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USGS1989

Ground-water levels in the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky, 1987-88

Water-level data have been collected in the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky by the U.S. Geological Survey since 1943. Summaries and analysis of these data are published periodically to update the record and to help public officials who must manage this groundwater supply. Maps and hydrographs are presented in this report to update the record for 1987-88 and to interpret recent trends in water levels. The data show that groundwater levels were stable for the period 1980-86 after rising rapidly in the 1970's. There has been a slight decline in the water levels during 1987-88 because of below normal precipitation for the period 1985-88. The decline has been about 1 to 3 ft in wells along the Ohio River and about 3 to 6 ft in wells away from the influence of the river. Groundwater withdrawals have also caused slight declines in the water table in three areas in Louisville. Declines in downtown Louisville due to pumpage seem to be stabilizing at or slightly below the normal pool stage of the Ohio River which indicates that water is probably being induced from the river into the aquifer. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2001

Biodegradation potential of chlorinated solvents in ground water at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Louisville, Kentucky, July 1999 to February 2000

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Navy, Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command, investigated the potential for biodegradation of chlorinated solvents in ground water at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (also known as the Naval Ordnance Station, or the station), Louisville, Kentucky. The subsurface down to at least 100 feet at the station is characterized, from shallowest to deepest, by overburden deposits, a shale layer, and limestone. In general, all of the strata are poorly permeable. The permeable zones of the overburden and the limestone make up the overburden aquifer and the bedrock aquifer, respectively. Observed concentrations of redox-sensitive solutes suggest that the predominant anaerobic terminal electron accepting process in the overburden aquifer can shift between iron reduction and sulfate reduction, possibly as a result of rainfall-induced oxidation events. Daughter-product concentrations and laboratory experiments indicate that a variety of mechanisms, including reductive dechlorination and cometabolic oxidation, appear to be actively

Kentucky↗

USGS2009

Concentrations, and estimated loads and yields of total nitrogen and total phosphorus at selected water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, 1979-2004

To evaluate the State’s water quality, the Kentucky Division of Water collects data from a statewide network of primary ambient stream water-quality monitoring stations and flexible, rotating watershed-monitoring stations. This ambient stream water-quality monitoring network program is directed to assess the conditions of surface waters throughout Kentucky. Water samples were collected monthly for the majority of the stations from 1979 to 1998, which represented agricultural, undeveloped (mainly forested), and areas of mixed land use/land cover. In 1998, the number of water samples collected was reduced to a collection frequency of six times per year (every 2 months) every 4 of 5 years, because a new monitoring network was implemented involving a 5-year rotating Basin Management Unit scheme of monitoring. This report presents the results of a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water, to summarize concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus and provide estimates of total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads and yields in 55 selected streams in Kentucky’s ambient stream water-quality monitoring network, which was operated from 1979 through 2004. Streams in predominately agricultural basins had higher concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) than streams in predominately undeveloped (forested) basins. Streams in basins in intensely developed karst areas characterized by caves, springs, sinkholes, and sinking streams had a higher median concentration of TN (1.5 milligrams per liter [mg/L]) than streams in basins with limited or no karst areas (0.63 mg/L). As with TN, median concentrations of TP also were higher in areas of intense karst (0.05 mg/L) than in areas with limited or no karst (0.02 mg/L). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has recommended ecoregional nutrient water-quality criteria as a starting point for States to establish more precise numeric water-quality criteria for nutrients to protect aquatic life and recreational and other uses of rivers and streams. On the basis of the 25 th percentile of concentration data from reference stations aggregated by ecoregion, the USEPA established recommended water-quality criteria for TN and TP in the two Aggregated Ecoregions (IX and XI) in Kentucky waters. The 25 th percentile median values for TN and TP from this study exceeded the USEPA’s recommendations in both aggregated ecoregions in the agricultural and mixed land-use/land-cover basins, and for TN in the undeveloped land-use/land-cover basins in Aggregated Ecoregion XI. However, the 25 th percentile median values for TN (Aggregated Ecoregion IX) and TP in both aggregated ecoregions did not exceed the USEPA’s recommendations in the undeveloped land-use/land-cover basins. Estimated loads and yields of TN and TP varied substantially among the individual stations. Estimated mean annual yields of TN ranged from 0.10 [tons per year per square mile (ton/yr)/mi 2 ] to 7.2 (ton/yr)/mi 2 , and estimated mean annual yields of TP ranged from 0.02 (ton/yr)/mi 2 to 1.4 (ton/yr)/mi 2 . Estimated mean annual yields of TN and TP were generally highest at stations in predominately agricultural basins, and lowest at stations in undeveloped land-use/land-cover basins.

