Inside:• What is a watershed?• What is the condition of the watershed?• How is watershed health determined?• What can I do to help?

For more informationor additional copies contact:http://kywatersheds.org/or call 502-564-3410

Status Report

Cumberland River Basin andFour Rivers Region

Kentucky Division of Water14 Reilly RoadFrankfort, KY 40601

BULK RATEU.S. Postage

PAIDLouisville, KY

40218Permit No. 59

March 2000

Basin or Watershed?The basin of a river or stream isall the land that is drained by alake, river or stream. Anotherword for basin is watershed,which comes from theobservation that water is shedfrom an area of land and flowsdownhill into a body of water.Karst TopographyKarst topography is defined asthat type of terrain and geologicregion underlain by bedrock thateasily dissolves, such aslimestone, and characterized bydepressions in the ground, orsinkholes, caves, andunderground drainage. Becausewater can enter the subsurfaceeasily through conduits andfractures in the soluble limestonebedrock, karst aquifers are highlysusceptible to contamination.Geography and Stream HealthHow does geography affect thehealth of streams? The lay of theland, soil types, and vegetation inan area can directly affect waterquality – especially when the landis cleared or tilled. For example,basins with loose soils, steephills, or little vegetation are oftenseverely eroded by rainstorms,leaving streams and riversmuddy and subject to floodingfrom rapid runoff. Vegetation canreduce flooding by slowing downrunoff from rainstorms and caneven filter out silt and othercontaminants before they reachstreams. Trees, bushes, and tallgrass along stream banks alsoreduce erosion along the channeland create valuable habitat forbirds, mammals, and othercreatures.

What is a watershed?No matter where you live, work, or play, you are in a watershed. A watershed is a geographic area where all water running offthe land drains to a specific location. This location may be a stream, river, lake, wetland, or ocean; or the water may drainunderground into the groundwater. You may live on a creek, which is considered a small watershed. Your creek may join ariver, which is a larger watershed. The river may have many smaller creeks, known as tributaries, that drain into it and eachof these tributaries has a small watershed associated with it, and each is part of the larger watershed of the river.

Most of the streams in the region, however, seem to be freeof excessive pollution. Maintaining good water quality inthe unpolluted parts of the river and cleaning upcontamination in other sections will require a closer look atwhat is happening in the watershed, how it impactswatershed health, and what can be done to improveconditions. That is what this report is all about.

Regions of the watershedThe Four Rivers Region includes the far western portion ofKentucky, with portions of the Lower Cumberland Riverbasin, Lower Tennessee River basin, and direct tributaries tothe Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The Upper CumberlandRiver basin includes the headwaters of the Cumberland basin

down to the Kentucky Tennessee stateline. The Middle Cumberland Riverbasin is all of the Cumberland Riverbasin in the state of Tennessee.

Is the watershed healthy?That is the main question this report explores. In order todetermine if the region’s streams are contaminated, wehave reviewed water sampling data, assessments of streamand river bank conditions, discharge permits for wastewatertreatment plants, and activities like farming, development,logging, and mining. We have found that what happens inthe river basin – or watershed – directly impacts waterquality and habitat conditions. Some tributaries in theCumberland River basin and the Four Rivers region arecontaminated by agriculture (204 miles of streams), urbanrunoff (283 miles), resource extraction (1,075 miles),municipal wastewater discharges (358 miles), and wastedisposal on the land (192 miles). These sources ofpollutants contribute bacteria from sewage or livestock; siltfrom erosion, construction, or logging; algaeblooms fed by nutrientsfrom fertilizers or manure;and various pollutants frommining and industrial orurban wastewater plants.

To understand the health of the watershed, one must alsounderstand the natural conditions of the watershed. Thegeology, or physiographic makeup of the basin, the type ofterrain, the amount of water, population, land-use activities,etc., all have a bearing on where and how pollutants move inthe environment and how we are exposed to them. In theend, these natural conditions affect the health of thewatershed and the people who live there.

PhysiographyThe headwaters of the Cumberland River lie within theEastern Coal Field physiographic region. Although there aresome folded and faulted rocks, such as along the PineMountains, most of this region is characterized by flat-lyingsandstones, shales and sedimentary rocks composed ofsedimentary shale and limestone that have been deeply cut,creating steep hillsides and narrow valleys. Groundwaterflow in this region is predominantly through cracks in therocks, with wells in valleys typically producing more waterthan wells on ridges.

From the Eastern Coal Field, the river flows onto thePennyrile Plateau. This plateau consists primarily of thickflat-lying limestone, with minor shale beds, and ischaracterized by flat to gently rolling terrain with well-developed karst topography. Groundwater flow in this regionis mostly through well-developed conduits and enlargedfractures. Several springs in this region discharging frommajor conduits are large enough to support municipal watersystems.

The Four Rivers Region in Kentucky is characterized bygently rolling terrain underlain mainly by loose sedimentssuch as sand and silt. Groundwater flow is through thespace between the grains of sediment. Shallow wells in thearea are widely used for domestic water supplies; in addition,

Description of the Cumberland River Basin andthe Four Rivers Region

deeper wells in confined aquifers provide abundant waterfor industrial, municipal, and domestic use.

BiodiversityBecause of the variety of biological and physiographicregions that occur in the Cumberland River basin and theFour Rivers region, the natural biodiversity is highcompared with many surrounding areas. For example, thereare great diversities of fish, aquatic insects, and freshwatermussels, many of which exist only in this part of the stateand should be protected. But biodiversity is threatened bypollution, siltation, and loss of habitat. Natural biologicalsystems help humans by filtering and cleansing water,storing and detoxifying pollutants. The KentuckyBiodiversity Task Force is an excellent source of informationon the status of Kentucky’s plant and animal biodiversity athttp://www.nr.state.ky.us/nrepc/dnr/ksnpc/biodiv.htm.

While the loss of biodiversity is a concern, the invasion ofnon-native species also poses a threat to other species andthe integrity of the flora and fauna of the state. Exoticspecies often have no natural predators and can continue toreproduce to levels that will displace and out competeother species. This not only affects the existence of otherspecies but has economic implications as well. The zebramussel and quagga mussel attach themselves to anyavailable hard substrate, including other mussels andsnails, as well as water intakes, discharge structures,mooring and boating structures, etc. Maintenance andclearing of these mussels is very costly, and the costs getpassed on to us, the consumers of drinking water systems.

VegetationThe region is characterized by forest vegetation typical ofthe oak-hickory forest type, primarily white oaks, redoaks, and hickories, and a large number of other species.

BiodiversityBiodiversity is a term that appliesto the health and function ofstreams, lakes and wetlands.Biodiversity is the number andkind of organisms present (orthat should be present, includingbacteria, plankton, plants, fungi,and animals).

Riparian areaStream banks and the land alongthem are called a riparian area.With appropriate vegetation,riparian areas provide naturalprotection from pollutants thatdrain off the land. Good riparianmanagement can preventerosion and flooding. It alsoprovides important habitat forwildlife because it offers food,water, shelter, and a travelcorridor.

Upper Cumberland

Middle Cumberland

Four Rivers

How do people and land use affect awatershed?Environmental studies in the Four Rivers/Cumberland Riverregion demonstrate the close link between land activities andwater quality. Headwaters of the basin contain old oil and gaswells, abandoned coal mines, and poorly logged areas, which

can contribute brine, acidity, and silt,respectively, to the river. The middlesection of the basin is a mix of urban,forest and agriculture, and the lowersection flows through agriculturallands that produce row crops,livestock, and their periodic by-products – water-borne sedimentsand manure. Fecal contamination cancome from hog farms or chickenmanure disposal sites, mostly locatedin the lower Cumberland watershed,but found all over the basin. Manurecontamination can also come fromdairies along the middle reaches ofthe river, beef cattle on farms in themiddle and lower reaches, and even

household pets throughout the watershed.

