Gulf Branch
Encyclopedia
Gulf Branch is a stream
in Arlington County
, Virginia
. From its source southwest of the Gulf Branch Nature Center, Gulf Branch flows on a northeastern course and empties into the Potomac River
within the Federal parklands of the George Washington Memorial Parkway
. Gulf Branch is surrounded predominantly by forests.
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
in Arlington County
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. From its source southwest of the Gulf Branch Nature Center, Gulf Branch flows on a northeastern course and empties into the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
within the Federal parklands of the George Washington Memorial Parkway
George Washington Memorial Parkway
The George Washington Memorial Parkway, known to local motorists simply as the "G.W. Parkway", is a parkway maintained by the U.S. National Park Service. It is located mostly in Northern Virginia, although a short section northwest of the Arlington Memorial Bridge passes over Columbia Island,...
. Gulf Branch is surrounded predominantly by forests.
Parks Along Gulf Branch
- Gulf Branch Natural Area (Arlington County Parks and Recreation)
- George Washington Memorial Parkway (US National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceThe National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
)
Attractions Along Gulf Branch
- Gulf Branch Forge
- Robert Walker Log House
- Gulf Branch Pond
- Molly Ross Rising Relics (outdoor art display)
- Gulf Branch Nature Center (features exhibits on local wildlife and local Native American history)
- Potomac River Trail (parallel with the stream, begins across from the Gulf Branch Nature Center)
- Potomac Palisades (includes a 30 foot drop in the stream just prior to its confluence with the Potomac)
- Potomac Heritage Trail (perpendicular to the stream, crosses between the Palisades and the Potomac)
Roadways Across Gulf Branch
- Military Road
- George Washington Memorial Parkway