Kentucky↗

USGS1995

Ground-water levels in and pumpage from the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky, May 1989-May 1991

Water-level data have been collected in the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Ky., by the U.S. Geological Survey since 1943. Interpretations of these data are published periodically to update the record and help local officials manage this ground-water supply. Maps and hydrographs are presented on two sheets to aid in the interpretation of water-level changes for the period May 1989-May 1991. The altitude of the water table in the alluvial aquifer has increased as much as 5 feet in some areas during the 2-year period of May 1989-May 1991. Hydrographs for obser- vation wells throughout the alluvial aquifer show that water levels fluctuate seasonally and in response to wet and dry periods; overall, the water- level trend has been upward in recent years. Water levels in the downtown area are affected by the pumping of ground water to heat and cool several buildings in the area. Ground-water contour maps show induced infiltration of water from the Ohio River to the alluvial aquifer in downtown Louisville as a result of the ground-water pumping.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1981

Geologic map of the Troublesome Roadless Area, McCreary County, Kentucky

The Troublesome Roadless Area is composed of six tracts of land and contains 2,943 acres (fig. 1). The largest tract of the study area, located 13 mi southwest of Stearns, Ky., is accessible from that town via State Route 92 to Hill Top, and . then southwestwatd along country roads. Unimproved Forest Service roads, abandoned logging roads, and primitive trails provide access by foot or horseback into the interior of each tract of the study area. Physiographically, the Troublesome Roadless Area is in the Cumberland Plateau section of the Appalachian Plateaus Province and is near the western edge of the Appalachian coal region. The topography is typical of the Cumberland Plateau section, characterized by irregular, narrow-crested ridges, deep narrow canyons, and a dendritic drainage pattern. Troublesome Creek, a small tributary of the South Fork of the Cumberland River, is the source of the area name (fig. 2). Altitudes range from about 1,600 ft on Laurel Ridge in the largest tract to approximately 800 ft along the South Fork of the Cumberland River. Field investigations by personnel of the U.S. Geological Survey consisted of reconnaissance geologic studies and data collecting, including the measurement of stratigraphic sections and the mapping of poorly exposed coal beds and resistant sandstone units. Additional subsurface information was obtained by studying and interpreting the logs of several coreholes drilled near the study area.

Kentucky↗

USGS1982

Mineral resource potential map of the Troublesome Roadless Area, McCreary County, Kentucky

A geologic and geochemical investigation and a survey of existing mines and prospects have been conducted to determine the mineral resource potential of the Troublesome Roadless Area, McCreary County, Ky. The study area comprises six tracts totaling about 2,943 acres in the Daniel Boone National Forest. It is in the Cumberland Plateau section of the Appalachian Plateaus Province. All surface and mineral rights are federally owned. Limestone and shale units of Mississippian age and overlying sandstone, shale, and coal beds of Pennsylvanian age comprise the bedrock exposed in the Troublesome Roadless Area. Coal, sandstone, and shale are the principal mineral resources in the study area. Coal has been mined near the roadless area from at least two coal beds. Available data indicate that coal reserves do not underlie the area. Coal resources totalling 7 4 7,000 short tons in the Stearns No. 1112 (?) coal bed and 166,000 short tons in the Barren Fork(?) coal bed are contained in the Troublesome Roadless Area. Possible uses for sandstone units include silica sand, construction sand, and dimension stone. Shale may be suitable for structural clay products. Commercial quantities of oil and gas may be present at shallow depth in rocks of Mississippian age. A stream-sediment geochemical survey failed to recognize anomalies that would suggest mineralization, and the metallic mineral potential of the study area appears limited.

