Prepared in cooperation with the 

Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water

Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected 

Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 

1979–2004 

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5027 

Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected 

Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in 

Kentucky, 1979–2004 

By Angela S. Crain and Gary R. Martin 

Prepared in cooperation with the 

Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water

Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5027 

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2009

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Division of Water, Grant # C9994861-05 KY.

Suggested citation:

Crain, Angela S., and Martin, Gary R., 2009, Trends in surface-water quality at selected ambient-network stations in 

Kentucky, 1979–2004: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5027, 61 p. 
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................2

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................2

Description of Study Area ...................................................................................................................6

Population .....................................................................................................................................6

Physiography and Geology ........................................................................................................6

Land Use and Land Cover...........................................................................................................9

Climate...........................................................................................................................................9

Hydrology ......................................................................................................................................9

Data Collection.............................................................................................................................................12

Station Selection, Period of Record, and Data Screening...........................................................13

Estimates of Daily Mean Discharge ................................................................................................13

Trend Analyses.............................................................................................................................................16

Uncensored Seasonal Kendall Test.................................................................................................16

Tobit-Regression Test.........................................................................................................................16

Flow-Adjusted Trends in Concentrations........................................................................................16

Issues with Long-Term Trend Analyses ..........................................................................................17

Trends in Surface-Water Quality...............................................................................................................17

Physical Properties.............................................................................................................................17

Chloride and Sulfate...........................................................................................................................21

Iron and Manganese..........................................................................................................................25

Nutrients...............................................................................................................................................25

Bacteria................................................................................................................................................28

Summary and Conclusions.........................................................................................................................30

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................31

Appendix 1. Percent land cover of watersheds represented by selected Kentucky 

Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water ambient 

water-quality network stations, 1992..............................................................................55

Appendix 2. Percent land cover of watersheds represented by selected Kentucky 

Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water ambient 

water-quality network stations, 2001..............................................................................59
iv

Figures

1. Map showing location of water-quality stations in the statewide ambientmonitoring network selected for trends analysis, 1979–2004 ...............................................3

2. Graph showing total population in Kentucky, 2005 .................................................................7

3–19. Maps showing:

3. Physiographic regions of Kentucky and location of selected stations 

for trends analysis, 1979–2004...........................................................................................8

4. (a.) Land cover within Kentucky, 1992, and (b.) land cover within 

Kentucky, 2001....................................................................................................................10

5. Trends in water temperature at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................20

6. Trends in specific conductance of water samples at selected waterquality stations, 1979–2004...............................................................................................20

7. Trends in pH of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................22

8. Trends in dissolved oxygen in water at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................22

9. Trends in hardness of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................23

10. Trends in total suspended solids of water samples at selected waterquality stations, 1979–2004...............................................................................................23

11. Trends in chloride of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................24

12. Trends in sulfate of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................24

13. Trends in iron of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................26

14. Trends in manganese of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 

1979–2004 ............................................................................................................................26

15. Trends in total phosphorus of water samples at selected water-quality 

stations, 1979–2004............................................................................................................27

16. Trends in total nitrogen of water samples at selected water-quality 

stations, 1979–2004............................................................................................................27

17. Trends in total Kjeldahl nitrogen of water samples at selected waterquality stations, 1979–2004...............................................................................................28

18. Trends in nitrite plus nitrate of water samples at selected water-quality 

stations, 1979–2004............................................................................................................29

19. Trends in fecal coliform of water samples at selected water-quality 

stations, 1979–2004............................................................................................................29
v

Tables

1. Station information for selected Kentucky ambient water-quality monitoring 

network stations for trend analysis ...........................................................................................4

2. Classification scheme of Anderson level I and II systems used with the 

National Land Cover Data 1992 and 2001, in this study ........................................................11

3. Percentage of land cover for Kentucky from the National Land Cover Data 

datasets, 1992 and 2001, using Anderson Level I classifications .......................................11

4. Water-quality constituents and properties selected for trend analysis in Kentucky......12

5. Estimates of daily mean discharge for ambient water-quality monitoring network 

stations with no available discharge or incomplete discharge records...........................14

6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected 

ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004...................33

7. Summary of trends results of water-quality data of watersheds represented 

by selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, 

1979–2004 .....................................................................................................................................18

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

yard (yd) 0.9144 meter (m)

meter (m) 39.370 inch (in.)

Area

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

cubic foot per second per square 

mile [(ft3/s)/mi2]

0.01093 cubic meter per second per square 

kilometer [(m3/s)/km2]

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

 °F=(1.8×°C)+32 

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

 °C=(°F-32)/1.8

Conversion Factors, Abbreviations, and Acronyms 
vi

Abbreviations and Acronyms

BMU Basin Management Unit

KDOW Kentucky Division of Water

LOC line of organic correlation

NH4-N ammonia-nitrogen

NLCD National Land Cover Data

NO2 + NO3-N nitrite plus nitrate-nitrogen

OLS ordinary-least-squares

STORET Storage and Retrieval water-quality database

TKN total Kjeldahl nitrogen

TN total nitrogen

TP total phosphorus

TSS total suspended solids

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 

25°C).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are in milligrams per liter (mg/L), iron and 

manganese in water given in micrograms per liter, hardness given in milligrams per liter as 

CaCO3.
Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected AmbientMonitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004 

By Angela S. Crain and Gary R. Martin 

Abstract 

Increasingly complex water-management decisions 

require water-quality monitoring programs that provide data 

for multiple purposes, including trend analyses, to detect 

improvement or deterioration in water quality with time. 

Understanding surface-water-quality trends assists resource 

managers in identifying emerging water-quality concerns, 

planning remediation efforts, and evaluating the effectiveness 

of the remediation. This report presents the results of a study 

conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation 

with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water, to analyze and summarize long-term 

water-quality trends of selected properties and water-quality 

constituents in selected streams in Kentucky’s ambient stream 

water-quality monitoring network.

Trends in surface-water quality for 15 properties and 

water-quality constituents were analyzed at 37 stations with 

drainage basins ranging in size from 62 to 6,431 square miles. 

Analyses of selected physical properties (temperature, specific 

conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, hardness, and suspended 

solids), for major ions (chloride and sulfate), for selected 

metals (iron and manganese), for nutrients (total phosphorus, 

total nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrite plus nitrate), and 

for fecal coliform were compiled from the Commonwealth’s 

ambient water-quality monitoring network. Trend analyses 

were completed using the S-Plus statistical software program 

S-Estimate Trend (S-ESTREND), which detects trends in 

water-quality data. The trend-detection techniques supplied 

by this software include the Seasonal Kendall nonparametric 

methods for use with uncensored data or data censored with 

only one reporting limit and the Tobit-regression parametric 

method for use with data censored with multiple reporting 

limits. One of these tests was selected for each property and 

water-quality constituent and applied to all station records so 

that results of the trend procedure could be compared among 

stations. Flow-adjustment procedures were used with these 

techniques at all stations to remove the effects of streamflow 

on water-quality variability. Flow adjustments were used for 

all constituents, except temperature. A decreasing trend indicates a decrease in concentration of a particular constituent; 

whereas, an increasing trend indicates an increase in concentration and potential degradation in water quality.

Trend results varied statewide by station and by physical property and water-quality constituent. The results for all 

stations and all physical properties and water-quality constituents examined had at least one statistically significant (p-value 

<0.05) increasing or decreasing trend during the specified 

period of record. Water temperature and concentrations of 

dissolved oxygen had no significant decreasing trends at any 

station. Water temperature had one significant increasing trend 

at the South Fork Cumberland River near Blue Heron station. 

