Water
This project will develop data management strategies and geospatial analyses of water chemistry and flow data to improve understanding of spatial patterns in spring behavior to assist Grand Canyon National Park with developing a long-term monitoring strategy.
These data management and geospatial analyses will be broadly applicable to groundwater systems around the world and provide a step forward in understanding and monitoring aquifer behavior.
PIs / co-PIs | Ben Tobin |
Funding | National Park Service |
Total Budget | $74,770.00 |
Start Date | 8/1/2018 |
End Date | 7/31/2021 |
Issue | Existing data management structures prevent broad scale analyses required to effectively monitor, manage, and mitigate impacts on resources. This project aims to develop those structures and provide an effective path forward for data-driven monitoring strategies to assist managers with future decision making. |
Objectives | 1. Develop a long-term monitoring strategy that allows for monitoring of all spring groups while minimizing field time. 2. Utilize and further develop the Kentucky Speleological Society cave database for application in Kentucky and the Grand Canyon. |
Methodology | Data management techniques will build on existing ArcGIS frameworks to improve both management and analysis of data. Additional techniques for field sampling of water chemistry will be developed. Both geospatial and multivariate statistical approaches will be used to visualize and analyze the data. |
Benefits | The modified database will allow for greater hydrologic interpretation of caves. With the completion of the database, work will also include filling in data gaps with field data collected during fieldwork at Grand Canyon. |
Results / Products | A functional spring water quantity and quality database. A strategic plan for spring monitoring based on existing data A complete cave resource database |
Geologic mapping of surficial deposits is being conducted under the congressionally funded STATEMAP program in selected parts of the state. This is a continuing annual program that has one or more published geologic maps as its product. Areas of focus have been the western Kentucky Ohio River valley and its tributaries, eastern Kentucky coal fields, and landslide-prone areas of northern Kentucky.
PIs / co-PIs | William Andrews, Matt Massey |
Funding | U. S. Geological Survey STATEMAP program |
Total Budget | $146,639.00 |
Start Date | 7/16/2018 |
End Date | 7/15/2019 |
Issue | Geologic mapping efforts of KGS are currently focused in an area prioritized by the Kentucky State Geologic Mapping Advisory Committee (SGMAC) as needing detailed surficial geologic mapping to meet societal needs. The proposed area is situated in a geologically unique area that spans three physiographic provinces, which will also provide the opportunity to compare and contrast mechanisms of sediment deposition, Pleistocene geomorphology, and hazard assessment. This mapping also supports the long-range goals identified by the SGMAC of completing mapping along the I-65 corridor south of Louisville metropolitan area. |
Objectives | For 2018-19, KGS mappers will complete new surficial geologic maps for the Big Spring, Colesburg, Cravens, Flaherty, Fort Knox, Lebanon Junction, Pitts Point, Samuels, and Vine Grove 7.5-minute quadrangles in west central Kentucky. |
Methodology | The KGS mapping team will use a combination of traditional field methods and digital terrain analysis to complete the project. Field work typically includes components of landform observations, sample collection for lab analyses, and collection of core samples where deemed necessary. Digital analysis relies heavily on the statewide LiDAR coverage, using various derivative maps to guide interpretation and field work. |
Benefits | This mapping will augment our understanding of the nature and distribution of residuum, colluvium, alluvium, and relict Pleistocene glaciofluvial sediments in the Outer Bluegrass, Knobs, and Mississippian plateau regions of Kentucky. This increased awareness of geologic materials will have utility for future studies of Quaternary landscape evolution and geologic history in the region, as well as improved understanding of ancient and modern geologic processes in the region. This in turn will support better geologic hazard assessments and geotechnical planning for construction projects. All of these will be useful to support responsible decisions for economic development of the area. |
Results / Products | Nine new 7.5-minute quadrangles in west central Kentucky. |
The Homeplace on Green River is a 227-acre farm in Taylor County being restored as a working farm to highlight the role of agriculture in modern life. This project will study the hydrogeology of the site.
