Kentucky Watershed Academy

Kentucky’s watershed coordinators are critical in carrying out local water quality improvement projects effectively. They are often the most visible face and voice of water quality information to local citizens and oversee many and varied watershed education and management activities. For this reason, watershed coordinators need a range of technical support and guidance from the Kentucky Division of Water and others to succeed in their generalized role within the water quality profession. To assist with this need, in 2017, the Kentucky Division of Water provided 319h Nonpoint Source Grant funding to KWRI to develop six initial training modules for the Kentucky Watershed Academy. These modules provide a strong foundation for watershed coordinators and other water quality professionals to better understand and navigate the wide range of challenges and opportunities they will inevitably confront in their daily efforts to improve water quality in Kentucky.

The workshop content was developed to allow for flexibility in future delivery by regional basin coordinators or others as local needs warrant. The training modules include workshop presentation material with speaker notes, interactive group or individual activities, and supplemental reading materials and guides. We provide the PowerPoint files for the training to increase the flexibility of use for these training materials. We do not take responsibility for adaptations or customizations of these materials.

The six core modules address the following subjects and are described in further detail below:

The Clean Water Act and Related Water Quality Laws
Water Quality Basics
Dealing with Data
Land Use Impacts and Related Best Management Practices
Likely Partners
Effective Communications

This introductory module will explain the basic components of the federal Clean Water Act, with increased emphasis on the sections that directly pertain to watershed management. Workshop participants will gain and benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the Act’s mandates and Kentucky’s players and approaches to fulfilling those mandates. A knowledge of the CWA’s key requirements will better enable watershed coordinators to offer local guidance and assistance on water quality issues. Special emphasis is given to the following sections of the Clean Water Act: 305b Reporting, 303d Listing, 304 (NPDES) Permitting, 319 (Nonpoint Source) Projects and Activities, and 401 & 404 Permitting. Additional information will be given regarding other relevant water quality laws and regulations, such as those pertaining to logging and farming, stormwater controls, safe drinking water (SDWA), mining (SMCRA), superfund sites (CERCLA), waste disposal (RCRA) and the protection of endangered species (ESA).

Module 1.1 provides an overview of Kentucky’s resources and reason for protection. Covers the goals, history, and impacts of the Clean Water Act. Brief orientation of the Clean Water Act titles and sections relevant to watershed coordinators. Provides examples of types of water quality standards. Finally, the presentation addresses the Waters of the United States definition.
Module 1.1 Workshop Agenda
Module 1.1 PowerPoint
Module 1.1 Activity: Clean Water Act Jeopardy
Module 1. 2 provides an overview of monitoring in Kentucky including the framework, monitoring types, and programs. Description of how assessment is conducted including evaluating use support, integrated report, 305(b), 303(d), and TMDLs. Context of the 319(h) non-point source management and watershed planning programs. Overview of management for non-point and point sources.
Module 1.2 PowerPoint
Attendee Worksheet
Leader Worksheet

(Answers)
KDOW Water Health Portal User’s Guide
Codes for 303(d) List Causes and Sources
2016 305(b) list
Module 1. 3 provides an overview of the KPDES permitting system including permit types, permit limits, monitoring, and reporting. Discussion of compliance and enforcement of permits. Introducing public access of permit information through the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system.
Module 1.3 PowerPoint
How to Navigate the ECHO System
Module 1.4 provides an overview of the KPDES permitting system including permit types, permit limits, monitoring, and reporting. Discussion of compliance and enforcement of permits. Introducing public access of permit information through the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system.
Module 1.4 PowerPoint
Module 1.4 Activity Option #1 : Water Quality Conundrums
Attendee Worksheet

Leader Worksheet

(Answers)
Module 1.4 Activity Option #2 : Do I Need a Permit for That?
Attendee Worksheet

Leader Worksheet

(Answers)
Supplemental Resources

This module describes the major measures of water quality that are used by citizen samplers, university researchers, environmental consulting firms, regulatory agencies and others. It provides an overview of basic field chemistry and its relevance to waterbody health then delves into more specific indicators for nutrients, pathogens, metals and other laboratory chemistry assessments. The interactions of water parameters, temporal fluctuations, and other important assessment considerations are also covered.

