2008 Kentucky River Watershed 2008 Kentucky River Watershed Watch ResultsWatch Results

What and when?What and when? Herbicides in the Spring

– 18 samples in May

Pathogens in the Summer– 169 Synoptic samples in late June– 51 Follow-Up samples in Late July

Chemicals & Nutrients in the Fall– 116 samples in September

Metals in the Fall– 46 samples in September

Where?Where?197 sites throughout Kentucky

River Basin

Mainly in Central Basin and North Fork Region

Poor site coverage in South and Middle Forks of Kentucky River, as well as Lower Kentucky Region

HERBICIDESHERBICIDES

HERBICIDESHERBICIDESWhy monitored?

– Potentially harmful to aquatic life and humans through drinking water

Where are they coming from?– Runoff from agricultural and residential

application

How can we minimize their presence in our waterways?– Apply only as absolutely necessary, follow

application instructions.– Maintain vegetation around and along waterbodies– Use recommended agricultural erosion control

practices.– Properly dispose of herbicide containers

(collection programs)– Do not dump leftover herbicide on ground, down

sink, or down stormwater drains.

2008 Herbicide Parameter2008 Herbicide ParameterSampled for 1 Herbicide in Spring 2008

– most likely time of year for herbicide application

Triazines– highly persistent in soil– EPA standard of 3.0 micrograms /L for

drinking water– 350 micrograms/L for acute aquatic life

criteria – 12 micrograms/L for chronic aquatic life

criteria

Herbicide ResultsHerbicide Results

Triazines detected at 2 sites, but neither exceeded water quality standards

K603 - Dry Run (0.21 ug/L)K603 - Dry Run (0.21 ug/L)

K605 – Elkhorn Creek (0.17 ug/L)K605 – Elkhorn Creek (0.17 ug/L)

K603

ElkhornCreek (K605)

PATHOGENSPATHOGENS

E. COLIE. COLIWhy monitored?

– Can indicate presence of other pathogens that may cause illness or infections in people.

Where are they coming from?– Failing septic systems, straightpipes, leaking

sewage lines– Inadequately treated discharge from municipal

sewage plants– Livestock (runoff from pasture or direct access to

waterbody)

How can we minimize their presence in our waterways?– Properly maintain septic systems.– Increase access to sewer systems.– Install fencing to keep livestock out of waterways.– Maintain vegetated buffers around waterbodies.

Pathogen ParametersPathogen Parameters

E. Coli– Swimming Standard of 240 cfu/100 ml

(instantaneous)

– Swimming Standard of 130 cfu/100ml (geometric mean of at least 5 samples in 30 days)

– Standards apply during Recreation Season from May 1 to October 31

Synoptic Pathogen Results (E. coli)Synoptic Pathogen Results (E. coli)43% > Swimming Standard43% > Swimming Standard

2008 Synoptic E coli Results - 10 Greatest Readings

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

Unn

amed

Trib

.

Spr

ing

Bra

nch

Unn

amed

Trib

.

Litt

le D

ryF

ork

Cle

men

sR

un

Kno

blic

kC

reek

Bea

con

Hill

Cvt

Tro

uble

som

e

Hic

kman

Trib

. T

oW

est

Hic

kman

K264 K517 K606 K481 K401 K235 K469 K216 K300 K418

2006 Synoptic Pathogen Sampling Results > 5,000 cfu/100 ml

Synoptic Pathogen Sampling Sites > 5,000 cfu/100 ml

Follow-Up Pathogen ResultsFollow-Up Pathogen Results78% > Swimming Standard78% > Swimming Standard

2008 Follow-Up E coli Results - 10 Greatest Readings

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

Un

na

me

dT

rib

.

Mu

dd

yC

ree

kT

rib

uta

ryW

.H

ickm

an

Cr

Wo

lf R

un

Hic

kma

n

Cra

mC

ree

k

Ro

ckh

ou

seC

ree

k

Ca

ne

Ru

nC

ree

k

KY

Rv

NF

k-P

err

y

Sp

rin

gB

ran

ch

K264 K244 K053 K468 K300 K484 K585 K005 K082 K517

2007 Follow-Up Pathogen Sampling Sites > 5,000 cfu/100 ml

Percentage of KRWW Sites Exceeding Safe Swimming Standard

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Per

cen

tag

e

% of SynopticSites

% of Follow-UpSites

NUTRIENTSNUTRIENTS

NUTRIENTSNUTRIENTSWhy monitored?