Storm water runoff from the cities in the middle reaches of theCumberland basin contains automotive oils, sediment fromland clearing activities, particulates from cars and other

Also included are remnants of the original bottomlandhardwood forest, 80 percent of which has been converted toother use, primarily agriculture. Included in the bottomlandforest are swampy areas containing such trees as baldcypress and water tupelo. While there is still a gooddiversity of tree species and some excellent stands scatteredthroughout the region, the quality of forest resources overallis mixed due to a general lack of resource planning, poormanagement practices, and impacts from poor harvesttechniques and skid roads. As more and more acres of publicland such as national forests are becoming off-limits tologging, harvesting pressure is increasing on private forestholdings such as those in the basin. An increasing source ofpressure comes from demand for smaller trees that can beused for raw material for paper and chip mills. Thesedemands have increased in number in recent years. This isreflected in the ratio of growth to harvest that is approaching1:1 in the western part of the basin.

Water resourcesThe Cumberland River basin andthe Four Rivers region are uniqueportions of the nation. Because ofthe rich supply of streams and othersurface water, water use reliesheavily on both surface water andgroundwater. Drinking water isdrawn almost equally from above-ground and below-ground sources.When you add the fact that muchof the karst topography results inan intermingling of the surface andgroundwater, these water suppliesare very vulnerable tocontamination from activities on theland.

There are approximately 27,668 miles of streams in the FourRivers Region and the Cumberland River basin. Thesestreams start as high-gradient mountain streams in theeastern headwaters of the Cumberland basin and transition

to wider, slower moving streams in the western region.Because of the more gentle terrain and types of soil andgeology, the lower portions of the Tennessee and CumberlandRivers and the tributaries to the Mississippi may have widemeanders and frequently receive much of their stream flowfrom pockets of wetlands scattered about the region. Thesewetlands play a critical role in flood control by slowlyreleasing water to the rivers after a rain. They also play a vitalrole in providing habitat for wildlife. The Four Rivers area isalso rich in man-made lakes, especially in the Land Betweenthe Lakes Region. These impoundments provide floodcontrol, water supply, recreation, and wildlife habitat.

Drinking Water SuppliesWater for drinking must be pipedfrom some well or surface watersupply. Public drinking waterutilities have to be concernedwith the quantity of the supply inorder to meet the needs of thepublic. This can be greatlyaffected by droughts and otherupstream practices. While thewater is treated prior todistribution, the raw water thatcomes from the well, lake, orriver must be of high enoughquality to allow safe treatment. Intimes of drought or heavy rainfall,the quality can be adverselyaffected by discharges ofwastewater or pollutants thatrun off the land. Protecting thedrinking water source, or itswatershed, is important toeveryone.

Consumer Confidence ReportsThe Safe Drinking Water Act of1996 required that all communitywater systems annually report towater users information about thequality of the water delivered by thesystem. This report will let youknow where your water comesfrom, how the water is delivered toyou home, and violations andlevels of regulated contaminantsthat have been found in the water.

sources, nutrients that feed algae blooms, and other urbancontaminants. Development and loss of greenspace alsocauses surges in stream levels due to rapid runoff - fromroofs, roads, and parking lots - which erodes stream banksand can cause localized flooding. Finally, the loss of trees,shrubs, and grasses along stream banks causes furtherinstability and erosion, with resulting increases in siltationand decreases in both instream and stream bank habitat.Channelization, the clearing and straightening of streamchannels, aggravates both flooding and sedimentation,despite the common notion that it reduces flooding. Powerboating can contribute an oily sheen on the water and, withimproper disposal and direct discharges of waste holdingtanks from houseboats, can degrade water quality. Landapplication of sewage and sludge from septic systems ispracticed in some counties and can lead to runoff ofnutrients and bacteria if not done properly. Illegal dumps ofsolid waste can result in the runoff of any number ofpollutants from metals to pesticides to bacteria, dependingupon what happens to be in the dump.

Obviously then, what happens on the land can have asignificant impact on water quality in the streams and lakes.The predominant land-use activities within a watershed are

good indicators of the potential contaminant sources withinthat watershed.

Agricultural land represents about 39.5% of the region andis used to grow crops or raise farm animals. Farmers mayapply chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, or insecti-cides that could be carried off into the river by stormwater.Other impacts include soil erosion, resulting in sedimentsentering the streams, and pathogens and nutrients fromanimal wastes entering the streams.

Forestland represents about 51% of the region and may bea natural area that is relatively undisturbed or an area whereintensive harvesting occurs or something in between. Aforest area that is managed as a natural area may haverelatively little or no impact on the waters within thewatershed. However, a poorly managed forest that isharvested for lumber may impact the watershed through soilerosion, primarily from logging roads.

Residential land includes small communities and suburbanareas of homes. Land disturbance during construction aswell as land changes affect the hydrology of streams. Manyhomes depend on septic tanks, which, if not propely

Contaminants and their effectsNutrients – nitrogen and phosphoruscan cause an increase in algal growth;when the algae die, their decompositionremoves oxygen from the water; theseresult in low dissolved-oxygenconcentrations. The breakdown ofsome nitrogen compounds by bacteriaalso lowers dissolved oxygen.

Pesticides – runoff of pesticides intostreams results in harm and/or death tobeneficial plants and animals that live inor use the water.

Pathogens – a high concentration ofpathogens (bacteria, viruses,protozoans) may cause illness inhumans and other animals and, in someinstances, can cause death.

Sediments – the result of soil erosioncauses reservoirs to lose capacity asthe silt settles out, reduces suitablehabitat in streams, and transportsattached contaminants (nutrients andmetals).

Metals – are toxic to fish, humans, andother animals and can cause illness,deformities, and death.

Acid mine drainage

maintained, may be sources of bacteria, pathogens, andnutrients. Chemicals applied to lawns, trees, and shrubs byhomeowners, such as fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides,are carried off by stormwater and may harm the quality of thewater in the creeks or harm the animals and plants in thecreek.

Urban, or built-up land, represents about 5.2% of theregion. One of the greatest impacts on water quality andaquatic life from urbanization is the change in water-flowregimes. The increase in impervious surfaces (roads,parking lots, roof tops, etc.) and modifications to “improve”drainage (ditches, storm sewers) result in flash flooding ofurban streams and runoff of toxic metals and organiccompounds. Flash floods can wash out aquatic insects thatare the source of food for fish and can cause bank erosion,adding silt that smothers surviving organisms. These

changes also reduce groundwater recharge, so stream flows insummer months are lower. Dissolved oxygen levels arereduced, and the concentration of toxic materials is increased.Riparian vegetation that normally provides shade and acts asa source of food for aquatic life is removed, threatening thestream’s biological integrity.

Water resources represent about 2.7% of the total land cover.

Other land (1.6% of the area) uses include quarries,transportation corridors, recreational areas, and rural landcurrently not in productive use.

What is the condition of the Four Rivers Region?DescriptionThe Four Rivers region includes the Lower TennesseeRiver basin, the Lower Cumberland River basin in Ken-tucky, and tributaries in the Jackson Purchase of Kentuckythat drain to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Thesewatersheds drain approximately 4,703 square miles ofKentucky. This region contains many karst flow systemsthat affect underground water movement and quality. Thisarea includes all or parts of 13 counties. Cities in the regioninclude Clinton, Bardwell, Paducah, Mayfield, Murray,Benton, Calvert City, Cadiz, Hopkinsville, and Elkton. Majorimpoundments include Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.

Water QualityWater quality in the region is generally good. To date,1,070 miles of stream have been monitored and assessedfor water quality and biological integrity of a total 7,259miles of streams (15 %). The results of these surveys haverevealed that approximately 75 percent of the assessedstreams are fully meeting water quality standards. Streamsnot meeting standards are shown on the centerfold map.These impairments can be attributed to agriculture (219miles of stream), physical alteration of the stream (40miles), land disposal of waste (64 miles), municipal andindustrial discharges (104 miles), resource extraction (18miles), and urban runoff (77 miles).

Species of ConcernMuch of the habitat for fish reproduction has been lostbecause of stream and river channel maintenance in theFour Rivers Region. As a result, several sensitive speciesare threatened. (See side bar.)

