The Kentucky Nutrient Model (KYNM)

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

Community Visions for Nutrient Management for the Floyds Fork Watershed

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

Project Final Report Watershed Center of Excellence

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 70 presentations with 44 hours of content were developed, including 11 activities and 24 presentations provided by external partners. Workshops were piloted through in person and virtual weekly webinars, from 2018 to 2020, with feedback being used to refine materials. A total of 41 PowerPoint presentations with speaker notes and 24 PDFs of presentations developed by external partners were made available for public access via the KWRRI website, www.research.uky.edu/kentucky-water-resources-research-institute/kentucky-watershed-academy, as well as 10 supplementary resources. A total of 61 recorded videos of presentations were also made available through YouTube. In addition to the six training modules, the Kentucky Watershed Forum was held to expand and enhance the network of assistance available to coordinators by offering the opportunity to interact with and learn from the numerous water quality professionals in various sectors from throughout the state. The Kentucky Watershed Forum was held October 26, 2018, at the Fayette County Extension Office with 69 participants in attendance from 40 different organizations. The agenda for the full day forum was divided into 5 sessions: 1) welcome and keynote addresses, 2) river basin reports, 3) information exchange, 4) water issue panel, and 5) roundtable sessions and reports. As a result of the forum, summary reports of the status of each of Kentucky’s major river basins were developed as well as summaries of tips and follow up items for each of the roundtable discussions. In support of the forum, two major resources were generated. The Kentucky Watershed Organization Directory lists key information from 44 organizations, including mission statement, focus, contacts, major water-related goals and priorities, and other data. The Water Organizations of Kentucky poster provides a snapshot of state land use maps for key water-related characteristics and provides contact information for numerous organizations. Together, the training and networking opportunities advanced the professional capacity of the watershed coordination and management community in Kentuck

Assessment of Water Quality Trends in the North Fork of Kentucky River Basin: Focus on Pathogen Impairment

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 more than 20 percent of samples should exceed 400 colonies per 100 mL (KAR, 2002). Historical monitoring data were utilized to assess fecal coliform concentrations and to evaluate the level of success of previous and ongoing projects in the basin. These projects are being funded and implemented through Section 319(h) of the EPA Clean Water Act, Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, the USCOE 531 wastewater program, and the Kentucky Wastewater Program to reduce the level of pathogens in the basin. The assessment utilized historic monitoring data obtained from four different sources: 1) the KYDOW ambient water quality network, 2) the KYDOW focused sampling network, 3) the Kentucky Watershed Watch network, and 4) the University of Kentucky monitoring network. The evaluation involved the analysis of the combined data sets using standard statistical measures to assess pathogen trends and project impacts. Land use patterns were documented to help identify likely pathogen sources, and areas of BMP implementation were examined for correlation with any water quality improvements. Decreases in fecal coliform concentrations were noted for several individual sampling sites throughout the basin and for the aggregated data from the entire basin considered together. The project was coordinated by the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI) at the University of Kentucky and involved staff from the KWRRI as well as faculty and students from the Department of Civil Engineering. The project was coordinated with TMDL personnel associated with the Kentucky Division of Water

Project Final Report Watershed Plan for Crafts Colly, Sand Lick, and Dry Fork

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 the houses are constructed adjacent to the stream with roadways crisscrossing streams frequently. Most of the watershed area is unsewered and failing septic systems and straight pipes are a source of bacterial contamination for waterways. The riparian corridor of most (87%) streams have been impacted to some level by development, with heavy riparian impacts on over half of the streams. Coal mining has left its mark on the waterbodies, with 13 legacy mine drainage sites, two large coal refuse piles, and three active mines. Monitoring conducted in support of this project found that warmwater aquatic habitat use was either non-supported or partially supported by these streams. E.coli measurements showed the primary contact recreational use (swimming) was not supported at any stream, and the secondary contact use (wading / fishing / boating) was impacted in the headwaters of Dry Fork and along Crafts Colly. These impacts are due primarily to human wastewater, causing elevated nitrogen and phosphorus as well. Surveys identified severe erosion on 1.32 miles of streams, primarily related to channelization due to road construction or placement. Stream pH was neutral, but iron and cadmium concentrations were above regulatory criteria for aquatic life use in several locations. Survey results showed that the community believed the greatest impacts to water quality are from failing septic systems or straight pipes, trash in streams, and mining runoff. The community also believed water quality improvements were important and supported funding for this need. Low income levels and lack of property ownership does discourage some implementation action, and some fear lingers that the economy will be affected if water quality issues are publicized. The watershed implementation plan identifies 57 best management practices including ten for bacteria impacts, six related to trash, seven related to mining impacts, 21 related to education and outreach, and 13 related to habitat improvement and erosion controls