2009 Kentucky River Watershed Watch Results

What and when?

Herbicides in the Spring– 27 samples in May

Pathogens in the Summer– 128 Synoptic samples in July– 64 Follow-Up samples in Late July/Early

August

Chemicals & Nutrients in the Fall– 123 samples in September

NO Metals in the Fall

KRWW Sample #s (1999-2009)

Kentucky River Watershed Watch # of sites sampled/year

87

115

155166

207

157

202

248231

197176

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Where?176 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

Field Chemistry

Dissolved Oxygen– Aquatic Life Standard = 5 mg/L– 1% of stations had readings < 5 mg/L

pH– Aquatic Life Standard = 6 to 9– 2 readings < 6

K596-Eagle Creek, Owen Co. K628-West Fork Silver Creek, Madison Co.

Temperature– None greater than Aquatic Life Std. of 31.7C

HERBICIDES

HERBICIDESWhy 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.

2009 Herbicide ParametersSampled for 2 Herbicides in Spring 2009

– most likely time of year for herbicide application

Triazines- highly persistent in soil- EPA Drinking Water Standard=3.0 micrograms/L- EPA Acute Aquatic Life = 350 micrograms/L EPA Chronic Aquatic Life = 12 micrograms/L

2,4-D Common herbicide to control broadleaf weeds EPA drinking water standard (MCL) of 70 ppb

Herbicide Results

Atrazine • 6 detections• none exceeded water quality standards

2,4-D• No detections

% Atrazine Detections (1999-2008)

Triazine

0

20

4060

80

100

120

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Triazine

* Only once water quality standard exceedance at K501 (Eagle Creek in Owen County) in 2006 for Drinking Water Supply criteria.*

PATHOGENS

E. 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 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)59% > Swimming Standard

23 sites exceeded maximum detection limit(2,420 cfu/100 ml in central KY, 4,840 in eastern KY)

K626 – Potters ForkK50 – Benson CreekK52 – Benson CreekK94 – Lower Red RiverK95 – Red RiverK132 – West HickmanK184 – Wolf RunK191 – Otter CreekK305 – Town BranchK309 – McKecknie CreekK316 – North ElkhornK418 – West Hickman

K462 – Cardinal RunK464 – Wolf RunK466 – Wolf RunK467 – Springs BranchK468 – Wolf RunK469 – Beacon Hill Clvt.K471 – Vaughn’s BranchK508 – Calloway CreekK517 – Springs BranchK595 – West HickmanK627 – Hayes Fork

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

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

Follow-Up Pathogen Results84% > Swimming Standard

2009 Follow-Up Pathogen Results - 10 Greatest Readings

1

10

100

1,000

10,000

100,000

Boo

neC

reek

Roy

alS

prin

gs

Unn

amed

Trib Spr

ing

Wol

f R

un

Bau

ghm

anF

ork

Can

e R

un

Mud

dyC

reek

Joue

ttC

reek

Ott

erC

reek

Unn

amed

Trib

K646 K507 K264 K96 K307 K229 K05 K245 K266 K191 K244

Co

nce

ntr

atio

n (

cfu

/100

ml)

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

Percentage of KRWW Sites Exceeding Safe Swimming Standard for Pathogens

0

20

40

60

80

100

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

% of SynopticSites

% of Follow-UpSites

DRYWET

Pathogen Trends1999-2003 vs. 2004-2008

Conducted statistical comparison of the two 5-year periods

Many sites with inadequate data 3 sites with very significant improvement:

– K174 (South Elkhorn, Woodford Co.)– K198 (Ky River Pool 6, Woodford Co.)– K303 (Hickman Creek, Jessamine Co.)

2 sites with very significant worsening:– K085 (Glenn’s Creek, Woodford Co.)– K096 (Greenwood Spring, Woodford Co.)

Pathogen Trends1999-2003 vs. 2004-2008

Other sites with improvement: K54 (McConnell Springs, Fayette Co.) K105 (Blair Branch, Letcher Co.) K156 (Fourmile Creek, Clark Co.) K157 (Ky. River Boonesboro Beach, Clark Co.) K199 (Ky. River, Mercer Co.) K213 (Quicksand Creek, Breathitt Co.) K245 (Muddy Creek, Madison Co.) K249 (Muddy Creek, Madison Co.) K301 (East Hickman Creek, Jessamine Co.)

Pathogen Trends1999-2003 vs. 2004-2008

Other sites with worsening conditions: K05 (Cane Run, Scott Co.) K55 (Town Branch, Fayette Co.) K57 (Beals Branch Spring, Woodford Co.) K247 (Viney Creek, Madison Co.)

NUTRIENTS

NUTRIENTSWhy 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 Parameters

Nitrate (NO3-N) – Drinking Water Supply Std. = 10 mg/L– Aquatic Life Benchmark = 3.9 mg/L

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

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

Nitrate Results > 3.9 mg/L

2009 Nitrate Sampling Results - 10 Greatest Readings

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Clarks

Run

Glen

n's C

reek

Glen

n's C

reek

Glen

n's C

reek

Elkhor

n Cre

ek ?