Module 2.1 provides an overview of terms, such as watershed, hydrologic unit code, and water quality, and overview of stream functions using the function-based pyramid for stream assessment. This presentation provides an overview of the topics to be covered in the following presentations.
Module 2.1 Workshop Agenda
Module 2.1 PowerPoint
Module 2.2 provides an overview of Hydrology and hydraulics. Concepts including evapotransporation, soil infiltration, groundwater movement and runoff, longitudinal zones, stream ordering, and stream hydrographs.
Module 2.2 PowerPoint
Module 2.3 provides an overview of geomorphology. The concepts of dynamic equilibrium, Lane’s balance, erosion, and aggradation are illustrated by animated videos, graphics, diagrams, and numerous examples. Further methods of measuring geomorphic functions including sediment and debris transport, bed composition, bank erosion rates and susceptibility, channel evolution, and riparian function are overviewed.
Module 2.3 PowerPoint
Module 2.4 overviews the EPA’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocol for evaluating habitat to relate how closely hydrology, hydraulics, and geomorphology functions can impact biological function. Examples of optimal and poor habitat for each parameter are shown.
Module 2.4 PowerPoint
Module 2.4 Activity: Rate that Habitat!
Rate that Habitat!
Habitat Datasheet
Module 2.5 overviews physical measurements, observations, and water quality parameters collected during watershed planning, including stream flow, aesthetic observations, in-situ measurements, and laboratory samples. The science and background behind the parameters are discussed as well as relationships between variables and associated water quality impacts.
Module 2.5 PowerPoint
Module 2.5 Activity: Water Quality Jeopardy
Water Quality Jeopardy
Module 2.5 overviews the concepts that biologists utilize to evaluate stream health and how biological indicator organisms can be utilized to develop aquatic health indices. Macroinvertebrates are used as a case study to illustrate how use support determinations are made.
Module 2.6 PowerPoint
LaMotte Macro Mania Adventure Kit is available for purchase Here

This module helps participants organize and interpret water quality data for effective communications in planning documents, outreach publications and informational presentations. It outlines how best to format sampling results to enable comparison with associated water quality standards or the best available benchmarks when standards are not available. Participants will also receive guidance on how to display data in graphics or maps, so that they can be more easily understood and presented to others, using such tools as Excel, ArcGIS online and Google maps.

Module 3.1 provides an overview of the watershed planning process in terms of the scientific method and each of the steps in planning data collection and analysis are overviewed. The roles of the coordinator and technical data scientist are clarified.
Module 3 Workshop Agenda
Module 3.1 PowerPoint
The goal of this presentation is to assist watershed coordinators and other water managers in developing a monitoring plan that satisfies Kentucky Division of Water requirements for watershed plan development. It provides an overview of monitoring equipment, parameters, logistics, and site selection. It also provides some brief considerations about data quality levels.
Module 3.2 PowerPoint
Tutorial on generating a watershed delineation and exporting shapefiles and hydrographic information utilizing this helpful web service.
Module 3.3 PowerPoint
Module 3.5 overviews the basic functionality of free mapping software through ArcGIS Online and Google Earth.
Module 3.5 PowerPoint
Annotating in Google Earth
Importing GIS into Google Earth
Module 3.5 Provides an overview of quality assurance and quality control and leads the participant through the major elements of a quality assurance project plan. Some common quality measurements and tips and rules of thumb to use when screening data are covered.
Module 3.5 PowerPoint
Module 3.6 overviews the concepts that biologists utilize to evaluate stream health and how biological indicator organisms can be utilized to develop aquatic health indices. Macroinvertebrates are used as a case study to illustrate how use support determinations are made.
Module 3.6 PowerPoint
Module 3.7 overviews the basic terms and concepts such as total and incremental load and yield are defined. Some modeling options to consider in calculating pollution load are introduced and the differences between a TMDL and watershed load reduction goals are considered. The process of allocating and prioritizing pollutant load and the selection of best management practices is presented. Also, load duration curves are introduced as a helpful visualization of pollutant load.
Module 3.7 PowerPoint
Module 3.8 overviews Microsoft Office support training to cover topics including, how to filter results, apply conditional formatting, and use pivot tables.
Module 3.8 PowerPoint
NWQMC Factsheets
KDOW Health Report
Water Data Sources

This module will evaluate the different land uses across the state and the ways that they can affect water quality. Participants will learn how to access and display land use coverage maps, as well as evaluate land uses for potential water quality impacts. Following the discussion of general land uses, a categorical explanation of associated best management practices will be presented, including those related to urban, agricultural, wastewater, resource extraction and forestry activities. In May 2020, Module 4 was presented in a series of webinars.

