Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Project Final Report Watershed Plan For Crafts Colly, Sand Lick, And Dry Fork, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

The North Fork: Whitesburg Tributaries Watershed Plan, developed under this project, provides a path to improve waterbodies impacted by poor wastewater treatment, coal mining, and encroachments on floodplain by housing and roadways. Crafts Colly, Sand Lick, and Dry Fork are tributaries to the North Fork of the Kentucky River. They are located just north of the City of Whitesburg, in Letcher County, which is in the coalfields of southeastern Kentucky. The three watersheds encompass 18 square miles of primarily forested lands and about 30 miles of streams, most of which are entrenched. Because of the steep mountain terrain, most of …

Project Final Report Watershed Center Of Excellence, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

With the goal of providing a structured foundational background for watershed management to Kentucky’s watershed coordinators and other water quality professionals, the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute developed the Kentucky Watershed Academy, a six-module series of core training content. The modules address the following subject areas:

• Module 1: The Clean Water Act & Related Water Quality Laws

• Module 2: Water Quality Basics

• Module 3: Dealing with Data

• Module 4: Land Use Impacts & Related Best Management Practices

• Module 5: Likely Partners

• Module 6: Effective Communications

As a result of this project, a total of …

North Fork: Whitesburg Tributaries Watershed Plan, Letcher County, Ky, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

Crafts Colly, Sandlick, and Dry Fork are tributaries to the North Fork of the Kentucky River. The three tributaries are located immediately north of the North Fork of the Kentucky and flow southward into the river within or near the City of Whitesburg in Letcher County, Kentucky. Letcher County is found in the Appalachian coalfields of southeastern Kentucky.

To improve water quality in the Kentucky River, water quality impairments in the upper reaches of the watershed must be addressed. In focusing efforts in Crafts Colly, Sandlick, and Dry Fork, three headwater tributaries of the North Fork Kentucky River, pollution loading …

Community Visions For Nutrient Management For The Floyds Fork Watershed, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

This report presents the results of a stakeholder engagement process for the Floyds Fork Watershed in north central Kentucky. The report is meant to inform the local citizens of the watershed, as well as US EPA and the Kentucky Division of Water as part of ongoing watershed management activities within the watershed. The process implemented in this study are intended to provide insights into a range of perspectives and community preferences related to possible nutrient management strategies for use in the Floyds Fork Watershed.

Kentucky Nutrient Model Calibration Tutorial, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

This tutorial has been developed to illustrate how to calibrate the KYNM using two different example watersheds: 1) the Upper Chenoweth Run watershed and 2) the Middle Chenoweth Run watershed. Both models are provided with the KYNM Users Manual. The Upper Chenoweth Run does not contain any significant point sources, while the Middle Chenoweth Run watershed contains several point sources. Calibrating a model of a dynamic system is often not a simple linear process but an iterative one. The following discussion outlines “steps” in calibrating a model, but it must be understood that the phenomena being modeled are interconnected and …

The Kentucky Nutrient Model (Kynm), Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

The Kentucky Nutrient Model (KYNM) was developed in 2014 to provide the Kentucky Division of Water (KYDOW) with a simplified tool for use in developing nutrient based TMDLs and in evaluating different nutrient management strategies. This report provides a brief overview of the KYNM along with a discussion of the validation of the model against observed hydrology and water quality data, and a comparison of the model results against the results obtained by the LSPC model developed by Tetra Tech for the Floyds Fork Watershed.

Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute Center Of Excellence For Watershed Management Watershed Summit Summary Report, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

KWRRI Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Water Quality Trends In The North Fork Of Kentucky River Basin: Focus On Pathogen Impairment, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

This project consisted of analyzing existing water quality data for streams in the Upper Forks of Kentucky River Basin, with a particular focus on pathogen trends. According to the most recent 303(d) list of Kentucky waters, the majority of streams assessed in the Upper Forks of Kentucky River Basin are impaired for primary recreational contact as a result of pathogens. The state pathogen standard for primary contact recreation is expressed in a dual form which specifies that the 30-day geometric mean of fecal coliform counts not exceed 200 colonies per 100 mL (on a minimum of five samples) and not …

Assessment Of Water Quality Trends In The Upper Cumberland River Basin: Focus On Pathogen Impairment, Kentucky Water Resources Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

This project consisted of analyzing existing water quality data for streams in the Upper Cumberland River Basin, with a particular focus on pathogen trends. According to the most recent 303(d) list of Kentucky waters, the majority of streams assessed in the Upper Cumberland Basin are impaired for primary recreational contact as a result of pathogens. The state pathogen standard for primary contact recreation is expressed in a dual form which specifies that the 30-day geometric mean of fecal coliform counts not exceed 200 colonies per 100 mL (on a minimum of five samples) and not more than 20 percent of …

Diagnostic Watershed Model For Pathogen Speciation And Mitigation, Kentucky Water Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

This project was proposed to help satisfy the identified needs of the USEPA watershed initiative with specific application to pathogen problems in Kentucky and in particular the Eagle Creek Watershed which lies in the Kentucky River Basin. The overall goal of the project was the development of new tools for use in pathogen TMDL development.