Shann

on Run

Big S

ink C

reek

Beaco

n Hill

culve

rt

Town Bra

nch

Nit

rate

(m

g/L

)

Nitrate-N

DWSStandard10 mg/L3.9

mg/L

2006 High Phosphorus Sites2007 High Phosphate Sites

Phosphorus Results > 0.5 mg/L

2009 Phosphorus Results - 10 Greatest Readings

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Glenn's

Cre

ek

Glenn's

Cre

ek

Glenn's

Cre

ek

Elkhorn

Cre

ek

South

Elkh

orn ?

Cardina

l Run

Wolf R

un

Elkhorn

Cre

ek

Clark'

s Run

To

tal

Ph

osp

ho

rus

(mg

/L)

Phosphorus

Standard(0.5 mg/L)

Sulfate Results > 250 mg/L

2006 High Sulfate Sites2007 High Sulfate Sites

2009 Sulfate Sampling Results - 10 Greatest Readings

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Mills

tone

Cre

ek

Lost

Creek

Troub

lesom

e Cre

ek

Rockho

use

Creek

Rockho

use

Creek

Rockho

use

Creek

Quicks

and C

reek

Carr For

k

Quicks

and C

reek

Rockho

use

Creek

Su

lfat

e (m

g/L

)

Sulfate

Standard250 mg/L

Chemical Analysis

Chlorides Chlorine + Metals = Chloride Salts Drinking Water Supply Std = 250 mg/L Chronic Aquatic Life Std = 600 mg/L Acute Aquatic Life Std = 1,200 mg/L

Highest ‘09 Chloride Reading of 692 mg/L at K640 – Clark’s Run, Boyle Co.

Chemical Analysis

Conductivity Related to level of total dissolved solids Affects aquatic habitat and food

supplies Can serve as indicator of sewage input Ohio River Std = 800 micromhos/cmHighest ’09 Readings at K098-

Millstone Creek, Letcher Co., and K215, K216-Troublesome Creek, Breathitt Co.

2009 Sites of Concern

OVERALL WATER QUALITY:

K026—South Elkhorn Creek, Scott Co.(also listed in 2007 and 2008 for nutrients)

Pathogens, phosphorus

K085, K531—Glenn’s Creek, Woodford Co.Pathogens, nitrate, phosphorus

K463—Cardinal Run, Fayette CountyPathogens, phosphorus

K627—Hayes Fork, Madison CountyPathogens, dissolved oxygen 

2009 Sites of Concern

PATHOGENS:K050, K052—Benson Creek, Franklin Co.K094, K095—Red River, Estill & Powell Co.K132—West Hickman Creek, Fayette Co.K191—Otter Creek, Madison Co. (also listed in ‘07 and ‘08 for pathogens,

nitrogen, phosphorus)K316—North Elkhorn Creek, Fayette Co.K418—Unnamed Trib of West Hickman

Cr, Fayette Co.K462—Cardinal Run, Fayette Co.K466, K468—Wolf Run, Fayette Co.K508—Calloway Creek, Madison Co.

SULFATE/CONDUCTIVITY:

K098—Millstone Creek, Letcher Co.

K110, K111, K585, K586—Rockhouse Creek, Letcher Co.

(K585 also listed in 2008 for pathogens, sulfate)

K141—Carr Fork, Perry Co.

2009 Sites of Concern

Applying Your Data

Annual Sampling Report- Provided to KRWW Volunteers, Kentucky

River Authority, Kentucky Division of Water

Long Term Trend Reports– 5 Year Report– 10 Year Report

KRWW Web Site– www.krww.org

KRWW ONLINE DATABASEhttp://www.krww.org

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

Click on site or sites to see all historical data

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

Use “Measure Tool” to find distance between 2 points

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

Applying Your DataCitizen Action Plans

– Clark’s Run– Glenn’s Creek– Mallard Point Lake– Millers Creek– Muddy Creek– South Elkhorn Creek– West Hickman Creek

Presentations to Government Officials

KRA Watershed Grants (Up to $3000)

Kentucky River Authority Watershed 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 2010

Applying Your DataNonpoint Source (319) Projects

– Eagle Creek Straightpipe Abatement Project (Grant County)

– Cane Run Watershed Implementation Project– Dix River Watershed Plan (Clark’s Run and

Hanging Fork)– Wolf Run Watershed-Based Plan and Partial

Implementation– Red River Gorge Restoration and Watershed

Plan

Questions & Discussion

Anyone present have a 2009 Site of Concern? Is there any local watershed activity addressing the concerns?

Other questions about sampling results and their meaning?

KDOW progress with updating Watershed Watch volunteer database?