Module 4.1 starts with a review from Module 3. Then we discuss the effects of impervious surfaces, the role of soil and geology in green infrastructure, and how to find land use information. The WikiWatershed tool is introduced.
Module 4 Workshop Agenda
Module 4.1 PowerPoint
Using WikiWatershed
Module 4.2 provides an introduction of best management practices and various methods of categorizing them. Presentation walks through the steps in the process of selecting best management practices and various selection considerations.
Module 4.2 PowerPoint
Module 4.3 discusses various livestock- and crop-related BMP options available to farmers with guidance on how to initiate discussion on implementation with the agricultural community. The Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plan requirements and enforcement are also considered.
Module 4.3 PowerPoint
Module 4.4 provides a historical overview of wastewater best management practices utilized by various civilizations is used to introduce the concepts behind wastewater treatment technologies. Modern treatment options and limitations are discussed.
Module 4.4 PowerPoint
Module 4.5 provides an overview of typical targeted pollutants for urban BMPs are discussed with the concepts of green versus gray infrastructure introduced. Examples of structural and non-structural BMPs are described with some attention to municipal stormwater pollution control requirements.
Module 4.5 PowerPoint
Module 4.6 overviews the forestry industry in Kentucky is overviewed and requirements of the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act, Kentucky Forestry Conservation Act, and Master Logger Program are introduced. The Kentucky Logging BMP Field Guide is used to cover the minimum water quality BMP requirements for logging sites.
Module 4.6 PowerPoint
Module 4.7 overviews the general process and geography of mining in Kentucky are overviewed as well as the pollutants of concern and the process of acid mine drainage generation. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and Kentucky mining law requirements are introduced. The Kentucky Coal Mining Practice Guidelines for Water Quality Management are used to provide guidance on BMPs with expanded coverage on passive mine drainage treatment. Success stories from Kentucky and other states are provided as examples.
Module 4.7 PowerPoint
While stream restoration design typically requires a licensed engineer, this presentation is intended to introduce watershed coordinators to the concepts and purposes of stream restoration and the types of structures designers utilize to aid in conceptual planning. Practices are introduced according to their lateral location to the stream channel moving from the floodplain to the riparian zone, the stream banks, and finally to the channel.
Module 4.8 PowerPoint

This module could be considered a companion to the BMP component of Module 4, as it will offer guidance on developing partnerships in the pursuit of implementing specific water quality BMPs. A listing of potential partners for each BMP category (stormwater, agricultural, construction, etc.) will be provided, along with a description of the types of programs and services offered. This module will also address ways to most effectively recruit general community partners who can help with outreach and education about watershed issues. Case studies from around Kentucky will describe “success stories” in which various partners worked together to achieve watershed goals.

Introduction to Partnerships and Local Governments

his presentation answers the questions: why make partnerships, how do you get stakeholders involved, and how do you recruit and maintain volunteers. EPA stakeholder engagement guidance is supplemented with Kentucky specific examples. Some discussion on the volunteer communities’ characteristics are also provided.
Module 5 Workshop Agenda
Module 5.1 PowerPoint
Watershed planning is, by definition, locally unique. This presentation examines local government functions and jurisdictions. The interplay between local, state, and federal authority is briefly explored before taking a more in-depth examination of city and county government structure in Kentucky as well as water-related special districts
Module 5.2 PowerPoint

Habitat Improvement Partners

Module 5.3 provides a discussion of the Kentucky Ecological Field Services Office of the USFWS and their priority work areas, endangered species, and opportunities for collaboration through technical assistance, regulatory assistance, and funding.
Module 5.3 Presentation
Module 5.4 provides a summary of KDFWR’s Kentucky Wetland and Stream Mitigation Program’s history and operation, service areas, projects, and requirements. Some example projects and ideas for partnerships are discussed.
Module 5.4 Presentation
Module 5.5 provides an overview of several partners and programs related to flooding. The programs include the National Flood Insurance Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance, Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities, and other grants and funding opportunities. Partners include Kentucky Emergency Management, Department for Local Government, Kentucky Division of Water, US Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, University of Kentucky, insurance agents, local floodplain coordinators, and others.
Module 5.5 Presentation
In this presentation, Shelly Morris of the Kentucky Chapter of the Nature Conservancy discusses current environmental projects across the state and ways in which they are looking to work with partners.
Module 5.6 Presentation

