SAMPLING
The following types of sampling are possible through Watershed Watch:
INTRODUCTORY SAMPLING - enables you to analyze aquatic chemistry and collect a water sample for laboratory assessment of E. coli, nutrients and metals
HABITAT AND BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT- enables you to assess your stream's ability to support aquatic life
LAKE MONITORING - enables you to make observations of lake conditions and help with the tracking of possible harmful algal blooms
4H YOUTH STREAM TEAM - trains youth as citizen scientists who can investigate local stream conditions and assists them with the completion of a related community service project
Further details and training resources for each of these programs can be found by clicking here.
How to Report a Concern
Watershed Watch Volunteer samplers are critical to protecting Kentucky's water resources because they are often the first to notice related concerns or threats. Our samplers are out and about, familiar with normal creek conditions, and have the training to recognize when conditions are deteriorating.
Regulatory agencies depend on conscientious citizens reporting problems when they find them, so that they can respond promptly to address and limit the damage. While stream conditions naturally fluctuate, there are instances when you may consider alerting the Kentucky Division of Water.
Click here for guidance on reporting a problem.
kentucky river authority watershed grants
In 2003, the Kentucky River Authority initiated a Watershed Grant Program to provide financial assistance to local groups interested in engaging in watershed education, management or water quality sampling activities.
These watershed grants from the Kentucky River Authority have provided much-needed funding assistance for local efforts to improve water quality conditions throughout the Kentucky River Basin. Further, the projects funded by the grants help inspire community interest, education and enthusiasm for continued watershed initiatives.
Click here to see examples of KRA Watershed Grant projects.
Connecting Community and water
The pages on Bluegrass Greensource's Watershed-Based Education Site contain resources for families, homeowners, and teachers to explore and learn more about local watersheds and how to improve them.
The site offers information about resources that Bluegrass Greensource promotes throughout Central Kentucky to engage homeowners in hands-on projects to improve their own watershed, along with grant opportunities to help fund best management practices to improve water quality.
Click here for more info.
Other Helpful Resources:
For WWKY Samplers:
Watershed Watch Informational Brochure - please feel free to use this if you want to help explain and promote the organization!
Fondriest Environmental Learning Center - provides an in-depth explanation of water quality parameters
WikiWatershed Model My Watershed - a watershed modeling web application that enables citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, educators, and students to better understand land use implications to water quality
General Water Info:
Kentucky River Basin Map - The Kentucky Geological Survey developed this detailed map of the basin with informative photos and statistics.
USEPA's How's My Waterway - Search by an address to find information about the condition of your local waters, based on data that states, federal, tribal, local agencies and others have provided to the USEPA.
Kentucky Water Health Portal - water quality information provided by the Kentucky Division of Water in a map-based format
Kentucky Watershed Academy - this online training course provides presentations for watershed coordinators and others related to the Clean Water Act, Water Quality Basics, Dealing with Data, Land Use Impacts and Related Best Management Practices, Likely Partners and Effective Communications
Kentucky Watershed Viewer - an ArcGIS-based watershed research tool
Kentucky Waterways Alliance - a nonprofit organization focused on promoting networking, communication and mutual support among groups, government agencies, and businesses working on waterway issues
Kentucky Watershed Planning Guidebook - provides a step-by-step process that Kentucky communities can use to create an effective watershed plan that enables groups to work together to improve the waterways they appreciate and use