Specific conductance and concentrations of hardness had one 

significant decreasing trend at the South Fork Cumberland 

River near Blue Heron station. pH also had a significant 

decreasing trend at the Mud River near Gus station. Concentrations of total suspended solids had 1 increasing trend at 

the Kentucky River at High Bridge station and 10 decreasing trends with 5 of those stations located in the Cumberland 

River Basin.

Major ions analyzed for trends included chloride and sulfate. Concentrations of chloride at the 37 stations had increasing trends at 15 stations, decreasing trends at 3 stations, and 

no significant trend in concentration over time at 19 stations. 

Most of the increasing trends in concentrations of chloride are 

located in the northern part of Kentucky, possibly indicating 

an increase in the use of road salts for road deicing and (or) 

the result of resource extraction (oil, gas, and coal). Increasing trends of sulfate concentrations were detected at seven 

stations, all located in the Appalachian Region of eastern Kentucky, where water quality in streams is potentially affected by 

surface mining. Two stations with the largest median concentrations of sulfate had no trend.

Concentrations of total iron had statistically significant 

increasing (one station) and decreasing (four stations) trends 

scattered in the eastern part of Kentucky, where high concentrations of total iron are common. The Tygarts Creek near 

Lynn station had a significant increasing trend in total iron; 

although, an explanation for this increase is beyond the scope 

of this report. Five stations had median concentrations of total 

iron greater than 1,000 micrograms per liter, but none had a 

statistically significant trend. Concentrations of total manganese had increasing trends at 2 stations, decreasing trends at 

13 stations, and no significant trend in concentration over time 

at 22 stations. All six monitoring stations in the Cumberland 

River Basin had decreasing concentrations of total manganese, 
2 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

possibly because of a decline in coal extraction. The median 

concentration of total manganese exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s secondary drinking-water standard 

(50 micrograms per liter) for total manganese at 29 stations. 

Eleven of these stations had decreasing trends, 2 stations had 

increasing trends, and 16 stations had no trend in concentrations of total manganese.

Trend analysis for all nitrogen constituents analyzed 

indicated no trends at 25 stations. Concentrations of total 

nitrogen had two significant increasing trends at the Little 

Sandy at Argillite station and at the Little River near Cadiz 

station. Trend analysis for concentrations of total phosphorus 

had 14 decreasing trends and 4 increasing trends. Three of the 

four stations with increasing trends in total phosphorus were 

located in the Kentucky River Basin; the other station, Green 

River near Woodbury, was located in the Green River Basin. 

Trends for concentrations of ammonia were not performed 

because concentrations of ammonia were highly censored 

(> 50 percent) for the majority of stations.

Trend analysis for concentrations of fecal coliform 

showed 16 significant decreasing trends and 3 significant 

increasing trends, statewide. Every major drainage basin 

had at least one station with a significant decreasing trend in 

concentration of fecal coliform, except the Middle Ohio–Little 

Miami River Basin. This basin only contains one ambient 

water-quality monitoring network station, (Kinniconick Creek 

near Tannery.

Introduction

The quality of water in Kentucky streams is an important 

natural resource for the Commonwealth of Kentucky with over 

90,000 mi of streams (Kentucky Energy and Environment 

Cabinet, 2008a). Human health and the health of terrestrial 

and aquatic life are affected by the quality of water in Kentucky streams. Complex water-management decisions increasingly require water-quality monitoring programs that provide 

data for multiple purposes, including trend analyses to detect if 

water quality has improved, deteriorated, or remained constant 

(stable) with time. 

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water has the responsibility of monitoring the surface-water quality of Kentucky streams. This is 

a difficult and expensive task, considering the large number 

of constituents and stations that need to be monitored. Thus, 

the need to monitor trends in water quality must be balanced 

against the increasing costs of monitoring programs. A suitable 

way to assist with balancing costs is through the analysis of 

long-term water-quality data for trends.

In 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–

Kentucky Division of Water, initiated a study in the detection 

of trends to evaluate potential trends in selected water-quality 

properties and constituents at selected ambient water-quality 

monitoring network stations in Kentucky (fig. 1 and table 1). 

A trend in surface-water quality is a statistically significant 

change over time in the biological, chemical, or physical 

characteristics of water. Understanding surface-water-quality 

trends assists resource managers in identifying emerging 

water-quality concerns, planning remediation efforts, evaluating the effectiveness of the remediation, and possible modifications to the parameter suite.

Trends in surface-water quality for 15 properties and 

water-quality constituents were analyzed at 37 stations with 

drainage basins ranging in size from 62 to 6,431 mi2. Analyses 

of selected physical properties (temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, hardness, and suspended solids), 

major ions (chloride, sulfate), selected metals (iron, manganese), nutrients, and fecal coliform were compiled from the 

Commonwealth’s ambient water-quality monitoring network. 

Trend analyses were completed using the S-Plus statistical 

program S-Estimate Trend (S-ESTREND), which detects 

trends in water-quality data. The trend-detection techniques 

supplied by this program include the Seasonal Kendall nonparametric methods for use with uncensored data or data censored with only one reporting limit (Hirsch and others, 1982) 

and the Tobit-regression parametric method for use with data 

censored with multiple reporting limits (Cohn, 1988). One of 

these tests was selected for each property and water-quality 

constituent and applied to all station records so that results of 

the trend procedure could be compared among stations.

Purpose and Scope

This report presents the results of long-term trend analysis of surface-water quality for 15 water-quality properties and 

constituents at 37 ambient water-quality stations in Kentucky. 

Water-quality records for these stations were retrieved from 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) Legacy 

Data Center and Modernized Storage and Retrieval (STORET) 

database, screened, and analyzed for select periods of record 

during the water years 1979–2004 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004). The selected water-quality monitoring 

stations cover all of the major river basins in Kentucky.

Detailed analyses of how the detected trends relate to 

hydrogeology, land-use changes, population distribution, 

hydrologic modifications, and pollution sources is beyond the 

scope of this report; however, some supporting information is 

presented to provide assistance in the interpretation of detected 

trends.
Figure 1. Location of water-quality stations in the statewide ambient-monitoring network selected for trends analysis, 1979–2004. 

Figure 1. Location of water-quality stations in the statewide ambient-monitoring network selected for t
Table 1. Station information for selected Kentucky ambient water-quality monitoring network stations for trend analysis. —Continued [KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mi2, square mile; WV, West Virginia] Map reference number (figure 1) KDOW station name KDOW station number USGS station number Drainage area (mi2) Latitude (decimal degrees) Longitude (decimal degrees) 

1 Tug Fork at Kermit, WV PRI002 03214500 1,280 37.838 -82.410 Big S2 Levisa Fork near Pikeville PRI006 03209500 1,238 37.464 -82.526 Big S3 Levisa Fork near Louisa PRI064 03215000 2,326 38.081 -82.600 Big S4 Tygarts Creek at Load PRI048 03217000 242 38.599 -82.953 Midd5 Little Sandy at Argillite PRI049 03216500 522 38.491 -82.834 Midd6 Kinniconick Creek near Tannery PRI063 03237250 175 38.574 -83.188 Midd7 South Fork Licking River at Morgan PRI059 03252500 839 38.603 -84.401 Licki8 North Fork Licking River at Milford PRI060 03251400 290 38.597 -84.156 Licki9 Licking River at Claysville PRI061 03249500 1,993 38.521 -84.183 Licki10 Licking River at West Liberty PRI062 03248640 327 37.915 -83.262 Licki11 Eagle Creek at Glencoe PRI022 03291500 437 38.706 -84.826 Kent12 Kentucky River at Frankfort (Lock 4) PRI024 03287500 5,412 38.213 -84.873 Kent13 North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson PRI031 03280000 1,101 37.551 -83.384 Kent14 Middle Fork Kentucky River at Tallega PRI032 03281000 537 37.555 -83.594 Kent15 South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville PRI033 03281500 722 37.475 -83.671 Kent16 Beech Fork near Maud PRI041 03300400 436 37.833 -84.296 Kent17 Dix River near Danville PRI045 03285000 318 37.642 -84.661 Kent18 Red River at Clay City PRI046 03283500 362 37.865 -83.933 Kent19 Kentucky River near Trapp PRI058 03282300 3,246 37.847 -84.081 Kent20 Kentucky River near Lockport (Lock 2) PRI066 03290500 6,180 38.445 -84.957 Kent21 Kentucky River at High Bridge (Lock 7) PRI067 03286500 5,036 37.819 -84.706 Kent22 Salt River at Shepherdsville PRI029 03298500 1,197 37.985 -85.718 Lowe23 Salt River near Glensboro PRI052 03295400 172 38.002 -85.060 Lowe24 Rolling Fork near Lebanon Junction PRI057 03310500 1,375 37.823 -85.748 Lowe25 Cumberland River near Burkesville PRI007 03414110 6,053 36.746 -85.372 Uppe
Table 1. Station information for selected Kentucky ambient water-quality monitoring network stations for trend analysis. —Continued[KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mi2, square mile; WV, West Virginia] 

