This site relates to Watershed Management Framework activities in the watershed, or basin unit, of the Kentucky River. In this basin unit, the Kentucky River Authority funds technical support, guidance and volunteer monitoring. Much of this work is conducted through the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute.
Basin Coordinator - Each basin unit has a basin coordinator. These work for either the Division of Water or partner organizations and are generally overseen and funded by the Division of Water. The Kentucky River basin also has an Upper Kentucky River basin coordinator for June 2004 to May 2007.
Focus Watershed Information - The focus watersheds are watersheds selected by the Watershed Steering Committee as areas for focused restoration and protection efforts and resources.
- Background Information: This link provides a summary of issues and information for this focus watershed.
- Updates and status reports: The links below are summaries of reports provided to the Watershed Steering Committee on status and other information related to activities in the focus watersheds.
Dix River Watershed Project - The Division of Water is contracting with Third Rock Consulting to do extensive monitoring, TMDL development and watershed planning in the Dix River watershed. In particular, there is focused effort in the Herrington Lake, Clarks Run and Hanging Fork watersheds. A watershed council has been formed to help direct the monitoring and planning process.
2003-2004 Kentucky River Basin Monitoring Plan - Environmental monitoring for the second five-year watershed cycle began in 2003. The first cycle of monitoring focused on obtaining, for the first time, a snapshot of conditions of Kentucky’s waters, especially wadeable streams. Most local, state and federal agencies in Kentucky with monitoring responsibilities cooperated with the watershed monitoring program. In the second cycle, monitoring focused more on identifying sources of water quality problems. (PDF document)
2001 Kentucky River Basin Management Plan - Program plans and framework strategies for the basin, with summaries for all 97 watersheds and action plans for the three priority watersheds.
2001 Priority Watersheds - Information on the priority watersheds identified through the watershed framework process.
2000 Kentucky River Basin Assessment Report - This report was published in August 2000. The assessment report and watershed rankings reflect data compiled during the watershed management cycle to date (1997-2000). Data assessments are those of the Report to Congress for the year 2000 and reflect data collected by state agencies during 1998-1999.
1998-1999 Kentucky River Basin Monitoring Plan The Kentucky River basin cycle began in July 1997. Public participation has been encouraged throughout the process, allowing citizens and organizations to stay informed and have an active role. This document provides a summary of the strategic monitoring plan and the results associated with the 1997-1998 sampling effort in the Kentucky River basin. (PDF document)
1997 Kentucky River Basin Status Report - An overview of the basin compiled in 1997.
Watershed Viewer - Links to a clickable basin map. More detailed information is revealed by "zooming" into the map (with the "magnifying glass"). "Identify HUC11" produces links, at the bottom of the map, to a table and narrative information about each subwatershed.
Assessments
- Water Quality Report to Congress (305b Report), 2002 - This report was prepared by the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) for submittal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fulfill requirements of Section 305(b) of the federal Water Pollution Control (or Clean Water) Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-500), as subsequently amended. Section 305(b) of the act requires states to assess and report current water quality conditions to EPA every two years. (PDF document)
- List of impaired waters for Kentucky (303d List), 2004 - Pursuant to Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, the state of Kentucky has developed a list of waterbodies presently not supporting designated uses as required by 40 CFR 130.7(b)(4) and needing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development. (PDF document)
Volunteer Monitoring Connection
- Water Watch - Volunteers protecting Kentucky waterways.
- KWRI - The Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute supports watershed activities in the Kentucky River basin.
