Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007KY88B

Determination of Nutrient Sources in a Eutrophic Lake Impacted by Human Activity

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2007-03-01 End Date: 2008-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $15,000

Principal Investigators: Walter Borowski

Project Summary: Wilgreen Lake is a eutrophic system formed by damming Taylor Fork, which ultimately feeds Silver Creek and the Kentucky River. The lake is designated as an impaired lake by the EPA. Preliminary evidence suggests that the lake is subject to nutrient loading by livestock production, runoff from developed areas, and septic systems. We suspect that much of the nutrients enter the lake through septic systems that occur on half-acre lots with karst substrates. We propose to use nitrogen and perhaps oxygen isotopes, as well as microbial Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques, to identify sources of nutrient input. Once the primary sources of nutrients are identified, effective remediation strategies can be developed and implemented. The project is timely because Wilgreen Lake is now experiencing an explosion of residential development directly around its shores, which predicts added nutrient input from septic systems.