– Lead to algal blooms, which consume oxygen as they decompose bad for aquatic life

– Cause taste and odor problems in drinking water– Can cause “Blue baby” disease (or

methemoglobinemia)

Where are they coming from?– agricultural and residential fertilizer application– sewage and manure runoff

How can we minimize their presence in our waterways?– Only apply fertilizers as necessary – Properly maintain septic systems– Use recommended erosion control measures– Keep livestock out of waterways, properly

manage manure– Maintain vegetated buffers around waterbodies

Nutrient ParametersNutrient Parameters

Nitrate (NO3-N) – Drinking Water Supply Std. = 10 mg/L

Total Phosphorus– Unofficial KRWW Aquatic Life Std. = 0.5 mg/L

Sulfate– Drinking Water Supply Std. = 250 mg/L

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

Plant Protein Nitrogen

Nitrates NO3

Animal Protein

Nitrogen

Nitrites NO2Ammonia NH3

Atmospheric Nitrogen N2

Fecal Matter

Urine/Urea

Nitrate Results > 10 mg/LNitrate Results > 10 mg/L

2008 Nitrate Sampling Results - 10 Greatest Readings

02468

101214161820

K014 K026 K191 K341 K085 K531 K123 K529 K126 K224

KRWW Site ID#

Nit

rate

(m

g/L

)

Nitrate-N

Standard10 mg/L

Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle

Cells of Phytoplankton

Cells of Zooplankton

Inorganic

Phosphate

Particulate organic phosphorus

Sediment

Higher Life Forms

Dissolved organic phosphorus

Ortho-

Phosphate

2006 High Phosphorus Sites2007 High Phosphate Sites

2008 Phosphorus Results - 10 Greatest Readings

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

K026

K085

K556

K123

K341

K126

K531

K529

K191

K293

KRWW Site ID#

To

tal

Ph

osp

ho

rus

(mg

/L)

Phosphorus

Standard(0.5 mg/L)

2006 High Sulfate Sites2007 High Sulfate Sites

2008 Sulfate Sampling Results - 10 Greatest Readings

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

K216

K083

K536

K215

K111

K586

K585

K110

K103

K610

KRWW Site ID#

Su

lfat

e (m

g/L

)

Sulfate

Standard250 mg/L

HEAVY METALSHEAVY METALS

HEAVY METALSHEAVY METALSWhy monitored?

– High levels can be toxic to aquatic life or humans through drinking water

– Can interfere with industrial water uses

Where are they coming from?– Mining– Industrial discharges– Stormwater runoff from roads and parking

lots

How can we minimize their presence in our waterways?– Comply with discharge permit conditions– Use erosion control measures at mining sites

and other construction sites– Use stormwater management practices -

install retention ponds, vegetated filter strips around parking lots and along roads

Metal Parameters (28)Metal Parameters (28) Aluminum Antimony Arsenic Barium Beryllium Boron Cadmium Calcium Chromium Cobalt Copper Gold Iron Lead

Lithium Magnesium Manganese Nickel Potassium Selenium Silicon Silver Sodium Strontium Thallium Tin Vanadium Zinc

* Strikethrough = no detections

Metal Parameters with Standards (14)Metal Parameters with Standards (14)

DetectionsDetections * Barium

* Copper

* Iron

* Nickel

* Zinc

No DetectionsNo Detections

* Antimony* Arsenic* Beryllium* Cadmium* Chromium* Lead* Selenium* Silver* Thallium

Metals with Standards AND Detections (5)Metals with Standards AND Detections (5)

Metals Water Quality Standards

Greatest 2008 Result

Barium DWS < 1.0 mg/L UT of Neal’s Cr, K606 = 0.11

Copper WAH < 0.0012 mg/L DWS < 1.3 mg/L

UT of Springs BranchK459 = 0.05

Iron WAH < 1.0 mg/L UT of Neal’s Creek,K606 = 5.05

Nickel WAH < 0.158 mg/L Quicksand Cr.K214 = 0.005

Zinc WAH < 0.106 mg/L UT of Springs BranchK459 = 0.74

2007 High Metals Sites

2008 Sites of Concern

OVERALL WATER QUALITY:

K082 – North Fork Ky. River, Perry Co. pathogens, sulfate, metals (iron/zinc)

K216 – Lost Creek, Breathitt Co.pathogens, sulfate

K585 – Rockhouse Creek, Letcher Co.pathogens, sulfate

K606 – Unnamed Trib of Neals Creek, Lincoln Co.

