Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2015KY248B

Investigating karst hydrology influences on harmful algal blooms in two Kentucky lakes

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2015 Start Date: 2015-03-01 End Date: 2016-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $4,964 Total Non-Federal Funds: $9,929

Principal Investigators: Jason Polk

Project Summary: We propose a study to examine the influences of karst hydrological sources of contamination as the potential cause of harmful algal blooms in Nolin River Lake and Rough River Lake in Kentucky. The main goal of the project is to discover the level of influence that karst inputs may have on the eutrophication of the reservoirs primarily by examining nutrient inputs and fecal coliform bacteria contamination, in addition to hydrometeorological influences. This project will involve collecting high-resolution water quality data and reducing it in a way that will be communicable to the public to help enhance behavioral changes to minimize possible contaminant inputs that increase the likelihood and proliferation of freshwater harmful algal blooms.