Kentucky Division of Water 2015 Annual Report available online

The Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) announces the release of its 2015 Annual Report. This annual report includes highlights and accomplishments for the following branches within the division:

Compliance and Technical Assistance Branch

Resource Planning and Program Support Branch

Surface Water Permits Branch

Water Infrastructure Branch

Watershed Management Branch

Water Quality Branch

Recreational Advisory for Cannelton and McAlpine pools of Ohio River lifted after results below advisory level

The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) are removing the recreational use advisory for the Cannelton and McAlpine pools of the Ohio River, effective immediately. Results from recent samplings by DOW indicate the levels of microcystin toxin occurring in this area of the river are below the advisory threshold for recreating in the water.

The recreational advisory issued for this section of the river above the Cannelton Locks and Dam to the Markland Lock and Dam on Sept. 18, 2015, was prompted by the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the river. The advisory was issued when water sampling results showed levels above the DOW recreational threshold of 20 parts per billion of microcystin toxins. The recreational advisory remains from the Markland Lock and Dam to the West Virginia state line. The DOW and DPH are continuing to coordinate with states along the river and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) to monitor conditions on the Ohio River.

Harmful Algal Bloom recreational advisory issued for the Ohio River and tributaries

Advisory area stretches from W. Va. Line to Markland Dam

The Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) are re-issuing a harmful algal bloom (HAB) recreational advisory for the Ohio River, extending the advisory downstream from the West Virginia state line to the Markland Dam located 3.5 miles downstream from Warsaw, Ky.

Water swallowed during recreational activities in this body of water may increase the risk of gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Skin, eye and throat irritation and/or breathing difficulties may also occur after contact.

Many of Kentucky’s streams showing improved water quality; New exceptional waters identified

The Division of Water, as part of its triennial review of water quality standards, is proposing to add 20 new waterbodies as outstanding state resource waters (OSRWs) and 13 new waterbodies as “Exceptional” waters. The number of waterbodies included as OSRWs and “Exceptional” waters are good indicators of water quality improvement. The list of OSRWs, which include the highest quality waterbodies in Kentucky and those waterbodies that support threatened and endangered species, has grown from 157 OSRWs in 2008 to 423 designated OSRWs in 2015. The list of “Exceptional” waters, including Reference Reach Waters has also grown, from a list of 118 waterbodies listed as having “Exceptional” water quality and aquatic habitats, to 254.

Kentucky water quality standards regulations identify six designated uses for surface water to meet the policy and

Division of Water, Public Health offer tips for a safe and healthy summer enjoying Kentucky’s water resources

This holiday weekend, many Kentuckians will flock to one of the many rivers, lakes and creeks across the state to boat, fish, swim, canoe or otherwise enjoy the water. The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) offer these safety tips to help you safely enjoy Kentucky’s abundant water resources.

Over the past several years, concerted efforts have been made to improve the quality of Kentucky’s natural waterways. Many federal, state and local programs have been implemented to reduce water pollution from various sources, including those that are industrial, residential and agricultural in nature. Reducing pollutants is critical to providing safe recreational opportunities for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Kentucky’s drinking water continues excellence in quality, reliability, annual report shows

Increase in health-based violations result from rule changes and reporting issues

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 30, 2015) – Data from Kentucky’s 446 public water systems shows they consistently produce excellent quality water and are nearly always in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water requirements, according to the Kentucky annual
Drinking Water Report. The report summarizes the compliance data and status of public water system compliance monitoring results.

The Safe Drinking Water Act rules require Kentucky’s public water systems to regularly test produced water for more than 100 contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates and other chemicals. The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) reviews the

Division of Water plans removal of western Ohio River from impaired waters list

New methods of mercury testing show safe levels of mercury in fish

Recent enhanced analysis of fish collected in the Ohio River indicates mercury levels in these fish are lower than previously estimated.

As a result of this more accurate data, the Kentucky Division of Water is proposing to remove from the list of impaired waters approximately 370 miles of the Ohio River from Louisville to the confluence with the Mississippi River. This stretch of the Ohio River has historically been listed as impaired because mercury levels in fish tissue previously exceeded the Kentucky water quality standard for fish tissue.

Kentucky Division of Water unveils new water health portal

Provides detailed information on the health of Kentucky waters

Kentuckians can now find out if their favorite spot on the water is safe to swim or if the fish there are healthy enough to eat with a few clicks of the mouse.

Kentucky’s Water Health Portal — http://watermaps.ky.gov/  — is an interactive Web-based map application that enables users to learn about the health of the streams in their area and across the Commonwealth. 

Division of Water Opens Comment Period on Impaired Waters List

Comments will be taken for 60 days

The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) has opened a 60-day comment period on the draft 2014 list of impaired waters, as required by the Water Pollution Control Act of 1972.

The 2014 impaired waters list is based primarily on results from monitoring performed between April 2010 and March 2012 in the Green River and Tradewater River basin management units (BMUs).  Monitoring and assessment was performed on 384 stream segments, representing 2,185 stream miles in the Green River BMU and 75 stream segments, totaling 346 stream miles in the Tradewater River BMU.  Publicly accessible reservoirs (lakes) were monitored and assessed from those two BMUs of focus.  The report also incorporates assessment data and results from monitoring that occurred during this reporting cycle outside of the BMUs of focus, thus providing a statewide update of monitoring results.

Watershed-based restoration efforts bring improvements to Townsend Creek water quality

A segment of Townsend Creek was recently removed from the state list of impaired waters.  This stream segment, which is located in a sub-watershed of the South Fork Licking River in northern Kentucky, formerly failed to support its designated use as primary contact recreation and is an excellent example of how watershed-based approaches can improve water quality.

Data collected by the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) in 1999 indicated that the mouth of Townsend Creek did not meet Kentucky’s water quality standard for fecal coliform.  The division identified that agriculture and the loss of riparian habitat were two of the primary activities affecting the quality of the stream.