PIs / co-PIs | Chuck Taylor |
Funding | USDA |
Total Budget | $70,641 |
Start Date | 9/13/2016 |
End Date | 12/31/2017 |
Issue | The water district needs the information to revise its current water-withdrawal permit and to improve the source-water protection plan for the spring. |
Objectives | Characterization of the karst hydrogeology of the area and the karst drainage charcteristics of the Homeplace site. |
Methodology | KGS staff will plan and conduct the field research components of the project, including installation of an aluminum flume, a stilling well, and data logger and telemetry equipment at on a spring channel on the site. Sinkhole drainage characteristics will be documented, and dye-tracing will be used to identify groundwdater flow directions and other data. |
Benefits | Evaluation of the effects and benefits of various cover-crop strategies and practices at Homeplace. |
Results / Products | A project report on all collected data, collection methods, and summarize the principle findings. |
KGS and the Hardin County Water District #1 will collaborate to monitor and improve knowledge of the discharge and field water quality characteristics of the Head-of-Rough Spring.
PIs / co-PIs | Chuck Taylor |
Funding | Ky. Cabinet for Energy and the Envilronment |
Total Budget | $49,999 |
Start Date | 9/13/2016 |
End Date | 12/31/2017 |
Issue | The water district needs the information to revise its current water-withdrawal permit and to improve the source-water protection plan for the spring. |
Objectives | Installation of a continuous monitoring station to collect near-real-time data, assessing the variability in discharge, temperature, pH, specific conductance, and turbidity of the spring. |
Methodology | KGS will install, operate, and maintain a monitoring station for one year and collect spring discharge measurements at least monthly, to begin developing a stage-discharge rating curve for the spring. The continuous monitoring data will be collected at 15-30 minute intervals and uploaded automatically to a cloud-based server. Water district personnel will collect water samples monthly a raw water intake at the Pirtle Spring water treatment plant. Two public education events will be held at Hardin County high schools. |
Benefits | The water district will obtain information for its plan, KGS will have access to the information as a part of its statewide groundwater monitoring network, and public awareness karst hydrogeology and protection of karst water supplies will also be promoted. |
Results / Products | The water districts ability to rapidly assess local karst basin flow conditions, optimize water treatment processes, and optimize the use of Head-of-Rough Spring as a public water source will be improved. |
The KGS water quality laboratory performs analyses on samples from seasonal sampling events for the Kentucky River Watershed Watch program including basic water parameters, nutrients, pesticides, and metals. These data are incorporated into the Kentucky Water Watch data portal.
PIs / co-PIs | Jason Backus |
Funding | UK / Ky. Water Resources Research Institute |
Total Budget | $11,490 |
Start Date | 7/1/2016 |
End Date | 6/30/2017 |
Issue | Nutrients and Total Metals water quality monitoring for the Kentucky River and its watersheds. Herbicide and Pesticide testing occasionally occur in the Spring. |
Objectives | Test and report the water quality parameters outlined by the Kentucky River Watershed Watch group. |
Methodology | Coordinate, receive, test and report results of batches of surface water within the Kentucky River watershed collected by a network of volunteers, utilizing various wet chemistry and instrumental analysis techniques. Results compiled in a database and reports generated and distributed to administers. |
Benefits | This ongoing project monitors and reports the water quality of the Kentucky River watershed for the people of Kentucky. KGS also houses this data and serves it to the public and researchers via the KGS website. |
Results / Products | The KGS laboratory analyzes more than 100 surface water samples each fall and generates data for the Water Watch database. An analytical report of the analyses findings is also generated and distributed to KRWW administrators. |
The Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository was established in 1990 under mandate from the State legislature (KRS 151:053) to archive and disseminate groundwater data collected by State agencies, other organizations, and independent researchers. The repository is an online, interactive database that currently contains information for more than 95,000 water wells, 5,100 springs, and 50,000 suites of water-quality analysis (millions of individual analyte results). Users can also plot these data on various base maps, such as topographic, geologic, and aerial photography. Data can be easily downloaded in several formats.