There are ten federally listed endangered species known tooccur in the Four Rivers region. The Bayou de Chiensystem in Graves and Hickman counties is designated as anOutstanding State Resource Water due to the presence ofthe relict darter.

Historically, the Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland riverssupported the most diverse native freshwater mussel fauna inthe United States. The decline in the number and types offreshwater mussel species in the basin can be attributed toindustrial and transportation development, reductions in waterquality, building of lakes, straightening and dredging streams,commercial mussel harvesting, gravel mining, and introductionof non-native species.

Mussels are filter feeders, siphoning algae, plankton, andother material from the water. Mussels are an integral part ofaquatic ecosystems, also serving as a source of food formuskrat, raccoon, otter, mink, and fish. Because they feed byfiltering particulates from the water column and because theytend to accumulate some types of pollutants (such as certainpesticides and metals), they can serve an important role asbiological indicators of water quality. The Tennessee Riverbelow Kentucky Lock and Dam is also designated as anOutstanding State Resource Water because of federally listedendangered species and is also a state mussel sanctuary. Areach of the Mississippi River is an OSRW due to the recentdiscovery of the federally endangered fat pocketbook.

Other species are of concern because they are not safe to eat.A fish consumption advisory is a warning to the public toavoid eating too much of certain fishes because they are toocontaminated for eating unlimited quantities. Fishconsumption advisories for various species are in effect forthe entire Ohio River mainstream (PCBs and chlordane), LittleBayou Creek in McCracken County (PCBs), and five ponds onthe West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area in McCrackenCounty (mercury). For more information on fish consumptionadvisories contact the Division of Water at (502) 564-3410.

Special ResourcesThe Four Rivers region is filled with opportunities for outdooractivities and provides important natural functions and refugefor wildlife. The Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)is the first wildlife refuge established wholly within the state

Species of Concern• Sturgeon chub, sicklefin chub,

lake sturgeon, paddlefish,shovelnose sturgeon, relictdarter

Reason for Concern:Threatened by developmentand maintenance of the majorrivers, especially from graveldredging and flood controlefforts in the tributaries.

• Alligator garReason for Concern:Threatened by loss offloodplain waters andwetlands adjacent to the majorrivers.

• Fat pocketbook mussel, pinkmucket pearly mussel, orange-footed pimple back pearlymussel, little wing pearlymussel.

Reason for Concern: Reducedpopulations because bottom-feeding habits expose them tosignificant levels ofcontaminants.

• Zebra mussel, quagga mussel.Reason for Concern:Introduced species: threatenother sensitive species bycompetition and physically

Wetlands

nearly half are from people outside the area – it is clear thatthese natural resources are important to the region. Thesenatural resources not only provide important ecologicalfunctions, but the tourism and recreation that these resourcesattract are a major part of the region’s economy and are amajor source of jobs.

WetlandsWetlands provide essential watershed functions related tofloodwater storage, groundwater flow moderation, sedimentremoval, nutrient cycling, and water purification. They alsoprovide diverse habitats for wildlife foraging and reproduction,and refuge for a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians,and fish and great places for recreation – such as wildlifespotting, hunting, and conoeing This region of the state is richwith wetlands. However, many valuable functions of wetlandsare being lost due to their being drained and filled for farmland,development, and mining.

Threatened freshwater mussels

All wetlands on this map include wetlands, streams, and riparian areas.

of Kentucky. The refuge will eventually encompassapproximately 18,000 acres in Marshall, Graves, andMcCracken counties. It will be managed for wintering habitatfor migratory waterfowl, nesting habitat for wood ducks,nongame species, other bottomland hardwood wetlandspecies, and wildlife-dependent recreation.

The Land Between the Lakes (LBL) is the largest inlandpeninsula in the U.S. and the second largest contiguousblock of forested public land east of the Mississippi. TheLand Between the Lakes has more than 1,300 plant species,over 230 bird species, and a reintroduced population ofbuffalo and elk. There are three state resort parks in theregion. The parks and the LBL are staffed and equipped foreducational outings, bird watching, retreats, hunting,swimming, and trail hiking on more than 230 miles of trailswith 1,000 campsites and many other outdoor activities. TheKentucky and Barkley lakes are also widely known forfishing and boating. The LBL area serves as a magnetfor tourists from all over the world that come to thisunique and vast tract of land for vacationing. The areahosted 2.2 million visits from 50 states and 30 foreigncountries and generated $580 million in tourism in 1996.With this input of tourism dollars and more than 12,000hunting licenses and 90,000 fishing licenses – of which

Marine waste pumpout station

ForestsForests of the Four Rivers Region provide many importantwatershed functions. They provide valuable habitat andrefuge for wildlife. In addition to habitat, vegetation alongthe rivers and streams help stabilize the shore lines. Thisprevents the soil from eroding and helps filter out pollutantsbefore entering the waterways. The canopy that riparianvegetation provides also helps maintain stream temperaturesand reduces algae growth that can choke out other forms ofaquatic life.

Current timber stands in the Four Rivers region are secondor third generation trees, with a rather large acreage of pine,mostly loblolly, which has been planted starting in the 1930’sand continuing through the present time. The counties thatmake up this region contain more than 50 mills that utilizeroundwood for such things as veneer, sawlogs, pulpwood,handles, staves, and chips. Persons employed in this wood-using economy total more than 2,250 and enjoy an annualpayroll of more than $41,300,000. In addition, each primaryindustry job generates 1.6 additional jobs. Log receiptsgenerate more than $65,000,000 annually with approximatelyone-half of this amount going to the landowners. Theindustry generates annual sales of more than $325,000,000.

WastewaterThe proper disposal of wastewater is an issue in whicheveryone has a stake. Depending upon where you live, yourhome may be connected to a city-owned-and-operated publicwastewater collection system through which all thewastewater goes to a centrally located and operated treatmentsystem. A sanitary sewer treatment system and any other typeof industrial or process wastewater plant must have aKentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (KPDES)permit and meet conditions on the quality of what theydischarge. If you live in a more rural area, you may have whatis called an “on-site” wastewater system, such as a septic tankand drain lines. Some homes, however, have no properwastewater disposal system; these “straight pipes” releaseraw sewage to creeks and rivers and pose a significant healththreat.

In areas where there are recreational boats, discharge anddisposal of wastewater from houseboats canbe a serious problems. Correction of thisproblem will involve installation of pump-out and treatment facilities at marinas, alongwith education of the boating public.Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley aredesignated as discharge lakes and

RifflesRiffles are short runs of rapidlyflowing water, usually over rocks,downed trees, and other objectsin the stream channel. Thechurning waters of riffles createhigh-quality habitat for mussels,fish, and insects that live in thestream because of the higherlevels of dissolved oxygen mixedinto the water.

houseboats are required to have properly functioningmarine toilets. There are 83 commercial docks on KentuckyLake, and it is estimated that there are 4,150 resident boatson Kentucky Lake that have toilet facilities, not includingtransient commercial and pleasure craft.

As shown on the accompanying map, public and privatewater withdrawal points are scattered throughout the basin.There are 100 public wells, 2,260 domestic wells and 37surface water intakes used for water supplies. There is agrowing awareness that protecting these water supplies fordrinking water purposes is a high priority.

Floodplain managementAs more and more development occurs, good land becomesa premium. Unfortunately, good land for farming anddevelopment is often located in the floodplain of a nearbyriver or stream. When development occurs in the floodplain,it poses several potential problems. First and foremost, thepeople and property are at risk when water rises. Many livesand millions of dollars have been lost to flooding inKentucky. Also, physical structures in the floodplain caninterfere with stream bank stability, erosion, water quality,water infiltration, and downstream flooding. Most counties

in Kentucky have a floodplain management program that triesto protect the floodplain and minimize threats to people andproperty. All the counties in the Four Rivers region have afloodplain management program except Lyon County. Onemeans for measuring the potential threat to your community isthe dollars of property insured from flooding. More than $190million worth of property is insured against flood damage inthe region, and about $6.4 million in claims have been filedsince 1978, with more than $4 million in claims in Trigg andLyon counties alone.