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

KDOW 

station 

name

KDOW 

station 

number

USGS 

station 

number

Drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Latitude 

(decimal 

degrees)

Longitude 

(decimal 

degrees)

26 South Fork Cumberland River at Blue Heron PRI008 03410500 954 36.670 -84.549 Uppe27 Cumberland River at Cumberland Falls PRI009 03404500 562 36.836 -84.340 Uppe28 Rockcastle River at Billows PRI010 03406500 604 37.171 -84.297 Uppe29 Little River near Cadiz PRI043 03438000 244 36.841 -87.778 Lowe30 Horse Lick Creek near Lamero PRI051 03405842 62 37.304 -84.139 Uppe31 Pond River near Sacramento PRI012 03321060 523 37.395 -87.305 Gree32 Rough River near Dundee PRI014 03319000 757 37.563 -86.771 Gree33 Green River at Munfordville PRI018 03308500 1,673 37.269 -85.885 Gree34 Nolin River at White Mills PRI021 03310300 357 37.555 -86.031 Gree35 Green River near Island PRI055 03316500 6,431 37.484 -87.134 Gree36 Mud River near Gus PRI056 03316275 268 37.123 -86.901 Gree37 Green River near Woodbury PRI103 03315500 5,404 37.183 -86.616 Gree
6 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Description of Study Area

Kentucky is located in the south-central United States 

and ranks 37th in land size, with 39,732 mi2. Kentucky is bordered by seven states: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, 

Tennessee, Missouri, and Illinois (fig. 1). The northern border 

is formed by the Ohio River, the western border is formed by 

the Mississippi River, and the eastern border is formed by the 

Tug Fork and Big Sandy River.

Natural and human factors affect the physical, chemical, 

and biological quality of surface and ground water in Kentucky. These factors and their combinations also can affect the 

potential for the contamination of surface and ground water 

and may explain regional water-quality differences or similarities in short- and long-term trends.

Population

The population of Kentucky increased from 3.66 million 

in 1990 to 4.04 million in 2000, which is an increase of 

9.4 percent (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). Kentucky ranked 

25 out of 50 States in population density in 2000 with about 

102 people per square mile (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). More 

than half the population of Kentucky is concentrated in what 

is referred to as the Golden Triangle—the land area between 

Louisville, Lexington, and the Northern Kentucky region (near 

Covington, Kentucky (fig. 2). Some of the highest growth 

rates experienced by counties occurred in this area from 1980 

to 2000—Anderson County (34 percent), Boone County 

(47 percent), Gallatin County (38 percent), Grant County 

(40 percent), Oldham County (40 percent), Shelby County 

(30 percent), and Spencer County (50 percent). Only five other 

counties outside this area experienced similar growth rates—

Bullitt County (29 percent) located just south of Louisville, 

Ky.; Garrard County (27 percent) located southwest of 

Lexington, Ky.; Jessamine County (33 percent) located 

southwest of Lexington, Ky.; Laurel County (26 percent) 

located three counties west of Hazard, Ky.; and Trigg County 

(25 percent) located just west of Hopkinsville, Ky.

Physiography and Geology

The physiography of Kentucky can be generalized as a 

series of dissected plateaus and gently rolling terrain separated 

by faults (McDowell, 1986). The western and central parts 

of Kentucky have rolling terrain, whereas the eastern part of 

Kentucky has rugged terrain with high relief. The maximum 

land-surface altitude in Kentucky is the peak of Black Mountain (4,145 ft above sea level.) in Harlan County near the 

Kentucky–Virginia border; the lowest land-surface altitude is 

the Mississippi River at 260 ft above sea level (McGrain and 

Currens, 1978).

Kentucky lies within eight distinct physiographic regions 

that reflect the underlying geology: (1) Eastern Coal Field 

(also known as the Cumberland Plateau); (2) Inner Bluegrass; 

(3) Outer Bluegrass; (4) the Knobs; (5) Eastern Pennyroyal 

(also known as the Mississippian Plateau); (6) Western Pennyroyal (also known as the Mississippian Plateau); (7) Western 

Coal Field; (8) Purchase region (also known as the Mississippian Embayment) (fig. 3).

The Eastern Coal Field is part of a larger physiographic 

region known as the Cumberland Plateau, which extends from 

Pennsylvania to Alabama. It is characterized by very rugged 

terrain consisting of narrow valleys and narrow, steep-sided 

ridges. Rocks of the region are of Pennsylvanian age and are 

mainly sandstone, siltstone, and shale with numerous interbedded coal seams.

The Bluegrass physiographic region is restricted to the 

north-central part of the Commonwealth where Ordovician 

and Silurian age limestones and shales are exposed at the 

surface. The Bluegrass region is subdivided into the InnerBluegrass and Outer-Bluegrass regions. The Inner-Bluegrass 

region is characterized by gently rolling upland and abundant 

sinkholes underlain by thick-bedded phosphatic limestone of 

Ordovician age (Smoot and others, 1995). The Outer-Bluegrass region is underlain by thin-bedded limestones of late 

Ordovician age and includes considerable interbedded shale 

of Silurian age (McFarlan, 1943, p. 172). The topography in 

this region resembles the Inner Bluegrass except near streams, 

where it is dissected and rugged (Smoot and others, 1995).

The Knobs physiographic region is shaped like a crescent 

separating the Bluegrass region from the Eastern- and Western-Coal Field regions and consists of isolated, steeply sloping, cone-shaped hills. These hills are erosional remnants and 

are capped by erosionally resistant limestones and sandstones 

of Mississippian age and overlain shales of Devonian age.

Much of the Eastern and Western Pennyroyal regions are 

characterized by karst topography. Numerous karst features 

are present in this region, including sinkholes, caves, springs, 

and sinking streams. The regions are predominantly underlain 

by Mississippian age limestone.

The Western Coal Field region is similar to the Eastern 

Coal Field region in that it consists of bedrock of mostly Pennsylvanian age. The region is characterized by hilly upland with 

low to moderately high relief dissected by streams in poorly 

drained and often swampy bottomlands (McDowell, 1986).

The Purchase region is located in western Kentucky and 

is characterized by flat, low plains dissected by low-gradient 

streams. This region is underlain by unconsolidated Cretaceous-age sand, gravel, silt, and clay deposits, which are easily 

eroded. Stream bottoms are underlain by Quaternary alluvium 

(McDowell, 1986).
Figure 2. Total population in Kentucky, 2005. County population data from the Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, 2006..