Kentucky River Basin: Unified Long-Range Water Resources Plan. Historic Water Supply Plans Of The Kentucky River Basin, Lindell E. Ormsbee, Malissa Mcalister

KWRRI Research Reports

The Kentucky River Authority was mandated by regulatory statute 420 KAR I :030, Section 4 to develop a Unified Long-Range Water Resources Plan (ULRWRP) for the Kentucky River Basin. This summary document was written by the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute under a contractual agreement with the Kentucky River Authority in support of this plan. It addresses several required components of the ULRWRP, including:

• Acquisition and utilization of the Kentucky River Lock and Dam system;
• Construction, acquisition and control of projects and facilities;
• Regulation of flows and allocation of supplies;
• Basin-wide and specific local land and water conservation measures and …

Kentucky River Basin: Unified Long-Range Water Resources Plan. Executive Summary, Lindell E. Ormsbee, Malissa Mcalister

KWRRI Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Kentucky River Basin: Unified Long-Range Water Resources Plan. County Water Management Planning For The Kentucky River Basin, Lindell E. Ormsbee, Malissa Mcalister

KWRRI Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Kentucky River Basin Management Plan, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

KWRRI Research Reports

This report summarizes how agency activities will be coordinated in the Kentucky River basin during the fiver year cycle beginning in July 2002. It sets out the criteria and processes that guide state and federal programs to take particular actions.

Pride Water Quality Assessment Report: Iv. Nutrient Assessment, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

KWRRI Research Reports

The efficient utilization of federal funds in improving the water quality and aquatic habitat of the region requires a mechanism for assessing and evaluating the impacts of the proposed and ongoing projects as well as some mechanism for prioritizing the allocation of additional funds. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of these projects it is important to provide a formal monitoring and assessment program based on sound scientific principles. This report provides an initial 10 year baseline assessment of the existing water quality conditions in the 40 county PRIDE region for the purpose of evaluating the impacts of the PRIDE …

Impact Of Gravel Dredging Operations On Surface Water Quality In Streams In The Upper Cumberland Basin, Jeffrey D. Jack, Arthur C. Parola, Anna L. Curini, Randall Kelley, Mark N. French, D. J. Hagerty, William M. Sampson

KWRRI Research Reports

This is a report to the USEPA, Kentucky Division of Water and the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, focused on the biologic and morphological impacts of gravel mining in the upper Cumberland basin.

Pride Water Quality Assessment Report: Ii. Chemical, Biological And Habitat Assessments, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

KWRRI Research Reports

The efficient utilization of federal funds in improving the water quality and aquatic habitat of the region requires a mechanism for assessing and evaluating the impacts of the proposed and ongoing projects as well as some mechanism for prioritizing the allocation of additional funds. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of these projects it is important to provide a formal monitoring and assessment program based on sound scientific principles. This report provides an initial 10 year baseline assessment of the existing water quality conditions in the 40 county PRIDE·region for the purpose of evaluating the impacts of the PRIDE programs …

Pride Water Quality Assessment Report: Iii. Existing And Proposed Monitoring Network, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

KWRRI Research Reports

This document provides a recommendation for proposed sampling sites in support of the general water quality assessment of the 40 county PRIDE region. A general assessment of the associated environmental problems and programs in the region can be found in the companion report: PRIDE Water Quality Assessment Report I: Problems and Programs while the report PRIDE Water Quality Assessment Report II: Chemical, Biological and Habitat Assessments provides a 10 year baseline assessment of environmental conditions in the region as measured by indicators of pH, fecal coliforms, habitat assessment, and macro-invertebrate assessment.

Pride Water Quality Assessment Report: I. Problems And Programs, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute. University Of Kentucky

KWRRI Research Reports

This report provides an overview of the water quality problems and associated state and federal programs in the 40 counties that make up the PRIDE region. The 2000 Kentucky 305(b) stream assessment has identified over 1000 miles of impaired stream within the region. The major cause of pollution in the region is related to problems with pathogens. Much of these problems are related to straight pipes and failing septic and wastewater systems. It has been estimated that there are over 35,000 straight pipes and failing septic systems in the PRIDE region. A second major environmental impact in the region is …

1998-1999 Monitoring Strategy, Kentucky River Basin Management Unit, L. Ormsbee, G. Epp, E. Caudill, Lee Colten

KWRRI Research Reports

During the fall of 1997 and spring of 1998 about 40 individuals and more than 30 organizations and agencies provided input into the development of a monitoring strategy for the Kentucky River basin under the Kentucky Watershed Management Framework. In addition to the agencies that were able to commit resources to the monitoring effort, citizen input was sought in the design of the strategy. Citizen monitoring efforts are also providing valuable information in many portions of the state. The intent of the coordinated planning process was to carefully consider agency resources and capabilities, taking into account where and when each …

Use Of Algal And Macroinvertebrate Indicators To Assess The Impact Of Agricultural Practices On Surface Water Quality In The Mammoth Cave National Park Region, Kentucky, Jeffrey D. Jack

