Research Accomplishment Reports 2010

Stream/Aquifer Interface: Understanding the Riparian Corridor

S.R. Workman
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

 

Non-Technical Summary

Groundwater contributes a significant portion of the flow in streams and rivers. The area adjacent to the streams, the ripairian corridor, should be an ideal location to enhance the quality of the flowing water. The proposed research will examine water and solute transport between groundwater and surface waters particularly at or near the interface where groundwater discharges into surface waters (riparian zone). The purpose of the study is to determine if there are methods to enhance water quality.

2010 Project Description

The Cane Run Watershed Project finished its first phase with the acceptance of the Cane Run Watershed Based Plan. The second phase of the project is the implementation of riparian best management practices in the watershed. A PhD dissertation was completed on the topic of hydrologic modeling of stream corridors in Kentucky.

2010 Impact

A key change in action in the Cane Run Watershed was the implementation of recycling at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) held in Lexington during the fall of 2010. Total recovered materials (recycling and compost) was 175,220 pounds compared to 140,640 pounds that was taken to the landfill. Approximately 56% of the total waste stream was recycled. In addition to the WEG, the city of Lexington has started doing sanitary sewer analysis to determine where leaking pipes are located. This will have a direct effect on the Cane Run project outcomes and is part of the recommendations of the Cane Run Watershed Based Plan.

2010 Publications

Palanisamy, B. 2010. Streamflow Prediction using GIS for the Kentucky River Basin, PhD Dissertation, University of Kentucky, KY 181 pgs.