Kentucky↗

USGS2009

The Water Availability Tool for Environmental Resources (WATER): A water-budget modeling approach for managing water-supply resources in non-karst areas of Kentucky (phase I) — Data processing and model structure documentstion

The Water Availability Tool for Environmental Resources (WATER) was developed in cooperation with the Kentucky Division of Water to provide a consistent and defensible method of estimating streamflow and water availability in ungaged basins. WATER is process oriented; it is based on the TOPMODEL code and incorporates historical water-use data together with physiographic data that quantitatively describe topography and soil-water storage. The result is a user-friendly decision tool that can estimate water availability in non-karst areas of Kentucky without additional data or processing. The model runs on a daily time step, and critical source data include a historical record of daily temperature and precipitation, digital elevation models (DEMs), the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), and historical records of water discharges and withdrawals. The model was calibrated and statistically evaluated for 12 basins by comparing the estimated discharge to that observed at U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations. When statistically evaluated over a 2,119-day time period, the discharge estimates showed a bias of -0.29 to 0.42, a root mean square error of 1.66 to 5.06, a correlation of 0.54 to 0.85, and a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency of 0.26 to 0.72. The parameter and input modifications that most significantly improved the accuracy and precision of streamflow-discharge estimates were the addition of Next Generation radar (NEXRAD) precipitation data, a rooting depth of 30 centimeters, and a TOPMODEL scaling parameter (m) derived directly from SSURGO data that was multiplied by an adjustment factor of 0.10. No site-specific optimization was used.

Kentucky↗

USGS2001

Calibration and validation of a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the Ohio River, Jefferson County, Kentucky

The quantification of current patterns is an essential component of a Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) application in a riverine environment. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provided a field validated two-dimensional Resource Management Associates-2 (RMA-2) hydrodynamic model capable of quantifying the steady-flowpatterns in the Ohio River extending from river mile 590 to 630 for the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) water-quality modeling efforts on that reach. Because of the hydrodynamic complexities induced by McAlpine Locks and Dam (Ohio River mile 607), the model was split into two segments: an upstream reach, which extended from the dam upstream to the upper terminus of the study reach at Ohio River mile 590; and a downstream reach, which extended from the dam downstream to a lower terminus at Ohio River mile 636. The model was calibrated to a low-flow hydraulic survey (approximately 35,000 cubic feet per second (ft 3 /s)) and verified with data collected during a high-flow survey (approximately 390,000 ft 3 /s). The model calibration and validation process included matching water-surface elevations at 10 locations and velocity profiles at 30 cross sections throughout the study reach. Based on the calibration and validation results, the model is a representative simulation of the Ohio River steady-flow patterns below discharges of approximately 400,000 ft 3 /s.

Kentucky↗

USGS2012

Methods for noninvasive bathymetric and velocity surveys for impoundment safety--A case study of Herrington Lake at Dix Dam near Burgin, Kentucky

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created bathymetric-contour and water-velocity vector maps for portions of Lake Herrington within 600 feet of the face of Dix Dam near Burgin, Kentucky. The mapping was in support of a study of noninvasive acoustic technology for assessing structural integrity of dams, both as a routine inspection tool or as an emergency tool during hydrologic events, such as high water or flooding. In April 2010, scientists from the USGS used a boat-mounted transducer and echo sounder to obtain bathymetric data to characterize lakebed relief and sediment distribution under a closed-intake condition. Also in April 2010, an acoustic Doppler current profiler was employed to measure water velocity and flow direction in the lake to locate velocities moving toward the dam face and, possibly, dam leakage. The bathymetric survey showed the present condition of fill in the reservoir since the dam was completed, as well as provided an outline of the lake floor. The velocity survey indicated no discernible flow pattern or direction within the study area; only one transect had shown a difference from the others that was noticeable. The noninvasive acoustic bathymetric and velocity surveys used during the case study showed promise in locating potential dam or intake maintenance areas. Additional case studies throughout the Nation are needed to more clearly define whether the methods for noninvasive bathymetric and velocity surveys for dam safety will be successful in a variety of settings.