KWRRI Research Reports

The karst aquifer underlying the Mammoth Cave area supports a unique and diverse cave aquatic ecosystem as well as providing the principal source of drinking water for many local residents of the region. This unique and fragile ecosystem is surrounded by one of the most intensively used agricultural areas in the Commonwealth with more than 80% of the surrounding region used in beef, dairy, burley tobacco and alfalfa production. Agricultural practices resulting in run-off of pollutants into the aquifer via sinkholes and sinking streams have a pronounced impact on an important drinking water source and on the cave ecosystem. The …

Kentucky River Basin Water Quality Assessment Study, L. Ormsbee, L. Jarrett, B. Perkins

KWRRI Research Reports

The current report summarizes the work associated with the construction, calibration, and application of the CE-QUAL-W2 water quality model to the Kentucky River. In applying the model to the Kentucky River System, the primary objective was to assess the impact of the operation of low-level control valves on water quality of the Kentucky River. This was accomplished by modeling the impact of the valves for low flow conditions associated with the 1930 drought of record along with projections for the year 2020. The results of this study indicate that for the modeled scenario, the proposed valves can be used to …

A Review Of Research On The Kentucky River Ecosystem: Biota And Human Impacts, R. M. Waltman, R. J. Stevenson

KWRRI Research Reports

This report provides information about the water conditions in the Kentucky River Basin, through collection of previous studies.

Kentucky River Modeling And Monitoring Needs Assessment, L. Ormsbee, L. Jarrett, B. Perkins

KWRRI Research Reports

This report outlines the responsibilities of the Kentucky River Authority in the planning, operation, and management of river monitoring.

Development Of A Kentucky Cso Database, L. Ormsbee

KWRRI Research Reports

This report provides an overview of several products developed for the management of CSO data for the state of Kentucky. These products have been developed in fulfillment of the Memorandum of Agreement No. 13814 between the University of Kentucky and the Environmental Protection Cabinet. The developed products include: 1) an overall management structure, 2) a stand-alone data management computer program, 3) background maps for each CSO city, 4) a customized Access database management environment, 5) a computer program for automating monthly CSO discharge monitoring reports, and 6) a customized Arcview 3 project for visualization and management of physical CSO datasets.

Kentucky Watershed Priority Formula: Application Guidelines And Data Requirements, L. Ormsbee, Lee Colten

KWRRI Research Reports

This report presents a methodology for ranking and selecting individual 11-digit HUCs for subsequent development of detailed watershed management plans as part of the Kentucky Watershed Management Framework. The proposed methodology consists of two phases: 1) Prioritization and 2) Targeting. The prioritization phase is used to rank 11-digit HUCs on the basis of existing special protection areas and the existence or potential existence of designated use impairment. The prioritization is accomplished using a priority watershed formula developed especially for this purpose. The formula is intended to serve as an objective tool for compiling environmental indicators to rank watershedsand for use …

Development Of A River Basin Management Framework Using Gis And Watershed Modeling: Application To The North Fork Of The Kentucky River, L. Ormsbee, S. Yost, T. Stumbur, T. Bischoff

KWRRI Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Gis Linkage With Hydrologic Models: Application To The North Fork Of The Kentucky River (With Geo-Spatial Data Needs And Sources), T. Stumbur, L. Ormsbee

KWRRI Research Reports

This report focuses on links between GIS and hydrologic models and geo-spatial data needs and sources. The use and calibration of the hydrologic models reviewed in this paper are addressed by another report (see Bischoff, Yost, Ormsbee 1997.)

Part 1 of this report explains the general principles of a GIS database. It gives an overview of the Arc/Info and ArcView data models by providing a brief description of each spatial data format and explaining how spatial and tabular data are linked in a GIS environment. Part 1 also addresses the data compatibility issues related to projection, scale and resolution of …

Computer Modeling Of The North Fork Of The Kentucky River Using Swat And Basins, T. Bischoff, S. Yost, L. Ormsbee, T. Stumbur

KWRRI Research Reports

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible watershed models for use in the State of Kentucky's new watershed framework initiative and to apply the selected model(s) to the North Fork of the Kentucky River as part of an initial pilot project. SWAT and BASINS models were compared.

Modeling Transport Of Colloid-Bound Herbicides And Heavy Metals To Groundwater, Anastasios D. Karathanasis, R. E. Phillips, A. K. Seta

KWRRI Research Reports

Recent studies have suggested that contaminant transport to groundwater may be enhanced by association with colloidal particles. This study evaluated the role of water dispersible colloids with diverse mineralogical composition in co-transporting selected herbicides and heavy metals through intact soil columns. Colloid recovery in the eluents ranged from 45-90% for the herbicides and 10-60% for the heavy metals. The presence of colloids enhanced the transport of atrazine by 2-18%, and metolachlor by 8-30%. The corresponding increase for Cu and Zn was 2-150 and 5-30 times, respectively. For Pb, there was essentially no elution in the absence of colloids, suggesting nearly …