Gulf Hypoxia Program in Kentucky

Excess nutrients from fertilizer, sewage and erosion pollute local and national waters, degrading drinking water, recreational opportunities, and fishing livelihoods. The Gulf Hypoxia Program supports the twelve states in the Hypoxia Task Force with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to implement state nutrient reduction strategies.

• The Gulf Hypoxia Program funds two new flow gages with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the Jackson Purchase region to fill data gaps in DOW's  Nutrient Loads and Yields in Kentucky Study .
  •  Mayfield Creek at Lovelaceville, KY - USGS Water Data for the Nation 
  •  Obion Creek Near Arlington, KY - USGS Water Data for the Nation 
• The gages at Mayfield Creek and Obion Creek will also improve the Division of Water's ability to assist drinking water utilities, agriculture producers, and industry with water availability and drought forecasting.

• Kentucky's Gulf Hypoxia Program staff conducted a  Flow-Normalized Nutrient Loads in Kentucky  study to evaluate Kentucky's nutrient progress and needs. This study draws on long-term monitoring data to provide insights on nitrogen and phosphorus trends.

• The Gulf Hypoxia Program funds development of the Kentucky MS4 Training toolkit.
• The Kentucky Division of Water partners with the  Kentucky Stormwater Association  and  Kentucky Water Research Institute  on this stormwater toolkit, which will help smaller municipalities improve stormwater management and reduce nutrient losses to local waterways.

• Gulf Hypoxia Program staff updated Kentucky's Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control manual to a digital bilingual resource.

• The Kentucky Division of Water is expanding access to nutrient optimization tools for Kentucky wastewater treatment operators.

• The Kentucky Office of Energy Policy works with the Division of Water to provide energy efficiency solutions while enhancing nutrient treatment.
  • Gulf Hypoxia Program staff provide optimization audits at no cost to the facility and provide optimization information at operator CEU training events across the state.

• The Kentucky Division of Water is partnering with the Kentucky Division of Conservation to strategically invest in conservation practices that reduce erosion in Nutrient Priority Areas .

• The Gulf Hypoxia Program is funding cover crop and pasture renovation seeding with the Boyle County Conservation District.
  • This project is co-located with septic removal funding from the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG) to limit nutrient and bacteria sources into Lake Herrington.

• Kentucky Division of Water is working to share agriculture efforts that limit nutrient loss in an interactive "Agriculture Success Stories" module.

• The Gulf Hypoxia Program funded Ag. Water Quality Plan digital and print materials to promote plan adoption statewide and in Nutrient Priority Areas.

• The Gulf Hypoxia Program funded residential lawncare digital and print materials that promote "4R" fertilizer principles (right source, time, right place, right rate, right place).

• Gulf Hypoxia Program staff lead outreach, research, and program implementation.
  • Josiah Frey (josiah.frey@ky.gov) serves as the Nutrient Reduction & Success Coordinator.
  • Paulette Akers (paulette.akers@ky.gov) serves as the Gulf Hypoxia Program Engagement Coordinator.
• Kentucky's Gulf Hypoxia Program is also funding Nutrient Management Planning staff to assist producers through the Division of Conservation.