Kentucky↗

USGS2026

Flood-frequency estimates for Kentucky streamgages based on data through water year 2021 and results of updating the fundamental layers in Kentucky StreamStats

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, analyzed flood-frequency statistics for streamgages in Kentucky. Using annual peak-flow data through water year 2021, flood-frequency estimates were computed for 261 streamgages, including unregulated and regulated sites as well as sites with mixed regulation records. Methods followed those outlined in “Guidelines for Determining Flood Flow Frequency—Bulletin 17C” (U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 4–B5). These estimates included flows corresponding to annual exceedance probabilities of 50, 20, 10, 4, 2, 1, and 0.2 percent. Temporal trend analyses using the Mann-Kendall test indicated that 18 percent of unregulated streamgages with (1) at least 30 years of peak-flow record and (2) peak-flow record at least as recent as water year 2000 showed statistically significant trends, most of which were weak to moderate increases in peak flows. Concurrently, the fundamental geospatial datasets that support the Kentucky StreamStats application were updated by using high-resolution digital elevation models and hydrography datasets to derive flow direction, flow accumulation, and stream definition rasters. Comparisons of regression-based flood-frequency models using the old and new layers demonstrated consistent results, with a statewide root-mean-square error of 0.019, in the base-10 logarithm of cubic feet per second. Furthermore, to assess model performance, flood-frequency estimates made by using the updated layers and previously published regression-based models were compared to flood-frequency estimates newly computed by following Bulletin 17C. This analysis showed the models performed adequately for most Kentucky stream locations. The updated statistics and geospatial layers provide stakeholders with more accurate, current data for flood-risk assessment, infrastructure design, and water-resource management.

Kentucky↗

USGS2009

Inventory and Statistical Analysis of Sediment Data for Streams in Kentucky, 1950-2008

Suspended sediment is a constituent of water that is monitored because of concerns about accelerated erosion, nonpoint contamination of water resources, and degradation of aquatic environments. Understanding the availability of monitored sediment data for streams in Kentucky is critical to planning future modeling and monitoring efforts. In order to assess the availability of sediment data for Kentucky, long-term records were obtained from the National Water Information System (NWIS) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC), the parameter traditionally measured and reported by the USGS, was statistically compared to turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS), two parameters that are considered surrogate data. Coincident observations of SSC with either turbidity or TSS were available for 42 sites. In combination with instantaneous streamflow, turbidity and TSS both proved to be significant indicators of SSC when data from all sites were used. Because of the perceived link between sediment and nutrient abundance in streams, sediment-parameter data at these sites were correlated to total-nitrogen and total-phosphorus concentrations. A significant relation (p-value < 0.05) was found between monitored nutrient concentrations and coincident sediment abundance, although there were no clear linear relations. This compilation of data showed that SSC was monitored at 118 sites in Kentucky at some time between 1950 and 2008. As of March 2008, 9 sites were monitored for SSC in Kentucky (8 of which are new) down from a high of more than 60 SSC sites during the 1980s. Of these 118 SSC sites, 21 sites were also monitored for TSS; there are coincident records for both SSC and TSS at 6 sites. Forty-seven of these long-term water-quality sites were also monitored for turbidity; there are coincident records for SSC and turbidity at 42 sites, including all of those at which there are coincident data for TSS. The number of sites at which SSC and at least one other sediment parameter (TSS or turbidity) were monitored decreased from a high of 27 in 1987 to zero during the period 2001-2005.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS1995