EXPLANATION 

2,279 - 10,000 

10,001 - 25,000

 25,001 - 275,000

 699,827 

City

Paducah

Hopkinsville

Bowling Green 

Owensboro

Louisville

Covington

Lexington

Paducah

Figure 2. Total population in Kentucky, 2005. County population data from the Population Division, U.S. Census Burea

BRECKINRIDGE

MEADE

GRAYSON

HARDIN

LARUE

WHITLEY

MC CREARY BELL

HARLAN

LESLIE

CLAY

JACKSON OWSLEY

PERRY

PULASKI

LINCOLN

GARRARD BOYLE

MERCER

MARION

TAYLOR

CASEY

RUSSELL

WAYNE

CLINTON

BULLITTJEFFERSON

SPENCER

NELSON

SHELBY

OLDHAM

HENRY

TRIMBLE

CARROLL

BOONE

GALLATIN KENTON CAMPBELL

BRACKEN

MASON

LEWIS G

GRANT

OWEN

HARRISON

SCOTT

FRANKLIN

FLEMING

ROWAN

CAR

ELLIO

MORGAN

BATH

NICHOLAS

ROBERTSON

MONTGOMERY MENIFEE

BOURBON

POWELL

WOLFE

BREATHITT

MAGOF

ESTILL

MADISON

FAYETTE

CLARK

ROCKCASTLE

JESSAMINE WOODFORD

LEE

LAUREL

KNOX

ADAIR

MONROE

SIMPSON ALLEN

LOGAN

TODD BARREN METCALFE

HART GREEN

EDMONSON

CUMBERLAND

BUTLER

WARREN

OHIO

DAVIESS

HANCOCK

WASHINGTON

ANDERSON

BALLARD

LYON

TRIGG

CHRISTIAN

HOPKINS

CALDWELL

CRITTENDEN MUHLENBERG

UNION

HENDERSON

WEBSTER MC LEAN

CARLISLE

GRAVES MARSHALL

CALLOWAY

HICKMAN

FULTON

PENDLETON

MC CRACKEN

LIVINGSTON
Figure 3. Physiographic regions of Kentucky and location of selected stations for trends analysis, 1979–2004. Figure 3. Physiographic regions of Kentucky and location of selected stations for trends analysis, 1979–200
Introduction 9

The geographic location of a station greatly affects the 

water quality because of the characteristic geomorphology of 

each drainage basin. Of the 37 selected ambient-monitoring 

stations, 19 stations are located within the Eastern and Western 

Coal Field regions (fig. 3) where water quality is primarily 

affected by coal extraction (Leist and others 1981; Quinones 

and others, 1981). Thirteen stations are located within the 

Inner- and Outer-Bluegrass regions and the Knobs region, 

where water quality is primarily affected by activities associated with urbanization. Five ambient-network stations are 

located in the Eastern- and Western-Pennyroyal region. This 

region is characterized by karst topography, and the water 

quality is primarily affected by agricultural activities. None 

of the 37 selected ambient-network stations are located in the 

Purchase region where water quality is primarily affected by 

agriculture (Kleiss and others, 2000).

Land Use and Land Cover

The term “land use” implies human activity, and human 

activity implies a potential affect on the hydrology and quality of water in a watershed. The type and severity of water 

contamination often is directly associated with human activity; 

therefore, it can be qualified in terms of the intensity and 

type of land use in the source areas of water to streams. For 

example, the land use defined as agriculture indicates that the 

application of fertilizers is partially associated with human 

activity. Land use in Kentucky largely reflects the geology and 

physiography of the Commonwealth and the distribution of 

the population. 

Land cover during 1992 and 2001 for Kentucky is shown 

in figures 4a and 4b, and classifications for the drainage area in 

each watershed are found in appendixes 1 and 2. The National 

Land Cover Data 1992 (NLCD 1992) and the National Land 

Cover Data 2001 (NLCD 2001) datasets were used to identify 

changes in land cover throughout Kentucky. The NLCD1992 

land-cover data are an extension of the NLCD 1992 dataset 

classification scheme and protocols (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2007a). The NLCD 1992 is a 21-class, 30-m resolution dataset 

primarily based on early 1990s Landsat Thematic MapperTM 

imagery. Eight Anderson Level I land-cover classes were 

aggregated from the 21 classes (Anderson and others, 1976). 

For example, the land-cover classes “Deciduous Forest,” 

“Evergreen Forest,” and “Mixed Forest” were aggregated to 

“Forest” (table 2). 

The NLCD 2001 land-cover data were based on the 

National Land Cover Data 2001 (NLCD 2001) dataset classification scheme and protocols (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007b). 

The NLCD 2001 is a 16-class, 30-m resolution dataset primarily based on Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus data 

for the period 1999–2002 (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007b). As 

with the NLCD 1992 dataset, the NLCD 2001 was aggregated 

to eight Anderson Level I classes (table 2). The aggregation of 

the data from Anderson Level II to Level I (table 2) was necessary for general comparisons between the NLCD 1992 and the 

NLCD 2001 datasets, because of minor differences between 

the two land-cover classification schemes. Table 3 presents the 

percent of land cover for Kentucky using the NLCD 1992 and 

2001 datasets.

At the time of this study (2005), the USEPA’s MultiResolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MRLC) did not 

recommend comparing the two national land-cover datasets 

because of (1) different classification algorithms; (2) different 

resolutions of digital elevation models (DEMs); (3) improved 

impervious surface mapping of the NLCD 2001; (4) corrected 

atmospheric effects for the NLCD 2001 imagery; and (5) the 

different land-cover classes (U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 2007). For this study, non-statistical comparisons 

between the 1992 and 2001 datasets are made to provide possible explanations in a few cases where there are significant 

trends.

Climate

Kentucky has a temperate-continental climate characterized by well-defined winter and summer seasons that are 

accompanied by large annual temperature variations. Mean 

monthly temperatures in Kentucky range from about 23°F 

in the winter months to 87°F in the summer months (NState, 

2008). Variations in seasonal temperatures reflect the polar 

continental air masses in the late fall and winter and the tropical maritime air masses in the early spring, summer, and early 

fall. The tropical maritime air masses originate from the Gulf 

of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean and often result in thunderstorms, tornados, and intense rainfall. Mean annual precipitation from 1979 to 2004 for Kentucky was 48.8 in. Yearly 

precipitation totals throughout Kentucky from 1979 to 2004 

ranged from 37.2 in. in 1980 to 62.9 in. in 1979 (Kentucky 

Climate Center, 2007). The amount of precipitation generally 

decreases from south to north. 

Hydrology

The hydrology of Kentucky is described by characterizing surface- and ground-water flow and surface-water/

ground-water interactions. Variations in climate, physiography, 

land use, and geology cause localized variations in streamflow 

characteristics in Kentucky. High-flow conditions in streams 

generally occur in the spring, and low-flow conditions generally occur in late summer or early fall. However, flooding can 

occur at any time of the year. During dry periods, groundwater discharge to springs and streams constitutes the majority 

of streamflow in areas with karst topography.
10 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Figure 4. (a.) Land cover within Kentucky, 1992, and (b.) land cover within Kentucky, 2001. 

a.

Figure 4. (a) Land cover within Kentucky, 1992 and (b) Land cover within Kentucky, 2001.

b.
Introduction 11

Table 2. Classification scheme of Anderson level I and II systems used with the National Land Cover Data 1992 

and 2001, in this study. 