PIs / co-PIs | Sarah Arpin |
Funding | Kentucky Geological Survey |
Total Budget | Internal Funded |
Start Date | |
End Date | Ongoing |
Issue | A centralized location for the most comprehensive data set of groundwater information, which can be accessed free of charge on a 24/7 basis. |
Objectives | Make groundwater data for water wells and springs across Kentucky readily accessible to the public. |
Methodology | Data from more than 15 agencies are included in the repository, but the largest contributor continues to be the Kentucky Division of Water, via its certified well-driller program. All water wells and monitoring wells drilled in Kentucky must be installed by a State-certified driller under this program, and the resulting data and scanned logs and records are uploaded to the repository once a quarter. Groundwater-quality data from approximately 60 wells and springs across Kentucky are collected through the Kentucky Interagency Groundwater Monitoring Network, and are included in these uploads from the Kentucky Division of Water. |
Benefits | The data in the repository benefit the general public, industry personnel, environmental geologists and engineers, regulatory agencies, State and local government agencies, land-use planners, farmers, agriculturists and soil scientists, construction engineers, architectural designers, geologists and hydrologists, drillers, research organizations, academic institutions, and students. Repository data can be used to map groundwater-quality parameters, estimate potential groundwater occurrence, assist with industrial, domestic, or public development activities, and in GIS applications. |
Results / Products | Many products have already been published, such as KGS Information Circulars and range-of-value maps for nearly 40 groundwater-quality parameters, web-based mapping of water-well and spring data, and legacy aquifer test results. Additional water-quality maps, reports, and web-based data will be produced and made available in the near future. The newly formed Kentucky Groundwater Observation Network will also generate data that will be disseminated online via the repository. |
To address a critical need for up-to-date information on groundwater recharge and availability, KGS is creating and operating a new statewide water-level observation network, called the Kentucky Groundwater Observation Network. Initially, the network will consist of 15 observation wells. Existing unused wells in various parts of the state are presently being inspected and tested for inclusion in the network by KGS hydrogeologists. Up to five new wells will be drilled in critical groundwater-use areas, such as the Jackson Purchase Region. Continuous water-level logging equipment is being installed in all network wells for long-term monitoring (longer than 3 years). Up to seven wells will also be equipped with cellphone-based telemetry to enable automatic data transmission and near real-time monitoring of water-level conditions.
PIs / co-PIs | Chuck Taylor |
Funding | Kentucky Geological Survey |
Total Budget | Internal Funded |
Start Date | 1/1/2015 |
End Date | Ongoing |
Issue | From the mid-1950s to the late 1980s, groundwater-level data were collected throughout Kentucky in a cooperative effort between USGS and KGS, using an observation network of mostly abandoned or unused water wells. Over the years, continual decreases in federal and State funding steadily eroded the number of wells being monitoring from more than 64 to fewer than 12, forced changes in the frequency and methods used in monitoring, and eventually resulted in complete elimination of the network in the early 1990s. By 2013, water levels were being continuously monitored in only one well located in far western Kentucky (Graves County) as part of the federally funded USGS National Climate Response Network. As a consequence, groundwater-level data are present lacking for much of the state, and available water-level measurements are often 30 years or more out of date. In 2015, KGS committed approximately $70,000 of internal funding to begin to address the critical lack of groundwater-level data by rebuilding a statewide groundwater observation network. Approximately 15 new observation wells are being established in selected locations across the state where up-to-date information on groundwater recharge and availability is a critical need. Each of the wells included in the network will be selected to monitor naturally occurring changes in groundwater level that are representative of conditions in a major aquifer in that particular area of the state. All of the wells included in the observation network will be equipped with pressure transducers and data loggers capable of recording changes in groundwater levels at 15- to 30-minute increments. Water-level data obtained from the new network will help KGS scientists and State water-resources managers better assess groundwater availability, predict oncoming hydrologic droughts, and evaluate the potential impacts of drought conditions on ground- and surface-water resources throughout Kentucky. |
Objectives |