Water-quality assessment of the Kentucky River basin, Kentucky: Nutrients, sediments, and pesticides in streams, 1987-90

The U.S. Geological Survey investigated the water quality of the Kentucky River Basin in Kentucky as part of the National Water Quality Assessment program. Data collected during 1987-90 were used to describe the spatial and temporal variability of nutrients, suspended sediment, and pesticides in streams. Concentrations of phosphorus were signifi- cantly correlated with urban and agricultural land use. The high phosphorus content of Bluegrass Region soils was an important source of phosphorus in streams. At many sites in urban areas, all of the stream nitrogen load was attributable to wastewater- treatment-plant effluent. Tributary streams affected by agricultural sources of nutrients contained higher densities of phytoplankton than streams that drained forested areas. Data indicate that a consid- erable percentage of total nitrogen was transported as algal biomass during periods of low discharge. Average suspended-sediment concentrations for the study period were positively correlated with dis- charge. There was a downward trend in suspended- sediment concentrations downstream in the Kentucky River main stem during the study. Although a large amount of suspended sediment originates in the Eastern Coal Field Region, contributions of suspended sediment from the Red River and other tributary streams of the Knobs Region also are important. The most frequently detected herbicides in water samples were atrazine, 2,4-D, alachlor, metolachlor, and dicamba. Diazinon, malathion, and parathion were the most frequently detected organo- phosphate insecticides in water samples. Detectable concentrations of aldrin, chlordane, DDT, DDE, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and lindane were found in streambed- sediment samples.

Kentucky↗

USGS1984

Analysis of characteristics of simulated flows from small surface-mined and undisturbed Appalachian watersheds in the Tug Fork basin of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia

Hydrologic and climatologic data were collected at 10 small, mined and unmined watersheds in the Tug Fork basin of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. These data included continuous records of discharge, precipitation, and air temperature. Daily records of sediment concentrations and sediment discharges were also obtained and periodic observations of water-quality data taken. A compilation of all these data is presented. The observed climatic and hydrologic data from these basins were used to calibrate the U.S. Geological Survey Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System for each watershed. The calibrated models of each basin were then used with a set of nearby, long-term climatic data to simulate a long record of stream-flow. A 68-year record of daily streamflow and 57 years of annual peaks were simulated for each site. These simulated records were analyzed to obtain flood-frequency curves, flow-duration curves, mean-annual discharges, and the 7-day, 10-year low flow for each site. The flow characteristics computed from the simulated records of discharge were analyzed graphically and statistically by regression analysis to investigate the degree of relationship and to define the relationship between mining and runoff. For this sample of small basins, peak flows, discharges for 10- and 50-percent flow durations, and mean-annual flows are directly related to percent of drainage area disturbed (measured from aerial photos) and drainage area. Percent of drainage area disturbed is generally a more statistically significant estimator of discharge than drainage area, particularly for peak flows of higher recurrence intervals.

Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia↗

USGS2012

Construction of estimated flow- and load-duration curves for Kentucky using the W ater A vailability T ool for E nvironmental R esources (WATER)

Flow- and load-duration curves were constructed from the model outputs of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Availability Tool for Environmental Resources (WATER) application for streams in Kentucky. The WATER application was designed to access multiple geospatial datasets to generate more than 60 years of statistically based streamflow data for Kentucky. The WATER application enables a user to graphically select a site on a stream and generate an estimated hydrograph and flow-duration curve for the watershed upstream of that point. The flow-duration curves are constructed by calculating the exceedance probability of the modeled daily streamflows. User-defined water-quality criteria and (or) sampling results can be loaded into the WATER application to construct load-duration curves that are based on the modeled streamflow results. Estimates of flow and streamflow statistics were derived from TOPographically Based Hydrological MODEL (TOPMODEL) simulations in the WATER application. A modified TOPMODEL code, SDP-TOPMODEL (Sinkhole Drainage Process-TOPMODEL) was used to simulate daily mean discharges over the period of record for 5 karst and 5 non-karst watersheds in Kentucky in order to verify the calibrated model. A statistical evaluation of the model's verification simulations show that calibration criteria, established by previous WATER application reports, were met thus insuring the model's ability to provide acceptably accurate estimates of discharge at gaged and ungaged sites throughout Kentucky. Flow-duration curves are constructed in the WATER application by calculating the exceedence probability of the modeled daily flow values. The flow-duration intervals are expressed as a percentage, with zero corresponding to the highest stream discharge in the streamflow record. Load-duration curves are constructed by applying the loading equation (Load = Flow*Water-quality criterion) at each flow interval.

