virginia
Rivers of Arlington County, Virginia
Tributaries of the Potomac River