Agricultural Partners: Part 1

This presentation provides a broad overview of agriculture in Kentucky. Census data on Kentucky farmers is used to detail the characteristics of the farm community across the state. The concepts of farmer-led watershed management are introduced. Agricultural organizations are introduced by categories of local, state, federal, nonprofits, and commodity groups.
Module 5.7 Presentation
This presentation primarily focuses on the water quality funding programs while also touching on technical assistance provide by the NRCS. Programs include Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP), and Watershed Surveys and Planning (WSP). The most common BMPs are overviewed as well as where funding is allocated statewide.
Module 5.8 Presentation
In this presentation, the Conservation Reserve Program in the Farm Service Agency is discussed. The eligibility and assistance provided for specific practices are detailed.
Module 5.9 Presentation

Agricultural Partners: Part 2

This presentation begins with the history and purpose of conservation districts and how they work with various other partners to implement cost share practices and provide education and outreach. Some of the special districts within conservation districts are explained.
Module 5.10 Presentation
This presentation begins with the history and purpose of conservation districts and how they work with various other partners to implement cost share practices and provide education and outreach. Some of the special districts within conservation districts are explained.
Module 5.11 Presentation
The relationships between the Tobacco Master Settlement funds and Agricultural Development Funds is explained, with emphasis on the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) applications and investment areas.
Module 5.12 Presentation
Module 5.13 provides an overview of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, this presentation covers the land-grant mission and history, the structure of extension and its programs, services and resources for watershed projects, and the best ways to work with extension.
Module 5.13 Presentation

Wastewater Partners

This presentation focuses of the Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) and Community Facilities (CF) program objectives, applicants, purposes, types of financial assistances, and rates and terms.
Module 5.14 Presentation
In Module 5.15, a registered sanitarian at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services provides an overview of local health department operations with a focus on septic system installation and inspection, as well as waste disposal and pumping.
Module 5.15 Presentation
Module 5.16 provides an overview of the scope of services covered by RCAP, including drinking water and wastewater utility training, project facilitation, and funding, is covered in terms of technical, managerial, and financial assistance as well as GIS mapping and other services. The award-winning Lincoln County Sanitation District formation and homeowner assistance program are showcased as a success story of the services RCAP offers in conjunction with partners.
Module 5.16 Presentation
Module 5.17 provides an overview of the services of the Bluegrass Area Development District are featured as an example of the types of services Area Development Districts (ADDs) offer. GIS web mapping services and data collection efforts are highlighted as are sanitation district roundtables, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Advisory Committees, and several example projects.
Module 5.17 Presentation

Mining and Forestry Partners

In this presentation, the silviculture requirements of the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act and the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act are defined, as well as the roles of various organizations and their programs including the Kentucky Master Logger program, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Kentucky Department of Forestry, Kentucky Association of Consulting Foresters, and Kentucky Forest Industries Association.
Module 5.18 Presentation
This presentation covers the history of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and the efforts of the Kentucky Abandoned Mine Lands in investigating mine hazards, reclamation and abatement, bond forfeiture, extension of waterlines and treating acid mine drainage. They also discussed their pilot grant program. The process of applying for pilot grants is covered in depth with some examples of the types of projects that are funded.
Module 5.19 Presentation
In this presentation, the mission and activities of the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) are overviewed. The inspection process and non-compliance remedial measures are described with highlights of enforcement trends and mechanisms. The long-term treatment list and requirements are described. Methods for citizens to request inspections or access data are also detailed. Non-coal mining and explosives programs are also briefly surveyed.
Module 5.20 Presentation

Urban Partners: Part 1

This presentation provides a private consultant perspective on how to provide added value to landscaping projects through water quality best management practices. Ways to think about approaching landowners as potential clients and meet their needs while also improving the water quality are discussed with numerous example projects.
Module 5.21 Presentation
In this presentation, the Banklick Watershed Council describes how they worked with Sanitation District #1, Sustainable Streams, and Strand Associates on a pilot program to utilize simple retrofits on detention basin outlets as well as more extensive bioretention retrofits to reduce the peak flows for small storms and provide water quality benefits. The costs and benefits of various approaches as well as lessons learned are evaluated.
Module 5.22 Presentation
The Northern Kentucky Solid Waste Management Area provides an overview of their services as an example of the types of services provided by solid waste coordinators in each county. Their operations, mission, and programs are covered with examples of annual statistics and opportunities for collaboration.
Module 5.23 Presentation