Kentucky↗

USGS2004

Concentrations of selected organochlorine compounds in fish tissue in the Mississippi Embayment Study Unit : Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, 1995-99

Whole fish were collected at 52 sites during 1995-99 to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of selected organochlorine compounds in the Mississippi Embayment Study Unit. Samples were collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Assessment Program. From 5 to 8 fish were collected at each site; the fish were composited, and an aliquot of the tissue was analyzed for 28 organo-chlorine compounds, which included pesticides, pesticide degradates, and polychlorinated biphenyls. The use of these organochlorine compounds has been discontinued or severely restricted within the United States, but the continued detection of these compounds or their degradates in the air, water, soil, and biota in national surveys, coupled with known environmental problems associated with these compounds (such as a long half-life and the propensity to accumulate in living tissue), is cause for continued interest in their environmental fate. At least one organochlorine compound was detected in every fish-tissue sample, and as many as 15 different compounds were detected in some. The most frequently detected com-pounds were the degradates of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichlo-roethane (p,p'-DDT); p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) was detected in every sample above the method reporting limit, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p'-DDD), was detected in 94 percent of the samples. Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds and dieldrin were detected in 83 and 78 percent of fish-tissue samples, respectively. Because these were whole fish samples, the results are not directly comparable to human health standards, which are based on fish fillets. Comparison of these results, however, to the guidelines for the protection of fish-eating wildlife indicates that concentrations of the p,p'-DDT degradates and toxaphene continue to be of environmental concern.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS2014

U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, Carlsbad, New Mexico, April 29-May 2, 2014