AgricultureSince much of the Lower Cumberland and Purchase Area isalluvial floodplain, with rich soils ideal for farming, it is nosurprise that agriculture is a significant part of the localeconomy. From 1998 to 1999, the area produced almost $4billion worth of agricultural income. Major crops include corn,soybeans, wheat, and tobacco. Livestock includes beef, dairy,swine, and broilers. By far the county with the greatestproduction is Graves County, generating about $168 million inagricultural products, mostly from chickens.

emaNmaertSfoecruoSstnatulloP

stnatulloP

keerCnosrednA gniniM noitatliS

keerCuoyaB segrahcsidlairtsudnIlamreht,noitaidaR

,Hp,noitacifidomslatem

neihCeduoyaB erutlucirgA snegohtaP

keerCyhceeB nwonknU nwonknU

keerClartneC segrahcsidlapicinuM enirolhC

keerCnoipmahC nwonknU nwonknU

reviRskralC,segrahcsidlapicinuM

-porc,erutlucirgasecruosdetaler

,noitatlis,ODwoL,stneirtunsnegohtap

keerCdnalsI nwonknU nwonknU

keerCnahtanoJ nwonknU nwonknU

keerCuoyaBelttiL,segrahcsidlairtsudnI

segnahcwolf,slatem,sBCP

noitaidar

keerCraeBelttiL,segrahcsidlapicinuM

lasopsiddnalODwol,stneirtuN

reviRelttiL,secruosdetaler-porC

erutlucirga,noitatlis,stneirtuN

snegohtap

keerCnotsgniviL erutlucirgA noitatlis,stneirtuN

keerCdleifyaMwolf,erutlucirgA

segnahc,segnahctatibaH

snegohtap,noitatlis

elltiLkroFhtroNreviR

nabru,erutlucirgAgninim,ffonur

,snegohtaPnoitatlis,stneirtun

keerCnoibO erutlucirgA noitatliS

reviRoihOrewesdenibmoC

nabru,wolfrevolasopsiddnal,ffonur

ytiroirp,snegohtaPsBCP,scinagro

keerCeenwahS,segrahcsidlapicinuM

erutlucirgaODwol,stneirtuN

elttiLkroFhtuoSreviR

,segrahcsidlairtsudnIerutlucirga

noitatlis,stneirtuN

reviReessenneT segnahcwolF segnahctatibaH

emanmaertSfoecruoSstnatulloP

stnatulloP

reviRykcoR gniniM Hp

keerCkciLdnuoR,segrahcsidlapicinuM

erutlucirga,enirolhc,snegohtaP

dael,noitatlis

sgnirpSneveSkeerC

,ffonurnabrUretawdnuorg

sgnidaolsedicitsep,stneirtuN

deRkroFhtuoSreviR

erutlucirgA noitatliS

htepraHhtuoSreviR

wolf,lasopsiddnaLsegnahc

tatibah,noitatliSrehto,segnahc

ODwol,cinagroni

ekaLytiCrecnepS gniniM slateM

keerCgnirpS lasopsiddnaL segnahctatibaH

keerCstrawetS,ffonurnabrU

noitcurtsnoc

wolf,noitatliStatibah,segnahc

segnahc

keerCsrenotS

,noitcurtsnoC,segrahcsidlairtsudni

noitcelloc,sllipseruliafmetsys

,esaerg&lio,noitatliSsnegohtap

reviRsenotSmaertspU

tnemdnuopmi

wol,cinagronirehtOsegnahcwolf,OD

rodo&etsat

kroFthgiartSkeerC

tatibah,gniniMsegnahc

segnahctatibah,Hp

kroFruhpluS erutlucirgA noitatliS

keerCllubnruT erutlucirgAtatibah,noitatliS

segnahc

hcnarBsedaWtatibah,erutlucirgA

segnahctatibah,noitatliS

segnahc

ekaLaguataW ffonurnabrU ODwol,stneirtuN

kroFtseWkeerCs'nworB

noitcurtsnoC segnahctatibaH

kroFtseWreviRhtepraH

,ssolnairapiRerutlucirga

tatibah,noitatliSODwol,segnahc

kroFtseW.sbirThtepraH

erutlucirgAtatibah,noitatliSODwol,segnahc

yebOkroFtseWreviR

gniniM noitatlis,HPp,slateM

deRkroFtseWreviR

nairapir,erutlucirgAssol

,ODwol,noitatliSsegnahctatibah

senotSkroFtseWkeerC

,segrahcsidlapicinuMnoitcurtsnoc

ODwoL

keerCkaoetihW gniniM noitatliS

keerCs'etihWmetsysnoitcelloC

eruliafsnegohtaP

reviRfloW egdulS esaerg&liO

Four Rivers Impaired Stream DataMiddle Cumberland ImpairedStream Data - see centerfold

Listed on this page are thestreams that have been monitoredand assessed for water quality.Each stream listed has been foundto be impaired by one of theactivities (sources) or pollutants(causes) listed. See the map atthe center fold to locate eachstream.(Four Rivers data source: Ky.Division of Water 305(b) Report toCongress)

See section “How do we determine watersh*Streams in the Middle Cumberland basin tstandards are not shown on map. (Middle CEnvironment and Conservation 305(b) Rep

emaNmaertSfoecruoSstnatulloP

stnatulloP

keerCsnotraBmetsySnoitcelloC

,noitcurtsnoc,eruliaf/ffonurnabru

woL,snegohtaPnoitatlis,OD

hcnarBraeBnairapir,erutlucirgA

noitcurtsnoc,ssoltatibah,noitatliSODwol,segnahc

keerCraeB gniniM Hp,noitatliS

ytilitUkeerCgiBekaLtcirtsiD

gniniM slatem,Hp

oodAcMgiBkeerC

,erutlucirgAnoitcurtsnoc

stneirtun,noitatliS

keerCyeniPgiB gniniM noitatlis,Hp

keerCyeldarBnairapir,erutlucirgA

ssol,ODwol,noitatliS

segnahctatibah

keerCenotsmirB gninim,gniggoL noitatliS

keerCs'nworB

,ffonurnabru,segrahcsidlairtsudni

rewesdenibmocwolfrevo

wol,esaerg&liOsnegohtap,OD

.lcni,keerCenaCyeniP&kroFyrD

keerC

maertspu,gniniMtnemdnuopmi

tatibah,slateMsegnahc

reviRkroFyenaCmaertspU

tnemdnuopmi

wolf,ODwoLlamreht,segnahc

noitacifidom

keerCnihcupaC gniniM noitatliS

STREAMS OF SPFour RiversImpaired StreamDataTo determine thepollutants and theirsources for impairedstreams in the FourRivers Region, seethe table on theprevious page.

Middle Cumberland Impaired Stream Data*

continued on next page

Upper CumberlandImpaired StreamData

hed health?” for explanation of these tables.hat were monitored and found to meet

Cumberland data source: Tenn. Dept. ofort to Congress)

PECIAL CONCERNTo determine thepollutants and theirsources for impairedstreams in the UpperCumberland RiverRegion, see the tableon the following page.

Middle Cumberland continued

emaNmaertSfoecruoSstnatulloP

stnatulloP

keerCnocaB segnahcwolFsegnahctatibaH

noitatlis

keerCyeliaBmetsysnoitcelloC

eruliafsnegohtaP

kroFnerraB gniniM Hp

keerCraeB gniniM Hp

kroFstenneB noitcartxeecruoseR,segnahctatibaH

noitatlis

keerCyliLgiB,segrahcsidlapicinuM

ffonurnabruODwoL

keerChsurB,lasopsiddnaL

erutlucirgasnegohtaP

hcnarBskcuB gniniM Hp

hcnarBenaC gniniM Hp

keerCnortaC lasopsiddnaL snegohtaP

keerCraelC segrahcsidlapicinuM snegohtaP

hcnarBkroFraelC segrahcsidlapicinuM,ODwol,stneirtuN

snegohtap

kroFrevolC

,segrahcsidlapicinuM,lasopsiddnal

metsysnoitcelloceruliaf

snegohtaP

keerCkcilrevolC,retawetsawetis-nO

gninimtatibah,snegohtaP

noitatlis,segnahc

keerCdekoorC,lasopsiddnaL

erutlucirgasnegohtaP

keerCseimmurC gniniM noitatlis,Hp,slateM

reviRdnalrebmuC

,lasopsiddnaL,segrahcsidlapicinum

metsysnoitcelloceruliaf

snegohtaP

hcnarBegdiRtsaE gniggoL segnahctatibaH

kciLtalFfoTUkeerC

segrahcsidlairtsudnI Hp

hcnarBsilliG sllips,noitcurtsnoC&lio,noitatliS

esaerg

keerCysaerG nwonknU snegohtaP

keerCesroH lasopsiddnaL esaerg&liO

keerCnaidnI gniggol,gniniMdednepsus,Hp

,stneirtun,sdilossnegohtap

hcnarBsynneJ noitcurtsnoC noitatliS

kroFycaL gniniM Hp

keerCleruaL segrahcsidlapicinuM enirolhc,noitatliS

thgiartSkroFtfeLkeerC

,segrahcsidlapicinuMgninim

,Hp,snegohtaPnoitatlis

emaNmaertSfoecruoSstnatulloP

stnatulloP

keerCkciL gniniMtatibah,Hp,slateM

noitatlis,segnahc

keerCraelCelttiL gniggol,gniniMtatibah,Hp

noitatlis,segnahc

reviRleruaLelttiL,segrahcsidlapicinuM

erutlucirga,snegohtaP

ODwol,stneirtun

keerCnoocaRelttiL gniniM ytinilasHp,slateM

kroFsareppoC gniniM Hp

keerCyenooL segrahcsidlapicinuM snegohtaP

keerCpmaCnnyL,sllips,nwonknUwolf,ffonurnabru

segnahc

,segnahctatibaH&lio,snegohtap

noitatlis,esaerg

keerChsraM erutlucirga,gniniMtatibah,noitatliS

segnahc

kroFsnitraM,segrahcsidlapicinuM

gninimHp,snegohtaP

keerCnamtiPlapicinum,erutlucirgA

segrahcsidnwonknu,stneirtuN

yticixot

nuRtnasaelPwolf,erutlucirgA

segnahc,segnahctatibaH

noitatlis

keerCdnoP segrahcsidlapicinuM

ainommAwol,)dezinoinu(,snegohtap,OD

noitatlis

kroFrooP,lasopsiddnaL

segrahcsidlapicinumsnegohtaP

keerCttekcuP nwonknU snegohtaP

keerCdnalhciR nwonknU snegohtaP

hcnuaPgniraoRkeerC

gniniM Hp

keerCkcoR gniniM Hp

keerCsnayR gniniMdednepsus,Hp

sdilos

keerCgnikniStnioplapicinuM

gninim,segrahcsid&lio,snegohtaP

esaerg

keerCgniknitS gniggol,erutlucirgA,segnahctatibaH

noitatlis

keerCthgiartS lasopsiddnaL snegohtaP

keerCyekruT gniniMsegnahctatibah,Hp

noitatlis

keerCkaOetihW gniniMtatibah,Hp,slateM

noitatlis,segnahc

hcnarByeltihWmetsysnoitcelloC

eruliaf,snegohtaP

enirolhc

hcnarBtacdliW gniniM Hp

keerCwolleY /ffonurnabrU,noitatlis,stneirtuN

segnahctatibah

keerCmucoY lasopsiddnaL snegohtaP

Upper Cumberland Impaired Stream DataListed on this page are the streamsthat have been monitored andassessed for water quality. Eachstream listed has been found to beimpaired by one of the activities(sources) or pollutants listed. Seethe map at the center fold to locateeach stream.(Source: Ky. Division of Water305(b) Report to Congress)

What is the condition of theUpper Cumberland watersheds?DescriptionThe Upper Cumberland River drains approximately 5,184square miles of eastern Kentucky. This area includes all orpart of 17 counties. Cities in the basin include Hazard,Barbourville, Harlan, Pineville, Williamsburg, London,Somerset, Monticello, Jamestown, Burkesville, Albany,McKee, Middlesboro, and Corbin, plus numerous smallercommunities. Major impoundments in the basin include LakeCumberland on the mainstem river, Laurel River Lake,Martins Fork Lake, Cranks Creek Reservoir, Wood CreekLake, Lake Linville, and Cannon Creek Reservoir.

Special ResourcesMany parts of the state have been set aside and givenspecial protection because of their natural qualities andscenic beauty. While these lands are managed for their long-term protection, many are open to the public. In addition toproviding a safe haven for rare species and unique ecologi-cal systems, these areas provide outstanding scenery andrecreational opportunities. Hiking, wildlife viewing, canoeingand kayaking, and other non-motorized sports can beenjoyed over much of these areas. You can contact thevarious agencies listed in the back of this document for moreinformation.

The US Forest Service administers a large portion of thebasin, as part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. A portionof the forest has been designated by Congress as the BeaverCreek Wilderness, one of the state’s two wilderness areas.The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area,managed by the National Park Service, protects much of theBig South Fork of the Cumberland upstream from LakeCumberland in McCreary County. Cumberland Gap NationalHistorical Park, in Bell and Harlan counties, covers more than26,000 acres, including the headwaters of Cumberland River

tributaries Martins Fork, Shillalah Creek, Sugar Run andYellow Creek.

Nature Preserves within the watershed include the BadBranch, Pine Mountain State Park, Cumberland Falls StatePark, Blanton Forest, Kingdom Come, and Hi Lewis StateNature Preserves, totaling 6,293 acres. These areas aremanaged by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commis-sion to protect resident plants and animals, including manythreatened and endangered species. There are eight stateparks in the basin – Cumberland Falls, Kingdom Come, LakeCumberland, Pine Mountain, Levi Jackson, Thomas WalkerState Historic Site, Dale Hollow Lake, General Burnside –and two state forests – Kentennia in Harlan County (3,624acres) and Kentucky Ridge, in Bell County (11,363 acres).There are also numerous State Wildlife Management Areasadministered by the Kentucky Department of Fish andWildlife Resources. These include the Lake Cumberland,Mill Creek, Cane Creek, Beaver Creek, Big South Fork,Kentucky Ridge State Forest, Shillalah Creek, Martins ForkLake, Cranks Creek, Dale Hollow Lake, and Kentennia StateForest Wildlife Management Areas.

Seven streams in the Upper Cumberland basin have beendesignated as state wild rivers by the Kentucky GeneralAssembly, in recognition of their outstanding naturalqualities and pristine setting. The designated streams arethe highest quality, least impacted streams in the basin.These include 16.1 miles of the Cumberland, both above andbelow Cumberland Falls in McCreary and Whitley Counties;10.2 miles of the Big South Fork, within the Big South ForkNational River and Recreation Area in McCreary County; 4miles of Bad Branch, within and adjacent to Bad BranchState Nature Preserve in Letcher County; 10.4 miles of theLittle South Fork of the Cumberland in McCreary andWayne Counties; 3.9 miles of Martins Fork, adjacent toCumberland Gap National Historical Park in Harlan County;

Well pump

18 miles of Rock Creek in McCreary County; and 15.9 milesof the Rockcastle River in Rockcastle, Laurel, and Pulaskicounties. These streams are managed by the Division ofWater to protect their natural features and undevelopedcharacter. Recently, the Division of Water has begun usingfunds from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fundto acquire private lands within wild river corridors fromwilling sellers. As acquired, these properties will be man-aged to protect the natural features of the areas whileallowing low impact recreational use where appropriate.

The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is located on theCumberland River in Russell County, Kentucky, immediatelydownstream from Lake Cumberland. Dale Hollow NationalFish Hatchery is located on the Cumberland River in PickettCounty, Tennessee, immediately downstream of Dale HollowLake.

Endangered and Threatened SpeciesThere are 16 federally listed endangered species known tooccur in the Upper Cumberland River basin. The sidebar onthis page lists the rare species and provides a briefexplanation as to why these populations are declining.

The Upper Cumberland River basin historically supportedone of the most diverse native freshwater mussel fauna inthe United States. More than 80 species once occurred inthe Upper Cumberland River basin, and current recordsindicate that approximately 55 species still exist. Numerousother species, not listed in the sidebar on this page, are alsoexperiencing declines in the Upper Cumberland. Musselsare filter feeders, siphoning algae, plankton, and organicmaterial from the water. They also serve as a source of foodfor muskrat, raccoon, otter, mink, and fish. Because theyfeed by filtering particulates from the water column andbecause they tend to accumulate pollutants such as organiccompounds (e.g., pesticides) and heavy metals, they canserve an important role as biological indicators of waterquality.

Many streams in the Upper Cumberland River basin are also

designated as Outstanding State Resource Waters (OSRW)due to the presence of federally threatened and endangeredaquatic species.

Surface coal mining activities in the basin have contributed tohabitat degradation and the permanent loss of some headwaterstreams in the Upper Cumberland Basin. Surface mining permitrecords in the Upper Cumberland River Basin indicate that 41.3miles of streams were permanently lost as a result of the directplacement of overburden, coal slurry, and other wastes intostream channels over about a 10-year period. Another 28.7miles were adversely impacted from erosion/siltation controlstructures built in stream channels downstream of permanentfills.

Water QualityThere are approximately 6,420 miles of streams and rivers in theUpper Cumberland basin. Only 1,387 miles (22%) have beenassessed to determine whether these streams meet the waterquality standards for swimming and fishing. Many of thestreams in the upper watershed are relatively pristine, butothers have been negatively impacted by resource extractionsuch as coal mining, oil and gas well development, and timberharvesting, as well as poorly planned development and othernon-point source pollution.

Monitoring data in the Upper Cumberland River basinindicates that streams have documented impairments due toindustrial and municipal wastewater discharges (200 miles ofstream), agriculture (41 miles), urban runoff and development(34 miles), and other unknown sources (46 miles). A moredetailed listing of streams and where the pollutants are comingfrom is provided at the end of this section (page prior tocenterfold). The centerfold map depicts the location of streamsand their impairment status.

As shown on the accompanying map, public and private waterwithdrawal points are scattered throughout the basin. Thereare 54 public wells, 3,143 domestic wells and 71 public surfacewater intakes used for water supplies. There is a growingawareness that protecting these water supplies for drinking

Threatened and EndangeredSpecies• Indiana bat, gray bat, Eastern

small-footed bat.Reason for Concern: Loss anddegradation of habitat typesspecific to each species.

• Paleozone shiner, duskytaildarter, blackside dace.

Also of concern: CumberlandJohnny darter, Olive darter, andAshy darter.

Reason for Concern: Loss ofspawning habitat from mining,poor forestry practices,floodplain development, graveldredging, and flood controlefforts.

• Numerous mussels: Cumberlandelktoe, Cumberlandian combshell,oyster mussel, purple cat’s pawpearly mussel, little wing pearlymussel, Cumberland beanpearly mussel, Northern riffleshell.

Reason for Concern: Surfacecoal mining, acid mine drainage,industrial and transportationinfrastructure development,water quality degradation,impoundments, channelization,and gravel mining.

Blackside dace

Straight pipe wastewater discharge

Drinking water intake structure

systems and therefore rely on someform ofonsite treatment for wastewater.Few municipal wastewatertreatment systems presently existexcept in some of the largercommunities. The primary onsitetreatment system for households inthe Upper Cumberland is a septictank to remove solid material and aleach field to dispose of thewastewater. However, numeroushouseholds in the UpperCumberland basin do not have anyform of wastewater treatment, and

the untreated wastewater from these households is dischargeddirectly to a creek or onto the ground. This is known as a“straight-pipe” discharge.

The presence of straight-pipe discharges and failed septicsystems has greatly impacted water quality in the UpperCumberland basin. Elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria(from human and animal waste) have been

water purposes is a highpriority. Many wells andsurface waters in the UpperCumberland are contaminatedfrom untreated human sewagefrom failing septic systems andstraight pipe discharges.

Waste and WastewaterProper management ofwastewater is a major issue inthe Upper Cumberland basin.Kentucky Pollution DischargeElimination System (KPDES)permits, provided for underfederal andstate laws, allow the disposal of treated effluent in thewater. This effluent can be relatively clean wastewater fromproperly operating municipal and industrial wastewatertreatment plants, discharges from sedimentation or treatmentponds near mines or oil/gas wells, or storm water fromculverts that drain city streets.

The majority of households in the Upper Cumberland basinare not connected to municipal wastewater treatment

Septic systemsSeptic systems help clean upsewage from homes andbusinesses in areas not servedby wastewater treatment plants.On most systems, the first stageof treatment is the septic tank,where wastewater is digestedand solids settle out. After theseptic tank, the liquid waste isdirected to a drain field, lagoon,or wetland for further treatment. Ifthe process is working correctly,the relatively clean wastewaterthen soaks into the ground.Septic tanks require periodicmaintenance pumping. Illegalstraight pipes send semi- oruntreated wastewater directly tostreams.

detected in numerous portions of thebasin. Moreover, the levels of fecal coliform bacteria are sohigh that numerous streams and creeks are unsafe forswimming or any human contact, such as wading andfishing.

Although the problem of straight pipes and failed septicsystems is massive, certain actions are being taken. ThePersonal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment(PRIDE) program is offering low-interest loans for theinstallation of septic systems to eliminate straight pipes orfailed septic systems. The passage of Senate Bill 18 in1998, which requires that a wastewater treatment systembe approved prior to electrical hook-up, has slowed theproliferation of straight pipes. Other state and federalresources, in the form of loans and grants, are becomingavailable to help with this problem (see the end of thisdocument for contact information).

So far, loans have helped individuals remove more than 600straight pipes from the Upper Cumberland drainage area.

Some additional projects for clusters of homes – conventionalextensions of existing systems and some innovativecommunity systems - will eliminate at least that manystraight pipes and failing septic systems by early 2000.

The good news is that people are working together to make adifference through the efforts of various volunteerorganizations and participating local governments. During1998 and 1999, various groups – Boy Scouts, high schools,civic organizations and others, adopted 48 streams for cleanup.In addition, 164 open dumps have been closed. These effortshave resulted in more than 4,700 appliances, 32,400 tires, and33,100 cubic yards of trash being removed from the creekbanks and drainage areas of the Upper Cumberland Riverbasin.

How do we determine watershed health?Healthy watersheds produce clean water – water that isfishable, swimmable and suitable as a drinking watersource. Watersheds that meet these criteria support a widevariety of aquatic life and are a valuable resource. Stateagencies mostly follow the guidelines in the federal CleanWater Act to determine whether or not the quality of riverand stream water is acceptable. Under the Clean Water Act,states set standards for the water based on how it is beingused. These uses can consider the high-quality values of awild and scenic river, a stream’s importance as a drinkingwater source, wildlife habitat, or other uses. The standardsinclude benchmarks for various parameters like dissolvedoxygen, temperature, acidity, and other measurable quali-ties (see sidebar).

If a lake, river, or stream meets the standards for fishing,swimming, and drinking water sources, it is said to fullysupport its designated uses (see centerfold map and tables).If it falls short on a few measures, it may only partiallysupport its uses. Failure on additional counts can mean thatit is not supporting its designated uses. The condition ofthese waters is reported to Congress, as required by theClean Water Act, Section 305(b). Bodies of water that do notsupport their designated uses must have cleanup plans thatidentify and quantify the problem pollutants and specifyhow they will be reduced. Sometimes the pollutants comefrom wastewater treatment plants, other times they arecarried into the water by runoff from towns, farms, newdevelopments, or other areas.

Watershed health means more than good water chemistry.In addition to chemical analyses, watershed health can bemeasured by observing plant and animal life. For example,certain species are indicators. Also, habitat is important towatershed and stream health. Vegetation in the riparian area- especially shrubs and trees - provides food and cover forterrestrial and aquatic life. Riparian vegetation also holdsstream banks in place and helps to filter soil erosion andother polluted runoff. The amount and type of vegetationalong a stream, lake, or sinkhole determines riparian health.

Watershed health also means having good storage andretention capabilities in the basin. That is, under idealconditions, as rain falls upon the earth, water either evapo-rates, soaks into the ground, or runs off into streams, lakes,and rivers. For water to soak into the ground, the water mustencounter some obstacles that slow its flow down hill, such asretention basins, trees, leaf litter in a forest, even grass. Allthese things cause water flow to slow down enough for it tosoak into the ground. A hard-packed clay field or a parking lotwill simply shed the water, forcing it to run downstream.Conversely, if the water can soak into the ground, it rechargesthe groundwater for wells and will slowly release it to ourstreams and lakes. This run-off/soak-in cycle has two effects:In times of high flow, it can cause all the water to run off sorapidly that it results in flooding. Or, in times of low flow, it canresult in streams that run completely dry because there is norunoff or spring seepage to keep the rivers flowing.

During times of low stream flow, which occur more often in thelate summer and early fall, streams may have less suspendedsilt but may be rich and green from algae growth. During timesof low flow, most of the water in streams comes fromgroundwater inflow.

While state officials have information from samples collectedon the Cumberland River, the Lower Tennessee, and the minortributaries to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, much of thewater in the basin has not been tested. An interagencyworkgroup is coordinating efforts to increase the amount ofmonitoring conducted in the region. By working together, taxdollars can be stretched and better information provided onthe condition of the watershed. Also, citizens active in theFour Rivers and Upper Cumberland River Watershed Watchhave collected data to supplement public agency informationand raise public awareness. Reducing concentrations ofpollutants that exceed state standards will require a consider-able amount of cooperative action and analysis.

Organisms as indicatorsHealthy streams have low levels ofcontaminants and contain a diversityof plants and animals. Certainmussels and insect larvae (caddisfly,stonefly, mayfly) are often used asindicators of good water quality,similar to the coal mine canaries usedto detect poisonous gases. Sincethese mussels and larva can live onlyin relatively clean water, theirpresence usually indicates thatproblems are few in that section ofthe stream.

Kentucky Water QualityStandardsThe following parameters, ormeasurable criteria, are only a few ofthose used to define Kentucky’swater quality standards. Thestandards and units for eachparameter are listed below. Forexample, if a water sample showsmore than 400 fecal coliform CFUs ina 100 milliliter sample, the waterwould be considered contaminated.• Dissolved Oxygen: >4.0 Milligrams

per liter• pH (measures acidity): 6-9 Standard

units (7.0-neutral)• Fecal coliform: 400 Colony-Forming

Units per 100 milliliters of water• Temperature: 89 Deg. Fahrenheit

Water quality indicator: Aquatic insects

What can I do to help?

Land activities that can impact water quality

Activity Impacts

Row cropping Siltation, erosion, chemical and fertilizer runoff.Livestock production Manure runoff (excessive nutrients and bacteria), damage to streamside vegetation, bank erosion.Logging Loss of streamside trees, bank erosion, siltation from roads, increased runoff.Mining Acidity and sulfates from iron sulfide rocks, sediment, runoff surges.Oil and gas drilling Brine from drilling, sediments, oily runoff.Residential yards Lawn and garden chemical and fertilizer runoff, higher runoff velocities.Urban development Siltation from land clearing, runoff surges (oils and metals) from roofs, roads, parking lots.Industrial facilities Chemical runoff from material storage areas, soot deposits, runoff surges, spills.Commercial development Runoff surges (oils and metals) from parking lots, roofs; sediment from land clearing.Stream clearing Sedimentation, loss of wildlife/mussel habitat, loss of shading (increased temp.), flooding.Channelization Increased flooding, sedimentation, loss of fish/insect habitat, loss of mussel beds.Construction in floodplains Increased flooding, siltation, danger to life and property.Boating Metals, oils, and pathogens from discharge of sanitary waste.All terrain vehicles (ATVs) Erosion, loss of habitat.

Nearly one-quarter ofKentuckians surveyed namedwater pollution as the mostimportant environmental problemin Kentucky.

- University of KentuckySurvey Research Center, March1999

“While it is essential that youngpeople become environmentallyliterate, adults make the lifestyledecisions that affect Kentucky’senvironment.”

- Land, Legacy and Learning:Making Education Pay forKentucky’s Environment

A variety of actions are needed to improve water quality inthe Four Rivers region and the Cumberland River basin.Everyone who lives in the watershed can help. Support,encouragement, and financial assistance will be required tomotivate farmers, loggers, and developers to adopt erosionand sediment controls. Farmers,homeowners, and golf coursemanagers need to reduce the amountof fertilizers and chemicals theyapply to their lands. People whoown property along the creeks andrivers must recognize the impor-tance of trees, shrubs, and tallgrasses along the banks and in thefloodplains.

Better dissemination and use ofeducational materials and technicalinformation are needed to helppeople understand the importance of leaving streams alone– avoiding the temptation to channelize them, clearingtheir vegetation, straightening them out, digging up theirgravel bars, and controlling their flows. People who dump

trash along creeks or toss litter from their vehicles also needto be educated about how they are hurting their environment.

Several new initiatives are underway to address waterpollution caused by activities on the land. The 1998 Forest

Conservation Act requires trainedMaster Loggers to be present wheretimber is being cut, skidded, andloaded to ensure that proper measuresare taken to preserve streamside trees,minimize road-building impacts, andreduce erosion. The Kentucky Agricul-tural Water Quality Act provides thatfarmers must develop soil and waterconservation plans to address impactsfrom plowing, fertilizing, chemicalapplications, livestock production, andother activities.

But progress cannot be realized just by passing laws –people have to get involved if improvements are to be made.Some people may want to help collect water quality informa-tion by becoming a monitoring volunteer, while others might

Septic system installation

Farm demonstration project

Practices that reduce impacts from land activities

Activity Management practices

Row cropping Use conservation tillage, targeted chemical use, strip cropping, and streamside buffers.Livestock production Move facilities uphill, install waste treatment systems, stream fencing, and setbacks.Logging Skid on the contour, avoid streams, preserve streamside trees, and install water bars.Mining Reclaim mined areas, mix acid and alkaline material, add erosion/sediment controls.Oil and gas drilling Store or treat wastes from drilling, control sediments and oils.Residential yards Reduce/eliminate lawn/garden chemical use, preserve streamside vegetation.Urban development Sediment/erosion/stormwater controls, minimize land clearing and pavement, preserve

existing trees.Industrial facilities Cover stored materials, control/treat runoff, minimize air/water discharges.Commercial development Minimize land clearing, control/treat runoff, reduce parking lots/road sizes.Stream clearing Minimize clearing, preserve vegetation, promote greenways/buffers.Channelization Decrease flooding by reducing or slowing runoff, restore streamside wetlands.Construction in floodplains Limit or eliminate development in floodplains.Boating Use marine sanitation devices and pumpout facilities.ATVs Use ATVs only in designated areas and maintained trails.

spread the word that trees and native vegetation should bepreserved, especially in new development tracts and alongstreams in our towns and cities. Those who care about theimpacts of trash and other debris may wish to participate in

What is Watershed Watch?

Watershed Watch is a citizen-ledeffort organized to get peopledown to the river and raise theirawareness of watershed issues.The Upper Cumberland and FourRivers Watershed Watch groupshave lead volunteers throughextensive training on water qualityissues, assessment data, andmonitoring method — and have agood time while doing it. Severalhundreds of volunteers havevisited stream sites all over thebasin, collecting fieldobservations on habitat and landuse, and collecting watersamples for pesticides, nutrients,metals, and conventionalparameters. Data are analyzedwith the assistance ofprofessionals and incorporatedinto maps. Each fall the public isinvited to attend a watershedconference held in each basin todiscuss the results and otherwatershed issues.