[NLCD, National Land Cover Data; --, not used]

Level I1 NLCD 1992 NLCD 2001

Level II1 Level II1

1 Developed 21 Developed, low intensity 21 Developed open space

22 Developed, high intensity, residential 22 Developed, low intensity

23 Developed, commercial, industrial 23 Developed, medium intensity

85 Urban/recreational grasses 24 Developed, high intensity

2 Pasture 81 Pasture/hay 81 Pasture/hay

3 Row crops 82 Row crops 82 Cultivated crops

83 Small grains

4 Openland -- --

5 Forest 41 Deciduous forest 41 Deciduous forest

42 Evergreen forest 42 Evergreen forest

43 Mixed forest 43 Mixed forest

52 Shrub/shrub

71 Grassland/herbaceous

6 Water 11 Open water 11 Open water

7 Wetlands 91 Woodland wetlands 90 Woodland wetlands

92 Emergent wetland 95 Emergent wetland

8 Barren 31 Bare rock/sand/clay 31 Bare rock/sand/clay

32 Quarries/strip mines/gravel

33 Transitional

1

Anderson and others, 1976. 

Table 3. Percentage of land cover for Kentucky from the 

National Land Cover Data datasets, 1992 and 2001, using Anderson 

Level I classifications. 

[NLCD, National Land Cover Data; --, not applicable; na, not available]

Anderson Level I1 NLCD 1992

(in percent)

NLCD 2001

(in percent)

1 Developed 2.35 7.06

2 Pasture/hay 20.5 22.0

3 Row crops 13.5 11.0

4 Openland -- na

5 Forest 59.5 56.7

6 Water 1.89 1.83

7 Wetlands 1.75 1.07

8 Barren .505 .292

1

Anderson and others, 1976. 
12 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Data Collection

The Kentucky ambient stream water-quality monitoring 

network (fig. 1 and table 1) was designed to characterize background conditions of water-quality properties and constituents 

in streams, determine compliance with applicable surfacewater-quality standards, provide data to support development 

of new or revised water-quality standards, and determine 

long-term trends in the surface-water quality of streams across 

Kentucky (Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, 2005). 

The statewide ambient water-quality monitoring network 

stations are generally located in midstream or downstream 

reaches on major rivers or on their major tributaries, as well 

as stream-inflow and outflows from U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers reservoirs. The ambient water-quality monitoring 

network stations also are located in streams where particular 

water-quality issues may be associated with local land uses 

(non-point sources or point sources). Many of the 37 stations were located at or near active, or formerly active, USGS 

streamflow-gaging stations. The use of streamflow information 

enhances the ability to understand water quality in relation to 

changing flow conditions.

Field measurements and water-quality samples were 

collected at a frequency of 12 times per year (monthly) for the 

majority of the stations from 1979 to 1998 (table 4). In 1998, 

field measurements and water-quality samples were reduced to 

a frequency of six times per year (every 2 months) every 4 of 

5 years because a new monitoring network was implemented 

involving a 5-year rotating Basin Management Unit (BMU) 

scheme of monitoring. The Kentucky Division of Water also 

established about 30 rotating water-quality stations in each 

of five selected BMUs. The selected water-quality stations in 

each BMU are thoroughly monitored once every 5 years to 

provide more in-depth water-quality information; thus, trend 

analysis is not possible at these rotating watershed stations.

Table 4. Water-quality constituents and properties selected for trend analysis in Kentucky. 

[USEPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; STORET, Storage and Retrieval; °C, degrees Celsius; 

μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; 

μg/L, micrograms per liter P, phosphorus; N, nitrogen]

Constituent Units USEPA STORET 

parameter code

Physical properties

Temperature °C 00010

Specific conductance μS/cm 00094 and 00095

pH Standard units 00400

Dissolved oxygen mg/L 00300

Hardness mg/L as CaCO3 00900

Solids, residue on evaporation at 

180°C (total suspended solids)

mg/L 00530

Major ions

Chloride, total mg/L 00940

Sulfate, total mg/L 00946

Trace metals

Iron, total μg/L 01045

Manganese, total μg/L 01055

Nitrogen and phosphorus

Phosphorus, total mg/L as P 00665

Nitrogen, total mg/L as N 00600

Nitrogen, ammonia-plus-organic, 

(Kjeldahl nitrogen)

mg/L as N 00625

Nitrite plus nitrate, total mg/L as N 00630

Ammonia, total mg/L as N 00610

Bacteria

Fecal coliform colonies/100 milliliters 31616
Data Collection 13

Station Selection, Period of Record, and Data 

Screening

Station selection and the physical properties and waterquality constituents for trend analysis were selected in consultation with Kentucky Division of Water staff. Station selection 

was based on the availability of long-term water-quality data 

at a station. Stations selected were part of the Commonwealth’s ambient water-quality monitoring network. The ambient stream water-quality monitoring network contains 70 stations; however, only 37 stations were included in this study. 

Trends were not analyzed at the remaining 33 ambient-waterquality monitoring network stations because of an insufficient 

amount of water-quality data and (or) the network stations 

were not located at or near active, or formerly active, USGS 

streamflow-gaging stations. Chemical constituents and physical properties represent major constituent groups and in some 

cases relate to potential sources of impairment of water quality 

in Kentucky streams.

Analysis of water-quality data focused on a comprehensive review of the water-quality data collected by the Kentucky Division of Water. Data from 1979–2004 were retrieved 

from the USEPA’s STORET repository for water-quality and 

physical-property data. Streamflow data measured by the 

USGS was retrieved from the World Wide Web at 

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ky/nwis. Other streamflow data were 

obtained by written communication from the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers.

Several quality-assurance measures were taken prior to 

data analysis. Boxplots and scatterplots were initially used to 

identify erroneous data. Water-quality data values also were 

checked to ensure that they fit into the context of other concentrations identified in a given sample. A water-quality value 

identified as suspect by any data-quality-assurance measure 

was evaluated individually, taking into account the collection 

location, time of year, and other samples collected at or near 

the station.

Concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) were computed 

from measured concentrations of dissolved nitrite plus 

nitrate-nitrogen (NO2+NO3-N) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen 

(TKN) (ammonia plus organic nitrogen). If the concentrations 

of NO2+NO3-N and TKN were greater than or equal to 

their respective method detection limit (MDL), their 

concentrations were summed to obtain TN. However, if 

the concentration of NO2+NO3-N or the concentration of 

TKN was less than an MDL, then the following rules were 

applied. If the NO2+NO3-N concentration was censored 

(MDL <0.01 mg/L), but the concentration of TKN was not 

censored, then the concentration of TN was computed as the 

sum of the TKN value and the censored value of NO2+NO3-N. 

If the concentration of NO2+NO3-N was not censored and 

the concentration of TKN was censored (<0.05 mg/L), 

the concentration of TN was computed as the sum of the 

NO2+NO3-N concentration and the censored value of TKN. 

If either the concentration of TKN or the concentration of 

NO2+NO3-N was missing, then the concentration of TN was 

not computed. 

Estimates of Daily Mean Discharge

Daily mean discharges were estimated at 14 waterquality-sampling stations (table 5) where no discharge data 

were available or where the available discharge record was 

incomplete (missing) for a part of the water-quality-sampling 

period, 1979–2004. The discharges were estimated by use of 

a drainage-area-ratio adjustment and (or) regression methods. 

For stations lacking discharge records that were located on the 

same stream reach or in close proximity to a gaged station, 

the drainage-area-ratio adjustment was made to estimate the 

discharges at the nearby ungaged location. Extension in time 

(augmentation) of an existing short-term gage record (a shortterm station) was accomplished by developing a regression 

relation between/among [if more than two] concurrent daily 

mean discharges at the short-term stations and at one or 

more nearby stations that are hydrologically similar and with 

discharge records through the sampling period (long-term 

stations). The final regression discharge estimates were made 

by use of the Maintenance of Variance Extension Type 1 

(MOVE.1), as described by Hirsch (1982), in which a line of 

organic correlation (LOC) regression model was fit to the concurrent daily mean discharges (Insightful Corporation, 2005). 

The MOVE.1 method provides the estimated discharges with 

some of the variance characteristics of the observed discharge 

record. The MOVE.1 method is unlike ordinary-least-squares 

regression, which tends to ‘smooth’ the estimated discharge 

and provides lower variance than in the original observed discharges. The MOVE.1 regression estimates were computed by 

use of log-transformed values of the concurrent nonzero daily 

mean discharges as 

Q M s s = + S S s l × − Q M l l ( / ) ( ), (1)

where

Qs is the estimated daily mean discharge at the 

short-term stations;

Ql is the observed daily mean discharge at the 

long-term stations;

Ms and Ml are the mean of the daily mean discharges 

for the concurrent period at the short- and 

long-term stations, respectively; and

Ss and Sl are the standard deviations of the daily mean 

discharges for the concurrent period at the 

short- and long-term stations, respectively.
Table 5. Estimates of daily mean discharge for ambient water-quality monitoring network stations with no available discharge or incomplete discha[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey, KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; ---, no assigned USGS station number] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number KDOW station name Area adjustment factor USGS station number(s) used for estimating discharge USGS station name(s) used for estimating discharge 

3 03212545 PRI064 Levisa Fork near Louisa 1.08 03212500 Levisa Fork at Paintsville 4 --- PRI048 Tygarts Creek at Load None 03217000 Tygarts Creek at Greenup 6 03237260 PRI063 Kinniconick Creek near Tannery 1.18 03237250 Kinniconick Creek near Tannery 

03237255 Kinniconick Creek below Trace Creek 

7 --- PRI059 South Fork Licking River at Morgan 1.35 03252500 South Fork Licking River at Cynthian

03252300 Hinkston Creek near Carlisle 03253500 Licking River at Catawba 8 03251400 PRI060 North Fork Licking near Milford 1.26 03251200 North Fork Licking near Mt. Olivet 

10 03248620 PRI062 Licking River at West Liberty None 03248500 Licking River near Salyersville 

03283500 Red River at Clay City 19 03282300 PRI058 Kentucky River near Trapp None 03284000 Kentucky River at Lock 10 near Winc03283500 Red River at Clay City 24 03301630 PRI057 Rolling Fork near Lebanon Junction 1.06 03310500 Rolling Fork near Boston 

25 03414110 PRI007 Cumberland River near Burkesville 1.04 03414000 Cumberland River near Rowena 

03413500 Lake Cumberland/Wolf Creek Dam ou

27 03404500 PRI009 Cumberland River at Cumberland Falls None 03404000 Cumberland River at Williamsburg 30 03405842 PRI051 Horse Lick Creek near Lamero None 03404900 Lynn Camp Creek at Corbin 31 03321060 PRI012 Pond River near Sacramento None 03320500 Pond River at Apex (discharge and sta

03383000 Tradewater River at Olney
Table 5. Estimates of daily mean discharge for ambient water-quality monitoring network stations with no available discharge or incomplete discha[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey, KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; ---, no assigned USGS station number]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

name

Area 

adjustment 

factor

USGS 

station 

number(s) 

used for 

estimating 

discharge

USGS station name(s) 

used for estimating 

discharge

32 03319000 PRI014 Rough River near Dundee None 03318005 Rough River Dam outflows 

03319600 Rough River at Hartford03320500 Pond River at Apex03310300 Nolin River at White Mills03383000 Tradewater River at Olney

36 --- PRI056 Mud River near Gus None 03320500 Pond River at Apex (discharge and sta

03310300 Nolin River at White Mills

37 03315500 PRI103 Green River near Woodbury None 03316500 Green River at Paradise 
16 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Some of the short-term stations had more than one longterm index station available to provide additional information 

for an improved discharge estimate (table 5). In these cases, 

an ordinary-least-squares multiple-linear regression (OLS) 

initially was developed to estimate the missing daily mean 

discharge from the concurrent daily mean discharges at two or 

three nearby, hydrologically similar long-term index stations. 

The nonzero, log-transformed discharge values were used for 

the multiple-linear regression. These OLS regression estimates 

were then ‘post-processed’ by use of a MOVE.1 LOC regression that related the OLS-regression-estimated discharges to 

the observed daily mean discharges at the short-term stations. 

The OLS-regression-estimated discharge record was used as 

the discharge record for the long-term index stations to fit the 

final LOC-regression model and for estimating discharge at 

the short-term stations. The drainage-area-adjustment ratio, if 

applicable, and the Pearson correlation coefficient of the logtransformed concurrent discharges used in the final MOVE.1 

LOC-regression estimate are shown in table 5.

Trend Analyses

Trend analyses were completed using the S-Plus statistical program S-Estimate Trend (S-ESTREND) (Schertz and 

others, 1991), which detects trends in water-quality data. 

The S-ESTREND program is designed to detect a monotonic trend (tends to increase, decrease, or have no trend, but 

not, for example, change from an increase to a decrease) in 

concentration. The trend-detection techniques supplied by this 

program include the Seasonal Kendall nonparametric method 

for use with uncensored data or for data censored with only 

one reporting limit (Hirsch and others, 1982), and the Tobitregression parametric method for use with data that are highly 

censored with multiple reporting limits (Cohn, 1988). One of 

these tests was selected for each property and water-quality 

constituent and applied to all station records so that the results 

of the trend procedure could be compared among stations. 

Trend results presented in this report were considered statistically significant when p‐values were less than 0.05.

Seasonality can affect the concentrations of some waterquality constituents, because water in streams and land use 

may vary by season. Thus, seasonality may prevent the detection of trends (Schertz and others, 1991). The S-ESTREND 

program contains an automated procedure for determining 

the best seasonal choice for each constituent for a particular 

season (Schertz and others, 1991). Seasons are defined by 

dividing the selected record into the beginning 20 percent and 

the ending 20 percent of the record and comparing them to the 

middle 60 percent of the record. In this study, seasons were 

defined as 2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 possible seasons per year. The season definition for a constituent varied from station to station, 

because the sampling frequency of a constituent varied from 

station to station.

Uncensored Seasonal Kendall Test

The Seasonal Kendall test is a nonparametric procedure 

for detecting monotonic trends in water-quality data (Helsel 

and Hirsch, 2002). The uncensored Seasonal Kendall trend test 

requires that a minimum of 5 years of data are available, less 

than about 5 percent of the dataset is censored, and that there 

is only one censoring level (Hirsch and others, 1982). The 

uncensored Seasonal Kendall trend test is considered robust 

and is not sensitive to data outliers (Schertz and others, 1991). 

Additionally, this procedure allows water-quality data to be 

flow adjusted. The uncensored Seasonal Kendall trend procedure was used to test for trends for every physical property 

and water-quality constituent, except concentrations of TP, 

TKN, and fecal coliform (table 4).

Tobit-Regression Test

The Tobit-regression test is a parametric procedure for 

detecting monotonic trends in water-quality data (Cohn, 

1988). This trend procedure is required when there are many 

censoring levels and (or) the data are highly censored (more 

than about 5 percent). A minimum of 5 years of data, defined 

by the first and last observation with the period of record, 

also must be present for use with this trend procedure. Flow 

and seasonality can be incorporated into the Tobit-regression 

model, in the S-ESTREND program. The Tobit-regression 

trend procedure provides a reliable estimate of the trend slope 

and statistical significance levels when a reasonable fit to the 

data is obtained and when assumptions such as the regression 

residuals are approximately normally distributed (Schertz 

and others, 1991). When using this procedure, trend residual 

results should be carefully examined for each station and 

constituent. The Tobit-regression analysis was used to test for 

trends in TP, TKN, and fecal-coliform data; this was necessary 

because in most instances those data were highly censored.

Flow-Adjusted Trends in Concentrations

Concentrations of water-quality constituents often correlate with streamflow. Concentrations of many water-quality 

constituents generally decrease, because of dilution, as streamflow increases; however, concentrations of other water-quality 

constituents that are contributed by runoff, such as suspended 

sediment and bacteria, will increase as streamflow increases 

(Schertz and others, 1991). Some constituents may exhibit 

combinations of both effects (Hirsch and others, 1982); thus, 

the technique of flow adjustment is used to understand actual 

changes in a water-quality constituent without the affect of 

trends on flow.
Trends in Surface-Water Quality 17

For this study, flow-adjusted monotonic trends in concentrations were estimated by use of the statistical program 

S-ESTREND (Schertz and others, 1991) in S-plus version 

7.0 (Insightful Corporation, 2005; Slack and others, 2003). 

Use of the flow-adjustment technique removes the effects of 

streamflow on concentrations of water-quality constituents by 

computing a time series of flow-adjusted concentrations and 

evaluating those data for a trend. One of two flow-adjustment 

techniques was used to obtain a mathematical description of 

the relation between concentration and streamflow. The first 

technique regresses concentrations on various functional forms 

of streamflow. The second technique fits a smoothed loess 

line to concentration and streamflow or log transformations of 

these variables to improve the fit. Flow adjustments were used 

for all water-quality constituents and all physical properties, 

except temperature.

Issues with Long-Term Trend Analyses

There are two main issues that can create problems in the 

analysis of water-quality data when determining long-term 

trends: (1) effects of protocol and method changes used to collect and analyze the water-quality samples; and (2) frequency 

changes in sampling.

Documentation of changes in sampling location, field 

methods, and analytical laboratory methods that affect waterquality data have improved over the years. Likewise, the documentation of changes in analytical laboratory methods and 

reporting levels for constituents has not always been adequate; 

thus, results of some trend analyses can be affected. This is 

especially true if many of the concentrations are near to or less 

than the minimum reporting level for the analytical methods. 

An attempt was made to minimize these effects by using the 

S-ESTREND program.

Any changes in frequency or sample timing potentially 

can affect results of water-quality analysis. For example, if 

sampling frequency increases, there may be an increased 

chance of collecting samples during extreme rainfall events, 

during droughts, or both. This increased chance of sampling 

extreme hydrologic events possibly could result in a large 

range of water quality that is not evident with fewer samples. 

Statistical programs such as S-ESTREND require sufficient 

data with suitable distribution throughout the period of interest 

to meet the requirements of the program for reliable statistical 

analysis. As previously stated in this report, field measurements and water-quality samples were collected at a frequency 

of 12 times per year for the majority of the stations from 1979 

to 1998; In 1998, the frequency of sampling was reduced 

to six times per year (every 2 months). A new monitoring 

network was implemented involving a rotating Basin Management Unit (BMU) scheme of monitoring where selected 

water-quality stations in each BMU are intensely monitored 

once every 5 years to provide more in-depth water-quality 

information.

Trends in Surface-Water Quality

Summary statistics of the physical properties and selected 

water-quality constituents and trend results are listed in table 6 

(at end of report). The statistics and trend results are summarized for variable periods of record during the study period 

1979–2004 for each physical property and water-quality 

constituent at the 37 stations. The results include number of 

observations, number of censored values, period of record, 

minimum values, median values and percentiles, maximum 

values, direction of trend, trend slopes expressed as percent, 

and p-values.

Table 7 summarizes the direction of trend for waterquality data of watersheds represented by the selected waterquality monitoring network stations. A negative slope indicates 

a downward trend (decreasing concentration with time), and 

a positive slope indicates an upward trend (increasing concentration with time). Only statistically significant trends are 

reported in tables 6 and 7. A significant monotonic trend does 

not indicate how the increase or decrease occurred. A more 

detailed investigation at each station is necessary to provide a 

complete explanation as to the cause of a particular trend.

Physical Properties

Data were analyzed for six physical properties including temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, 

hardness, and total dissolved solids. Water temperature is an 

important physical property of water, because it can affect 

many beneficial uses of water. Elevations in water temperature 

can result in accelerated biodegradation of organic material 

thereby reducing oxygen levels in the stream. In addition, 

increased water temperature reduces the solubility of oxygen. 

Results of this study indicated no trends in temperature at 

36 stations (fig. 5). The South Fork Cumberland River near 

Blue Heron station (map number 26) had an increasing trend 

in temperature (p-value = 0.04).

Specific conductance is a measure of the ability of a 

water solution to conduct an electrical current, and its measurement can be used to estimate the amount of dissolved 

matter in water. Specific conductance increased at 13 stations, 

mostly in the eastern-half of Kentucky, and decreased at only 

1 station (South Fork Cumberland River at Blue Heron (map 

number 26)) (fig. 6). The remaining stations had no change in 

specific conductance.

The pH of a water sample is used to define the amount of 

hydrogen-ion activity in the sample and is a measure of acidbase equilibrium achieved by various dissolved compounds, 

salts, and gases (Hem, 1985). pH is a useful index because it 

has a major affect on the degree of toxicity and solubility of 

many compounds; thus, knowledge of the pH of stream water 

potentially can provide insight into detrimental effects on 

aquatic systems.
Table 7. Summary of trends results of water-quality data of watersheds represented by selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations 1979–2004. —Continued [KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; --, no trend; ↑, increasing trend; ↓, decreasing trend; na, not available] Map reference number (figure 1) KDOW station number Temperature Specific conductance pH Dissolved oxygen Hardness Total suspended solids Total chloride Total sulfate Total iron Total manganese Total phosphorus Total nitrogen Total Kjeldahl nitrogen 

Trend direction Big Sandy 1 PRI002 -- ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ -- -- ↑ -- ↓ ↓ -- ↓ 

2 PRI006 -- ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↓ -- ↓ 3 PRI064 -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- ↑ ↑ -- -- -- -- -- 

Middle Ohio-Racoon 4 PRI048 -- -- ↑ -- -- -- ↑ -- ↑ -- -- -- ↓ 

5 PRI049 -- -- ↑ -- -- ↓ -- ↑ -- ↓ -- ↑ ↓ 

Middle Ohio-Little Miami 6 PRI063 -- -- ↑ -- ↑ -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Licking 7 PRI059 -- -- -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

8 PRI060 -- -- -- -- -- -- ↑ -- ↓ ↓ ↓ -- -- 9 PRI061 -- ↑ ↑ ↑ -- -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- 

10 PRI062 -- -- ↑ -- -- -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- -- -- 

Kentucky 11 PRI022 -- -- -- -- -- ↓ ↑ -- -- -- -- ↓ ↓ 

12 PRI024 -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- ↓ -- -- -- -- ↓ ↓ 13 PRI031 -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- ↑ -- -- -- -- ↓ ↓ 14 PRI032 -- ↑ ↑ -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- -- ↑ ↓ -- 15 PRI033 -- -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- ↓ -- -- -- 16 PRI041 -- -- -- -- ↑ ↓ ↑ -- -- ↓ -- -- ↓ 17 PRI045 -- ↑ ↑ ↑ -- -- ↑ -- -- -- ↓ -- ↓ 18 PRI046 -- -- -- ↑ ↑ -- -- -- -- -- ↑ -- ↓ 19 PRI058 -- -- -- ↑ ↑ -- -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- 20 PRI066 -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ↑ -- -- 21 PRI067 -- -- -- -- -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
Table 7. Summary of trends results of water-quality data of watersheds represented by selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations 1979–2004. —Continued[KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; --, no trend; ↑, increasing trend; ↓, decreasing trend; na, not available]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