Karst aquifer systems are present throughout parts of the United States and some of its territories, and have developed in carbonate rocks (primarily limestone and dolomite) that span an interval of time encompassing more than 550 million years. The depositional environments, diagenetic processes, post-depositional tectonic events, and geochemical weathering processes that form karst aquifers are varied and complex, and involve biological, chemical, and physical changes. These factors, combined with the diverse climatic regimes under which karst development in these rocks has taken place, result in the unique dual- or triple-porosity nature of karst aquifers. These complex hydrogeologic systems typically represent challenging and unique conditions to scientists attempting to study groundwater flow and contaminant transport in these terrains. The dissolution of carbonate rocks and the subsequent development of distinct and beautiful landscapes, caverns, and springs has resulted in the most exceptional karst areas of the United States being designated as national or state parks; commercial caverns and known privately owned caves number in the tens of thousands. Both public and private properties provide access for scientists to study the flow of groundwater in situ. Likewise, the range and complexity of landforms and groundwater flow systems associated with karst terrains are enormous, perhaps more than for any other aquifer type. Karst aquifers and landscapes that form in tropical areas, such as the cockpit karst along the north coast of Puerto Rico, differ greatly from karst landforms in more arid climates, such as the Edwards Plateau in west-central Texas or the Guadalupe Mountains near Carlsbad, New Mexico, where hypogenic processes have played a major role in speleogenesis. Many of these public and private lands also contain unique flora and fauna associated with these karst hydrogeologic systems. As a result, numerous federal, state, and local agencies have a strong interest in the study of karst terrains. Many of the major springs and aquifers in the United States have developed in carbonate rocks, such as the Floridan aquifer system in Florida and parts of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina; the Ozark Plateaus aquifer system in parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma; and the Edwards-Trinity aquifer system in west-central Texas. These aquifers, and the springs that discharge from them, serve as major water-supply sources and as unique ecological habitats. Competition for the water resources of karst aquifers is common, and urban development and the lack of attenuation of contaminants in karst areas can impact the ecosystem and water quality of these aquifers. The concept for developing a platform for interaction among scientists within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) working on karst-related studies evolved from the November 1999 National Ground-Water Meeting of the USGS. As a result, the Karst Interest Group (KIG) was formed in 2000. The KIG is a loose-knit, grass-roots organization of USGS and non-USGS scientists and researchers devoted to fostering better communication among scientists working on, or interested in, karst science. The primary mission of the KIG is to encourage and support interdisciplinary collaboration and technology transfer among scientists working in karst areas. Additionally, the KIG encourages collaborative studies between the different mission areas of the USGS as well as other federal and state agencies, and with researchers from academia and institutes. The KIG also encourages younger scientists by participation of students in the poster and oral sessions. To accomplish its mission, the KIG has organized a series of workshops that are held near nationally important karst areas. To date (2014) six KIG workshops, including the workshop documented in this report, have been held. The workshops typically include oral and poster sessions on selected karst-related topics and research, as well as field trips to local karst features. Proceedings of the workshops are published by the USGS and are available online at http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/karst/kig . The first KIG workshop was held in St. Petersburg, Florida, February 13–16, 2001, in the vicinity of the large springs and other karst features of the Floridan aquifer system. The second KIG workshop was held August 20–22, 2002, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in proximity to the carbonate aquifers of the northern Shenandoah Valley and highlighted an invited presentation on karst literature by the late Barry F. Beck of P.E. LaMoreaux and Associates. The third KIG workshop was held September 12–15, 2005, in Rapid City, South Dakota, nearby to karst features in evaporites and limestones of the Madison Group in the Black Hills of South Dakota, including Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument. The workshop also included a featured presentation by Thomas Casadevall, Central Region Director, USGS, on the status of earth science at the USGS and evening trips to Jewel Cave led by Mike Wiles, National Park Service (NPS) and Wind Cave led by Rod Horrocks, NPS. The fourth KIG workshop was held May 27–29, 2008, and hosted by the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute and Center for Cave and Karst Studies at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, near Mammoth Cave National Park and karst features of the Chester Upland and Pennyroyal Plateau. The workshop featured a late-night field trip into Mammoth Cave with Rickard Toomey and Rick Olsen, NPS. The fifth workshop was held April 26–29, 2011, and was a joint meeting of the USGS KIG and University of Arkansas HydroDays, hosted by the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The workshop featured an outstanding field trip to the unique karst terrain along the Buffalo National River of the southern Ozarks and a keynote presentation on paleokarst in the United States by Art and Peggy Palmer. This sixth and current 2014 KIG workshop is hosted by the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with Director of NCKRI, George Veni, serving as co-chair of the workshop with Eve Kuniansky, USGS. The session planning committee for this sixth workshop includes Van Brahana, USGS retired and University of Arkansas Professor Emeritus; Tom Byl, USGS and Tennessee State University; Zelda Bailey, former Director of NCKRI and retired Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder Laboratory, Colorado; Patrick Tucci, USGS retired; and Mike Bradley, Allan Clark, Geoff Delin, Daniel Doctor, James Kaufmann, Eve Kuniansky, Randy Orndorff, Larry Spangler, and Dave Weary of the USGS. The karst hydrology field trip on Thursday will be led by Lewis Land (NCKRI karst hydrologist) and the optional Friday field trip on the geology of Carlsbad Caverns National Park will be led by George Veni. The keynote speaker is Dr. Penelope Boston, Director of Cave and Karst Studies at New Mexico Tech, Socorro, and Academic Director at NCKRI, who will address the future of karst research. Additionally, there is a featured presentation “Irish karst and its management,” by Caoimhe Hickey, The Geological Survey of Ireland, preceding a panel discussion on “Collaboration During Times of Limited Resources.” The extended abstracts of USGS authors were peer reviewed and approved for publication by the U.S. Geological Survey. Articles submitted by university researchers and other federal and state agencies did not go through the formal USGS peer review and approval process, and therefore may not adhere to our editorial standards or stratigraphic nomenclature and is not research conducted or data collected by the USGS. However, all articles had at a minimum of two peer reviews, and all articles were edited for consistency of appearance in the published Proceedings. The use of trade, firm or product names in any article is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The USGS, Office of Groundwater, provides technical support for the Karst Interest Group website and public availability of the Proceedings from these workshops, and the USGS Groundwater Resources Program funds the publication costs. Finally, the cover illustration is the work of Ann Tihansky, USGS, used since the first KIG workshop in 2000.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS1986

