Watershed Management In Kentucky
Kentucky boasts 40,409 square miles of surface water in 13 major drainage basins. Kentucky’s water serves over four million residents and countless others, as Kentucky has 849 miles of river bordering other states. With 55% of the state underlain by karst topography, watershed management in Kentucky is important both on the surface and underground.
The Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) is the primary state agency charged with protecting and managing Kentucky’s water resources. KDOW is a lead agency in Kentucky’s Clean Water Action Plan, which is in response to the President’s 1998 Clean Water Action Plan vision of watershed restoration and protection through cooperative approaches. Watershed coordinators in each basin execute the Kentucky Watershed Management Framework.
Conditions in Kentucky
The KDOW and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide information on the conditions of Kentucky’s water resources, including impaired waters and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs).
Resources and Programs
The concept of watershed management has become increasingly prevalent in statewide programs over the past decades. Statewide research has given insight into the dynamics of a watershed, while extension programs have taken the mystery out of watersheds by presenting information on identifying and managing the watershed in which we live. Watershed perspectives have been implemented in various courses at the University of Kentucky (UK), which will encourage a new generation of watershed management. Outreach programs through the UK College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program address a variety of water-related topics. The outreach programs are based upon the latest research findings and assist individuals in protecting their personal water supplies and the water resources of the state.
Texas A&M University has established programs designed to provide watershed management assistance. Below are some key links to information and resources available to assist you.
Extension Outreach
The UK College of Agriculture is home to the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension Service offers a variety of programs related to watershed management, often in cooperation with the Cooperative Extension Program at Kentucky State University. Major programs focused on watershed management are described below.
- Kentucky Agricultural Watershed Awareness Program (AWAP)
The purpose of AWAP is to implement a comprehensive and credible education and assessment program for Kentucky’s agricultural watersheds. The two major goals of AWAP are to raise public awareness and to collect water quality information on a watershed scale. Information gathered by voluntary surface water sampling will be used to educate local residents about water quality in their community.
AWAP has published 10 news articles in the local newspaper of the Mocks Branch/Spears Creek watershed. Topics included basic watershed information, household water issues, and agricultural water quality. - Kentucky Water Awareness Month (KWAM)
Kentucky Water Awareness Month is celebrated each May. Each winter, a packet containing fact sheets, activities, and project ideas is sent to each county office. Topics have included watershed awareness, drinking water safety, storm water protection, and agricultural water quality. - Kentucky Master Water Educator Program
The Kentucky Master Water Educator Program operates by watershed, and is designed to engage interested community volunteers in water-related activities. Volunteers selected to participate in the program receive approximately 24 hours of training, then give back to the program through volunteer service in their communities. - Project WET
In Kentucky, Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is coordinated through the Cooperative Extension Service. The Project WET curriculum materials provide a number of activities focused on understanding watershed dynamics and managing watersheds. Two to three Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) 6-hour trainings are offered each year. Both formal and non-formal educators learn how to teach interactive water-related activities. In addition, facilitator trainings are offered periodically around the state to expand the facilitator network.
Scientific Research
- Scientific research is the basis for development of new technologies to improve watershed management. Researchers at Land Grant Universities work to develop these new technologies and evaluate their economic benefits. The UK Water Quality Research and Education website has information about research that assesses water quality conditions across the state and which investigates the influence of agricultural practices on water quality in Kentucky. Some examples of major research efforts in Kentucky include:
The University of Kentucky’s Robinson Forest contains three entire watersheds. The forest is used for research and teaching, and has hosted many forested watershed studies. - The Kentucky Water Research Institute manages watershed activities in the Kentucky River Basin under the sponsorship of the Kentucky River Authority. They have been involved in a number of projects and studies in the watershed.
College and University Education
The University of Kentucky offers multiple courses that explore the theme of watershed management. These courses are offered in the following departments: