Water in Kentucky: Natural History, Communities, and Conservation

by Brian D. Lee (Editor), Daniel I. Carey (Editor), Alice L. Jones (Editor)

Overview

Home to sprawling Appalachian forests, rolling prairies, and the longest cave system in the world, Kentucky is among the most ecologically diverse states in the nation. Lakes, rivers, and springs have shaped and nourished life in the Commonwealth for centuries, and water has played a pivotal role in determining Kentucky's physical, cultural, and economic landscapes. The management and preservation of this precious natural resource remain a priority for the state's government and citizens.

In this generously illustrated book, experts from a variety of fields explain how water has defined regions across the Commonwealth. Together, they illuminate the ways in which this resource has affected the lives of Kentuckians since the state's settlement, exploring the complex relationship among humans, landscapes, and waterways. They examine topics such as water quality, erosion and sediment control, and emerging water management approaches. Through detailed analysis and case studies, the contributors offer scholars, practitioners, policy makers, and general readers a wide perspective on the state's valuable water resources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813168692
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	06/29/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	510
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Brian D. Lee is associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Kentucky. Daniel I. Carey is a retired geologist with the Kentucky Geological Survey at the University of Kentucky. Alice L. Jones is professor of geosciences at Eastern Kentucky University.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 The Waters of Kentucky Daniel I. Carey 3

2 A Cartographic View of Kentucky's Watershed and Landscapes: The Early Years and Modern Accomplishments Daniel I. Carey 17

3 Springs and the Settlement of Pioneer Kentucky Gary A. O'Dell 27

4 Water and Wastewater Service for the Commonwealth of Kentucky Roger Recktenwald 40

5 The American Dream and the Water Bounty in Appalachian Kentucky John R. Burch Jr. 54

6 Appalachia: Gathered at the River Sam Adams 62

7 Life on the River Jamey Wiglesworth 69

8 The Martin County Coal-Waste Spill and Beyond: Reflections and Suggestions Shaunna L. Scott Stephanie M. McSpirit 73

9 Protecting Water Resources with Streamside Management Zones at Robinson Forest Christopher D. Barton Emma L. Witt Jeffrey W. Stringer 81

10 The Mighty Elkhorn: Our Home Creek Zina Merkin 88

11 Where Five Rivers Meet: The Far Western Waters of Kentucky Susan P. Hendricks 103

12 Karst: Shaped by Water from the Inside Out James C. Currens 116

13 Water Quality and Natural Resources in the Green River Basin Brad D. Lee Tanja N. Williamson Angela S. Crain 133

14 Wetlands of Kentucky: Connecting Landscapes and Waterways Stephen C. Richter Michelle Guidugli-Cook David R. Brown 151

15 Reconnecting through Stream Restoration Carmen T. Agouridis 163

16 Urban Water Management: Responding to Federal Regulation Jack Schieffer 170

17 Looking to the Past, Designing and Demonstrating Alternative Methods Today to Address Urban Stormwater Challenges Jason Hale 179

18 Who Pooped and How It Was Pound: One Scientist's Story of Source Tracking Fecal Bacteria in an Inner Bluegrass Watershed Tricia Coakley 189

19 The Watershed Atlas Project: A Different Way to Look at the Commonwealth Brian D. Lee Corey L. Wilson Angela Schörgendorfer 193

20 Reinventing Water-Landscape Monitoring and Management in the Age of Geoenabled Environmental Sensor Webs and Social Networks Demetrio P. Zourarakis 202

21 Water as the Context for Community-Based Science Projects: Teaching the Next Generation Carol Hanley Kelly Taylor 213

22 Using Market-Based Tools to Protect and Improve Water Quality in Kentucky Wuyang Hu 223

23 Water and People at the Confluence Amanda Abnee Gumbert 226

Contributors 233

Index 239

Editorial Reviews

Water in Kentucky is a labor of love and a remarkable example of persistence and commitment by its editors Brian D. Lee, Daniel I. Carey, and Alice L. Jones, and a wide variety of invited contributors. This book goes a long way toward weaving together many perspectives to create a better overall picture of the relevance of water in Kentucky.

Groundwater

Simply outstanding! Water in Kentucky offers an exciting close-up view of what happens to the water that falls on the Commonwealth. You'll be fascinated by the many innovative projects your neighbors are implementing to clean polluted runoff and to restore attractive wetlands and streams. This volume will guide you in taking action to improve water quality in your community for the benefit of people, plants, and wildlife.

Thomas R. Biebighauser

This collection of 23 essays expertly covers the intricate relationship between water and our daily lives. These essays could easily serve as springboards for conversation in conservation and policy implementation for the future. This book stands as an important addition to the study of water resources in Kentucky.

Kentucky Libraries

"Simply outstanding! Water in Kentucky offers an exciting close-up view of what happens to the water that falls on the Commonwealth. You'll be fascinated by the many innovative projects your neighbors are implementing to clean polluted runoff and to restore attractive wetlands and streams. This volume will guide you in taking action to improve water quality in your community for the benefit of people, plants, and wildlife." — Thomas R. Biebighauser, author of Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair

"This collection of 23 essays expertly covers the intricate relationship between water and our daily lives. These essays could easily serve as springboards for conversation in conservation and policy implementation for the future. This book stands as an important addition to the study of water resources in Kentucky." — Kentucky Libraries

" Water in Kentucky is a labor of love and a remarkable example of persistence and commitment by its editors Brian D. Lee, Daniel I. Carey, and Alice L. Jones, and a wide variety of invited contributors. This book goes a long way toward weaving together many perspectives to create a better overall picture of the relevance of water in Kentucky." — Groundwater

From the Publisher