Silt fence at construction site

cleanup projects to remove these eyesores from the riverand its tributaries. We are beginning to have a betterunderstanding of how we should treat the land and itswaters in order to maintain a high level of water quality inour Commonwealth.

All of us can become more involved in protecting waterquality in our communities simply by paying moreattention to activities occurring around us. What is thestatus of water quality in your community? What indus-tries, mining, or logging activities are currently in exist-ence? What new ones may be coming to your area? How do- or will - any of these impact water quality?

If you would like more information, please contact theKentucky Division of Water or other members of the FourRivers or Upper Cumberland River Teams listed in the backof this booklet - or check out the Internet. Thank you foryour interest and your support of healthy watersheds inKentucky and Tennessee!

Web linksThere is a lot of information onthe Internet about the Four Riversarea, Cumberland River, water-shed health, and related matters.Check out these sites to learnmore about the science andpractice of watershed manage-ment in Kentucky and the nation.• Statewide context for Kentucky’s

watershed initiative and otherwatershed links - http://water.nr.state.ky.us/dow/watrshd.htm

• Ky Division of Water, WaterWatch volunteer monitoring -http://state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wwhomepg.htm

• Kentucky Division of Water - http://water.nr.state.ky.us/dow/

• Four Rivers and UpperCumberland River WatershedWatch volunteer monitoringprojects - http://water.nr.state.ky.us/watch/

• Kentucky Division of Forestry -http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/nrepc/dnr/forestry/dnrdof.html

• Kentucky Division of Conserva-tion (agric. and water) - http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/nrepc/drn/FAC_flyer.html

• Kentucky list of priority impaired(“TMDL”) streams - http://water.nr.state.ky.us/303d/

• Kentucky district of the USGeological Survey - http://130.11.24.1

• Conservation Technology –good source for agriculturalpractice recommendations -http://ctic.purdue.edu/

• Stream corridor restorationguide - http://www.usda/gov/stream_restoration/newtofc.html

Kentucky Watershed Management

Phone numbers for assistance

Four Rivers and Upper Cumberland Watershed Watch(volunteer monitoring): (800) 928 - 0045

Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (volunteermonitoring): (800) 359 - 3977

Water Watch (water body adoption and river cleanups):(502) 564 – 3410

Ohio River Sweep (Ohio River Valley SanitationCommission (cleanups): (800) 359 - 3977

Illegal dumping (Kentucky Division of Waste Management):(502) 564 – 6716

Dead animal removal reports (Ky Dept. of Agriculture):(502) 564 - 3956

Kentucky Waterways Alliance (river protection groups):(502) 524 – 1774

Forest Conservation Act (Kentucky Division of Forestry):(502) 564 - 4496

Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act:(502) 564 – 3080

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources:(502) 564 – 5448

Also to find your local:District Health Department (cleanup days, septic problems and

illegal dumping): (502) 564-4856Conservation District office (agricultural practices)

(502) 564-3080RC & D Office (agricultural practices)

(606) 224-7403County Solid Waste Coordinator (illegal dumping)

(502) 564-6716

FrameworkThis report has been produced as part of Kentucky’sWatershed Management Framework, which is a newapproach to improving the health of the state’s watersheds.1999 is the first year of a five-year planning andmanagement cycle for the Four Rivers region andCumberland River basin. During the second year, severalagencies and organizations will conduct extensivemonitoring in the region. During the third year, peoplethroughout the region will confer to decide which smallwatersheds should receive intensified attention duringyears four and five of the cycle. In year four, improvementplans will be made for the small watersheds selected, and inyear five, many agencies and organizations will implementthose plans. The cycle then begins again in 2003, with anew evaluation and a new Status Report. Contributors tothis document include members of Four Rivers and UpperCumberland River Basin Teams under the WatershedFramework (see names and organizations below).

Get connected

• North Carolina water qualityresearch center – especially foragriculture - http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/bae/programs/extension/wqg/

• Photos of recommendedresource management prac-tices - http://earthl.epa.gov/owow/nps/ex-bmps.html

• Volunteer monitoring informa-tion - http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/vol.html

• Nonpoint source information forlocal officials - http://www.lib.uconn.edu/canr/ces/nemo/nsmodule/nsdetail.html

• Center for Watershed Protection- http://www.pipeline.com/~mrrunoff/

• US EPA nonpoint sourcepollution - http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/

• US EPA wetlands information -http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/

• EPA’s Watershed InformationNetwork for data, help, and lotsof other useful watershedinformation - http://www.epa.gov/win/

• Information about small-quantitywastewater treatment options -http://www.estd.wvu.edu/nsfc/

• American Rivers, a riverprotection organization - http://www.amrivers.org/

• River Network, a river protectionorganization - http://www.rivernetwork.org/

• Cumberland River Compactand Watershed EducationOrganization - http://www.cumberlandrivercompact.com

More web sites

Printed with state and federal funds on recycled paper.

On request, this material can be made available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities. To request alternate formats or additionalcopies, contact Lee Colten, Kentucky Division of Water, 14 Reilly Road, Frankfort, KY 40601, or call (502) 564-3410.

Lee Colten, Interim Basin CoordinatorJohn Bruner, Cumberland Valley Area Dev. DistrictDanny Davis, Cumberland Valley Dist. Health Dept.Joan Garrison, Ky. Division of WaterMorgan Jones, Ky. Division of WaterRodney Hendrickson, Cumberland Valley RC&DSteve Hohmann, Abandoned Mine Lands, DSMREMatt Richey, Ky. Division of ForestryDoug Stephens, Ky. Dept. of Fish & WildlifeJohn Williams, Ky. Dept. of Fish & WildlifeDavid Duhl, Tenn. Dept. of Environment & Cons.Annie Goodhue, Cooperative Extension ServiceMargo Farnsworth, Cumberland River CompactCathy Hall, PRIDERob Miller, Cooperative Extension ServiceCheryl Witt, Cooperative Extension ServiceSteve Alexander, U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceSteve Bakaletz, Big South Fork Nat. River & Rec. AreaJack Collier, Cumberland Gap Nat. Historic ParkDave Beam, Office of Surface Mining, LexingtonMark Campbell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NashvilleRichard Tippit, U.S. Army Corps of EngineersDaniel Bond, Appalachian Science in the Public InterestJeff Litteral, Watershed WatchJerry Waddle, Rockcastle Rebirth

Robert Wise, Four Rivers Basin Coordinator AssistantMark Davis, Purchase Area Development DistrictRobert Dunn, Marshall Co. Health Dept.Craig Morris, Pennyrile Area Development DistrictDon Robertson, Pennyrile District Health Dept.Joseph Baust, Murray State UniversityJane Benson, Murray State UniversityPeter Whaley, Murray State UniversityDavid White, Hancock Biological Station, MSUEd Carroll, Ky. Division of WaterJoe Devers, Ky. Division of WaterShannon Sutton, Ky. Division of WaterDavid Duhl, Tenn. Dept. for Environmental Prot. AgencyBob Johnson, Jackson Purchase RC&D FoundationTony Luciano, Ky. Division of ForestryPaul Rister, Ky. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife ResourcesEddy Seay, Purchase District Health DepartmentJim Siress, Marshall Co. Health Dept.Charles Turner, Pennyrile RC&DBilly Smith, Tenn. Valley AuthorityDaryl Tichenor, Marshall County Cooperative Ext. ServiceSteve Alexander, U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceRick Huffines, U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceBob Sneed, U.S. Army Corps of EngineersGene Zirkle, Fort CampbellMargo Farnsworth, Cumberland River CompactKevin Murphy, Paducah-McCracken Joint Sewer AgencyDonald Swearingen, Elf Atochem North America, Inc

Four Rivers Basin TeamUpper Cumberland River Basin Team