Groundwater Assessment for Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts and Spring Basin Delineations within Sub-watersheds of the Salt River Basin: Beargrass Creek and Sinking Creek Final Report By Robert J. Blair and Joseph A. Ray (retired) Kentucky Division of Water Watershed Management Branch Groundwater Section 200 Fair Oaks Lane Frankfort, KY 40601 (502)564-3410 [email protected] Grant Number: C9994861-03 Workplan Number: N/A (Re-obligated Funds) NPS Project Number: 03-03 MOA or Grant Agreement Number: N/A Project Period: April 2004 to March 2009 “The Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability. The EEC will provide, on request, reasonable accommodations including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities. To request materials in an alternative format, contact the Kentucky Division of Water, 200 Fair Oaks Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 or call (502) 564-3410. Hearing and speech-impaired persons can contact the agency by using the Kentucky Relay Service, a toll-free telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD). For voice to TDD, call 800-648-6057. For TDD to voice, call 800-648-6056. Funding for this project as provided in part by a grant from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) as authorized by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1987, §319(h) Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant #(C9994861-03). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the US EPA or DOW nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement. This document was printed on recycled paper.” TABLE of CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... 1 CONVERSION FACTORS .......................................................................................................................... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 2 INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND .................................................................................................... 3 Project Description .................................................................................................................................... 4 Previous Investigations ............................................................................................................................. 5 PHYSIOGRAPHIC and HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING ........................................................................... 6 Salt River Basin ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Karst Hydrology and Groundwater Sensitivity…………………………………….……………………6 Beargrass Creek Watershed ...................................................................................................................... 8 Hydrogeologic Setting………………..………………………………………………………………..9 Land Use .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Groundwater Use ................................................................................................................................. 12 Sinking Creek Watershed ....................................................................................................................... 13 Hydrogeologic Setting ......................................................................................................................... 14 Land Use .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Groundwater Use ................................................................................................................................. 18 MATERIALS and METHODS ................................................................................................................... 19 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 19 Sample Collection Methods .................................................................................................................... 20 Graphical Methods .................................................................................................................................. 21 Site Selection .......................................................................................................................................... 21 Tracer Tests Methods .............................................................................................................................. 22 RESULTS and DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 25 Water Quality Results – Beargrass Creek ............................................................................................... 30 Warm-water Aquatic Habitat .............................................................................................................. 30 Primary Contact Recreation ................................................................................................................ 32 Water Quality Results – Sinking Creek .................................................................................................. 32 Warm-water Aquatic Habitat .............................................................................................................. 32 Groundwater Tracing Investigations ...................................................................................................... 33 Previous Investigations ........................................................................................................................... 34 Spring Descriptions and Tracer Test Results – Beargrass Creek ............................................................ 35 A’Sturgus Station Spring .................................................................................................................... 35 Steinrock Spring ................................................................................................................................. 37 A.B. Sawyer Gate Spring .................................................................................................................... 38 Bowling Blvd. Spring ......................................................................................................................... 39 Cypress Pointe Springs ....................................................................................................................... 40 Mockingbird Valley Springs ............................................................................................................... 42 Windy Hills Spring ............................................................................................................................. 44 Oxmoor Spring ................................................................................................................................... 44 Upper Oxmoor Spring ........................................................................................................................ 45 Culvert Spring above Watterson ......................................................................................................... 45 Brown Cemetery Culvert Spring ........................................................................................................ 46 Weicher Creek Diversion Spring ........................................................................................................ 47 Low Dutch Station Spring .................................................................................................................. 47 Hole 10 Spring .................................................................................................................................... 49 Nunnlea Spring ................................................................................................................................... 50 Zenderhouse Spring ............................................................................................................................ 50 Ray Spring .......................................................................................................................................... 52 Culvert & Confluence Springs ............................................................................................................ 53 Buechel Spring .................................................................................................................................... 54 Culvert Spring @ Genfab ................................................................................................................... 55 Sanitary Sewer – Karst Interactions .................................................................................................... 56 Tracer Tests Not Recovered................................................................................................................ 64 Groundwater Sensitivity Verification ................................................................................................. 65 Spring