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Methodology | Continuous collection of water-level measurements over a period of at least 5 to 10 years is needed to build the database (period of record) to identify monthly, seasonal, and longer-term trends in groundwater levels and to enable calculation of important statistical parameters such as mean, maximum, and minimum groundwater levels. KGS has committed internal funds to capitalize equipment for the initial 15 network observation wells and operate and maintain the network through fiscal year 2018. Longer-term maintenance and operation, or expansion of observation well sites to other parts of the state not currently being monitored, will require additional outside sources of funding. The proposed 15 new observation wells are being located in areas of the state where groundwater withdrawals are great or are expected to increase. Shallow, mostly unconfined aquifers are a priority for water-level monitoring. Geographic distribution of wells to obtain an optimal approximate statewide data coverage is also a consideration, as is locating wells in areas undergoing significant population increases and development for agricultural production or energy resource extraction. |
Benefits | Kentucky’s economic development is highly dependent on available water resources. In many parts of the commonwealth, groundwater is an important natural resource used by the agricultural and energy-extraction sectors, and by many citizens who rely on wells or springs as their primary source of drinking water. Reliable, up-to-date information about groundwater conditions is critical to assess groundwater availability, predict and monitor hydrologic droughts, and evaluate the potential impacts of drought on groundwater and surface streams throughout Kentucky. Unlike water in surface streams, groundwater is an unseen resource that cannot be directly observed and measured. Water-level measurements collected systematically from a suitable network of observation (monitoring) wells are the principal source of data about groundwater conditions and provide information needed to answer important basic questions such as: (1) how much groundwater do we presently have, (2) are groundwater withdrawals depleting Kentucky’s aquifers, and (3) will enough groundwater be available to meet the Ccommonwealth’s future needs? |
Results / Products | All groundwater data collected from the KGON wells will be publicly accessible through the KGS website. A special web page linked to the KGS Groundwater Data Repository is being created to display hydrographs of groundwater-level fluctuations recorded in each observation well, and to search for and access supporting data, which may include well-construction records, aquifer-test results, groundwater-quality sampling data, etc. |
KGS staff update and maintain a repository of oil and gas drilling records for the purpose of making these data available to government, industry, and the general public. These data provide access to information needed for investigation of the commonwealths energy resources. All oil and gas drilling-related documents are available free through web-based search and mapping services.
PIs / co-PIs | Carrie Pulliam, Brandon Nuttall |
Funding | Kentucky Geological Survey |
Total Budget | Internal Funded |
Start Date | |
End Date | Ongoing |
Issue | Oil and gas drilling records provide a publicly available archive of subsurface data that support government regulatory programs, resource exploration and development by industry, investor research, landowner inquiries, and general public access to information. |
Objectives | Timely online access to a catalog of basic geologic data in support of subsurface investigations by government, industry, and the public. |
Methodology | Subsurface data from oil and gas wells were collected by KGS from its beginnings, but they werent systematically collected until the Fifth Survey, beginning in 1919. A library of paper documents was maintained and became the statewide repository with the adoption of KRS 353 (KRS 353.550) in 1960, which required drilling documents to be submitted to the Kentucky Division of Oil and Gas and then be transmitted to KGS. Beginning with the Eleventh Survey, the burden to maintain paper files and the need to archive those data resulted in a program to scan the documents and initiate a digital library and database of oil and gas wells. With the Twelfth Survey, that digital database was made available through web-based search and mapping services. Today, when the Division issues a permit for an oil and gas well, that permit is added to the Surveys oil and gas well database. As drilling documents are submitted to the Division and transmitted to the Survey, they are scanned and added to the library and become available online. |
Benefits | The oil and gas well-record data repository provides publicly available subsurface geologic data and energy resource information that supports a broad spectrum of users. Industry uses the repository for resource exploration and development. Government agencies access the repository for information useful in the enforcement of oil and gas and environmental protection regulations. The general public can explore basic questions about the availability of resources ("Do I have oil and gas on my land?"). The repository also supports KGS research to compile and analyze subsurface data in order to develop regional knowledge related to resource distribution and assessment, carbon sequestration, underground injection and disposal, basement geology, induced- and microseismicity, and many other topics. |
Results / Products | The scanned oil and gas well-record data repository is freely available through web-based search and mapping services. These data have formed the basis of multiple projects and reports issued by KGS that summarize topics such as the geology of shale-gas and tar-sand units, understanding petroleum systems, resource distribution, injection for enhanced oil and gas recovery or disposal of oil-field wastewater, and geologic storage of carbon. The database will grow and be enhanced, depending on emerging topics and issues related to energy development and building a better understanding of Kentuckys subsurface wealth. |