Urban Partners: Part 2

In this presentation, the relationship between planning and zoning and water quality is explored. The presentation describes the job responsibilities and regulations that apply to planning with an emphasis on the Comprehensive Plan, ordinances, and planning studies. Examples of some common ordinances affecting water quality are provided as well as items to include in planning studies. The process of development and the interactions between developers, engineers, contractors, and local government is examined to show the importance of ordinances in improving water quality. A case study of the interactions between a strong environmental industry and a local government is provided.
Module 5.24 Presentation
This presentation provides a practical exploration of the challenges and opportunities for water quality improvement associated with parks and recreation departments. The city of Lexington describes their programs but provides a comparison of other parks programs and their strengths and weaknesses. This presentation provides extremely practical advice for approaching parks and examples of successful projects.
Module 5.25 Presentation
The Northern Kentucky Solid Waste Management Area provides an overview of their services as an example of the types of services provided by solid waste coordinators in each county. Their operations, mission, and programs are covered with examples of annual statistics and opportunities for collaboration.
Module 5.23 Presentation

This presentation’s goal is to help participants learn how to prepare an effective meeting and to practice core facilitation skills. It covers meeting preparation, execution (including facilitation skills and techniques), how to deal with disruptive behaviors, and meeting follow up. The presentation includes interactive role playing, feedback mechanisms, and polling.
Module 6 Workshop Agenda
Module 6 Worksheets
Module 6 PowerPoint
Module 6.2 PowerPoint
This presentation provides an overview of the six steps of developing an outreach campaign which the following presentations will describe in detail. It also introduces the spreadsheet tool, which serves as a guide through these steps.
Module 6.3 PowerPoint
During this presentation, the overarching framework of the outreach campaign is established by defining forces, goals, objectives, and behaviors. Participants are encouraged to either get feedback from a small group on an outreach campaign they are currently working on or to work through one of the generic examples provided.
Module 6.4 PowerPoint
This presentation breaks down the process of identifying and analyzing the target audience into nine steps and utilizes four worksheets to help work through this process. This includes examining the potential audience and then selecting the target audience most likely to achieve the greatest impact. For this audience, guidance is provided on how to gather information to characterize and understand the audience and then summarize this audience characteristics through profiles.
Module 6.5 PowerPoint
In this presentation, Shane Barton of Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) describes how watershed coordinators can engage minority and disadvantaged communities through expanded public involvement and including environmental issues within larger social contexts. He examines some of the Kentucky geographic implications between environmental problems and minority and disadvantaged communities as well as how improvements to water resources can improve the local economy.
Module 4.5 PowerPoint
In this presentation, an overview is provided of quantitative survey questionnaires and qualitative descriptive social research through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and community forums, direct observation, or social mapping. The presentation provides some tips and practical advice to get started using these tools. It also provides some national and local examples where social survey research tools have been utilized effectively.
Module 6.7 PowerPoint
This presentation provides a description of three types of outreach campaign evaluations: process evaluations, impact evaluations, and context evaluations and how these evaluations can be used to evaluate the success of the outreach campaign. Participants are encouraged to think through each step of their outreach process and build in measures of success. Examples of successful evaluations measures are provided.
Module 6.8 PowerPoint
In this presentation, research demonstrating five principles for effective communication is explored in some depth. How to brand a program is briefly overviewed, and then COMPASS Message Box is explored as a method to help craft a better message. Interactive sessions provide time to critique one another’s messages and test out professional elevator pitches.
Module 6.9 PowerPoint
This presentation covers packaging and delivery of the message by highlighting some of the best Kentucky examples of each media type. The developers of the highlighted examples are provided with a few minutes to discuss how they packaged and delivered their outreach message.
Module 6.10 PowerPoint

Kentucky Watershed Academy

Address

Mining and Minerals Bldg.
310 Columbia Ave., Lexington, KY 40506

Contact

859-257-1299

kwri@uky.edu

UK Directory

Equal Opportunity Employer

Privacy Policy

Kentucky Watershed Academy

Address

Mining and Minerals Bldg. 310 Columbia Ave., Lexington, KY 40506

Contact

859-257-1299

kwri@uky.edu

UK Directory

Equal Opportunity Employer

Privacy Policy

Mining and Minerals Bldg.
310 Columbia Ave., Lexington, KY 40506