An evaluation of water-quality data from Hydrologic Accounting Unit 051100, Green River Basin, Kentucky

Streamflow and water quality data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet from 37 sites in the Green River basin were compared to data from the USGS National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) Station, Green River near Beech Grove, Kentucky. This comparison was used to determine variability of water quality data throughout the basin, and to determine if water quality data from the NASQAN station were representative of water quality data upstream. Water quality concentrations, yields, and trends were studied. Water quality data from the NASQAN station were fairly representative conditions throughout the basin for specific conductance, pH, phosphorus and nitrogen, but were not representative for chloride, sulfate, iron, and water temperature. Water quality characteristics which were not representative can generally be attributed to impacts of specific land uses such as coal mining or oil production. Mean concentrations of suspended sediment were similar, but extreme concentrations varied throughout the basin. There were no temporal trends detected in instantaneous streamflow, sulfate, or total iron concentrations. Specific conductance was increasing at three stations and decreasing at one, chloride was increasing at two stations and decreasing at one, phosphorus was increasing at two stations, dissolved iron was increasing at one station and decreasing at one, pH was increasing at three stations and decreasing at two, suspended sediment was increasing at one station and decreasing at one, and water temperature was decreasing at two stations. The NASQAN station had increasing trends in chloride, phosphorus, pH, and suspended sediment, and a decreasing trend in water temperature with time. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2015

Geologic Cross Section I–I′ Through the Appalachian Basin from the Eastern Margin of the Illinois Basin, Jefferson County, Kentucky, to the Valley and Ridge Province, Scott County, Virginia

Geologic cross section I‒I’ is the fourth in a series of cross sections constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey to document and improve understanding of the geologic framework and petroleum systems of the Appalachian basin. Cross section I‒I’ provides a regional view of the structural and stratigraphic framework of the Appalachian basin from the eastern margin of the Illinois basin in central Kentucky, across the Cincinnati arch (Lexington dome), to the Valley and Ridge province in southwestern Virginia, a distance of approximately 280 miles. This cross section is a companion to cross sections E‒E’ , D‒D’ , and C‒C’ that are located about 200 to 300 miles to the northeast. Cross section I‒I’ either updates or complements earlier geologic cross sections through the central Kentucky and southwestern Virginia part of the Appalachian basin. Although other published cross sections through parts of the basin show more structural and stratigraphic detail, these other cross sections are of more limited extent geographically and (or) stratigraphically. Cross section I‒I ’ contains much information that is useful for evaluating energy resources in the Appalachian basin. Many of the key elements of the Appalachian basin petroleum systems (such as source rocks, reservoir rocks, seals, and traps) can be inferred from lithologic units, unconformities, and geologic structures shown on the cross section. Other aspects of petroleum systems (such as the timing of petroleum generation and petroleum migration pathways) may be evaluated by burial history, thermal history, and fluid flow models on the basis of what is shown on the cross section. Cross section I‒I’ also provides a stratigraphic and structural framework for the Pennsylvanian coal-bearing section. In addition, geologists and engineers could use cross section I‒I’ as a reconnaissance tool to identify plausible geologic structures and strata for the subsurface storage of liquid waste or for the sequestration of carbon dioxide.

Kentucky, Pensylvania↗