Pathogens, nutrients, metals (iron/zinc)

2008 Sites of Concern

NUTRIENTS:

K026 – South Elkhorn Creek, Scott Co.(also listed in 2007 for nutrients)

K191 – Otter Creek, Madison Co.(also listed in 2007 for pathogens and nutrients)

2008 Sites of Concern

PATHOGENS:

K264 – Unnamed Tributary of Shallowford Creek, Madison Co. (also listed in 2007 for pathogens)

K300 – Hickman Creek, Fayette Co.

K517 – Spring Branch, Fayette Co.

METALS / SULFATE:

K214 – South Fork of Quicksand Creek, Breathitt Co.

2008 Sites of Concern

2006 KRWW Sites of Concern2007 Sites of Concern

Applying Your DataApplying Your Data Annual Sampling ReportAnnual Sampling Report

– Kentucky River AuthorityKentucky River Authority– Kentucky Division of WaterKentucky Division of Water

Long Term Trend ReportsLong Term Trend Reports– 5 Year Report5 Year Report– 10 Year Report10 Year Report

KRWW Web SiteKRWW Web Site– www.krww.org

KRWW ONLINE DATABASEKRWW ONLINE DATABASEhttp://www.krww.orghttp://www.krww.org

Zoom in past 1:500,000 to see site ID labelsZoom in past 1:500,000 to see site ID labels

Click on site or sites to see Click on site or sites to see allall historical data historical data

Use “Use “Area ToolArea Tool” to zoom to single site or ” to zoom to single site or group of sitesgroup of sites

Use “Use “Measure ToolMeasure Tool” to find distance between ” to find distance between 2 points2 points

Use “Use “Zoom to a LocationZoom to a Location” to zoom to a ” to zoom to a selected location (county, road intersections, selected location (county, road intersections, stream extents, etc.)stream extents, etc.)

Applying Your DataApplying Your Data Citizen Action PlansCitizen Action Plans

– Clark’s RunClark’s Run– Glenn’s CreekGlenn’s Creek– Mallard Point LakeMallard Point Lake– Millers CreekMillers Creek– Muddy CreekMuddy Creek– South Elkhorn CreekSouth Elkhorn Creek– West Hickman CreekWest Hickman Creek

Presentations to Government Presentations to Government OfficialsOfficials

KRA Watershed GrantsKRA Watershed Grants (Up to $3000) (Up to $3000)

Kentucky River Authority Kentucky River Authority Watershed Grant ProgramWatershed Grant Program

Grant offerings of up to $3,000 for watershed education, sampling, assessment, restoration projects

Applicants must be nonprofit organization, school, or local government

Applications will be accepted again in Fall ’09

Applying Your DataApplying Your Data 319 Projects319 Projects

– Ten Mile CreekTen Mile Creek

Public Participation in TMDL ProjectsPublic Participation in TMDL Projects– Eagle Creek Eagle Creek

PathogensPathogens

– South Elkhorn CreekSouth Elkhorn Creek– Cane RunCane Run– Clark’s RunClark’s Run

Pathogens, NutrientsPathogens, Nutrients

Eagle Creek Pathogen SamplingEagle Creek Pathogen Sampling

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

K3

18

K3

19

K3

21

K3

27

K3

28

K3

18

K3

19

K3

21

K3

27

K3

28

K3

18

K3

19

K3

21

K3

27

K3

28

K3

18

K3

19

K3

21

K3

27

K3

28

K3

18

K3

19

K3

21

K3

27

K3

28

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

E c

oli

Ge

om

etr

ic M

ea

n (

cfu

/10

0 m

l)

Year/Site ID#

Eagle Creek E coli Results (2004-2008)

Questions & DiscussionQuestions & Discussion

Anyone present have a 2008 Site of Anyone present have a 2008 Site of Concern? Is there any local Concern? Is there any local watershed activity addressing the watershed activity addressing the concerns?concerns?

Other questions about sampling Other questions about sampling results and their meaning?results and their meaning?

KDOW progress with updating KDOW progress with updating Watershed Watch database?Watershed Watch database?