KDOW 

station 

number

Temperature Specific conductance pH Dissolved oxygen Hardness Total suspended solids Total chloride Total sulfate Total iron Total manganese Total phosphorus Total nitrogen Total Kjeldahl nitrogen 

Lower Ohio-Salt

22 PRI029 -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ↓ ↓ ↓ 23 PRI052 -- -- -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- ↓ -- ↓ -- -- 24 PRI057 -- -- -- -- -- -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- -- -- 

Cumberland (Upper and Lower)

25 PRI007 -- ↑ -- -- -- ↓ -- -- -- ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ 26 PRI008 ↑ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ 27 PRI009 -- ↑ ↑ -- ↑ ↓ -- ↑ -- ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ 28 PRI010 -- -- ↑ ↑ -- ↓ -- ↓ -- ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ 29 PRI043 -- -- -- -- ↑ ↓ ↑ -- -- ↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ 30 PRI051 -- -- -- ↑ -- ↓ -- ↓ -- ↓ -- -- -- 

Green

31 PRI012 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ↓ -- -- -- 32 PRI014 -- -- ↑ -- -- -- -- ↓ -- -- ↓ ↓ ↓ 33 PRI018 -- -- -- -- -- -- ↓ -- -- -- ↓ -- ↓ 34 PRI021 -- ↑ -- -- ↑ -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- ↓ 35 PRI055 -- -- -- ↑ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 36 PRI056 -- -- ↓ -- -- -- -- ↓ -- -- ↓ -- -- 37 PRI103 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ↑ -- -- 
20 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Figure 5. Trends in water temperature at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 

Figure 6. Trends in specific conductance of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
Trends in Surface-Water Quality 21

The pH of uncontaminated stream water generally ranges 

from 6.5 to 8.5 standard units (Hem, 1985) and can exhibit 

diurnal fluctuations caused by photosynthetic/respiratory 

activity in algal populations. Trends in pH had increases at 

14 stations throughout Kentucky and a decrease at 1 station, 

the Mud River at Gus (map number 36) (fig. 7).

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is necessary in aquatic systems 

for the survival and growth of many aquatic organisms and it 

often used as an indicator of the health of surface-water bodies 

(Lewis, 2006). Sources of DO in water include aeration and 

photosynthetic activities of instream aquatic plants and algal 

populations. DO values exhibit diurnal fluctuations, because of 

the photosynthetic activities. Regular water-quality sampling 

by the Commonwealth generally occurs during daylight hours; 

thus, trends in DO should be evaluated with this in mind. DO 

concentrations increased at 12 stations and did not show a 

change at the remaining 25 stations (fig. 8). The Rolling Fork 

near Lebanon Junction station (map number 12), the Pond 

River near Sacramento station (map number 13), and the Mud 

River near Gus station (PRI036) have the lowest median concentrations (<8.0 mg/L) of DO and no trend.

Hardness commonly is defined by the presence of 

calcium and magnesium and by a variety of other metals. 

General guidelines for classification of waters are as follows: 

0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is 

classified as soft; 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 

to 180 mg/L as hard; and more than 180 mg/L as very hard. 

Limestone and other carbonate rocks are a natural source 

of hardness. Hardness concentrations increased at 13 stations, decreased at 1 station, and did not change at 23 stations 

(fig. 9). The South Fork Cumberland River at Blue Heron 

station (map number 26) had a decreased trend in concentrations of hardness. This station had one of the lowest median 

concentrations of hardness (48 mg/L) of the 37 stations and 

had a decreasing trend in specific conductance.

One of the leading causes of stream impairment in the 

United States is sediment (siltation) (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 2002). Excessive sediment affects stream 

habitat by eliminating important habitat areas for aquatic 

organisms, increases water-supply treatment costs, and 

decreases the usability of ponds and reservoirs. Sediment 

also can reduce the clarity of water, which affects photosynthesis, and can facilitate the transport of many constituents, 

such as nutrients, metals, and bacteria. Concentrations of total 

suspended solids (TSS) increased at 1 station (Beech Fork at 

Maud (map number 16)), decreased at 10 stations, and did 

not change at 26 stations (fig. 10). A potential cause for the 

increased trend of TSS at the Beech Fork at Maud station (map 

number 16) could be the change in land cover. The amount 

of developed land cover in the watershed upstream from this 

station increased about eight times from 1992 to 2001 (appendixes 1 and 2). All 5 stations located in the Upper Cumberland 

River Basin had decreasing trends in concentrations of TSS. 

This decline in concentrations of TSS spanned 2 decades, indicating a regional cause (possibly a decline in coal extraction). 

The drainage basins in five of six of these stations primarily 

are forested. Stations with the largest median concentrations 

of TSS had no trends and included Rolling Fork near Lebanon 

Junction (map number 12), Pond River near Sacramento (map 

number 13), and Rough River near Dundee (map number 14) 

(table 6).

Chloride and Sulfate

Major ions analyzed for trends in this study include 

chloride and sulfate. Chloride is present in all natural waters 

in generally low concentrations; exceptions include streams 

receiving inflows of high-chloride ground water or industrial 

waste (Hem, 1985). Chloride exhibits a conservative behavior 

and does not form important solute complexes with other ions 

unless concentrations of chloride are extremely high. Concentrations of chloride at the 37 stations had increasing trends at 

15 stations, decreasing trends at 3 stations, and no significant 

trend in concentration over time at 19 stations (fig. 11). Two 

stations with decreasing trends of concentrations of chloride 

are located in south-central Kentucky; one station with a 

decreasing trend of concentrations of chloride is located in 

the northern part of Kentucky (Frankfort, Kentucky). Most of 

the increasing trends in concentrations of chloride are located 

in the northern part of Kentucky. Possible explanations for 

increasing trends in concentrations of chloride at the northern 

stations are an increase in the use of road salts for road deicing 

and (or) the result of resource extraction (oil, gas, and coal).

Sulfate is an oxidized form of sulfur and is naturally 

occurring in the environment. Sulfur is widely distributed in 

reduced form (metallic sulfides) in igneous and sedimentary 

rocks. The process of weathering these rocks and the oxidation 

of sulfur forms sulfate ions that enter surface waters. Concentrations of sulfate in streams may be increased by human 

activities, and may be larger in streams located in surfacemining areas than in unmined areas. Also, emissions of sulfur 

dioxide during the combustion of fossil fuels may increase 

concentrations of sulfate in streams (Smith and Alexander, 

1986). Increasing trends of concentrations of sulfate were 

detected at 7 of the 37 stations (fig. 12). All seven of these stations were located in the Appalachian Region of eastern Kentucky where water quality in streams is potentially affected by 

surface mining. Five of the 37 stations had decreasing trends, 

including 3 stations in the Cumberland River Basin and 2 stations in the Green River Basin. Two stations with the largest 

median concentrations of sulfate (North Fork Kentucky River 

at Jackson (PRI013) and Pond River near Sacramento (map 

number 13)) had no trend in concentrations of sulfate (table 6).
22 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Figure 7. Trends in pH of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 

Figure 8. Trends in dissolved oxygen in water at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
Trends in Surface-Water Quality 23

Figure 9. Trends in hardness of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 

Figure 10. Trends in total suspended solids of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
24 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Figure 11. Trends in chloride of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 

Figure 12. Trends in sulfate of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
Trends in Surface-Water Quality 25

Iron and Manganese

Iron and manganese are common metallic elements 

found in the earth’s crust and are chemically similar (Hem, 

1985). Natural waters contain variable amounts of iron and 

manganese depending on the area geology and the pH of the 

stream water (Hem, 1985). Streams that receive acid drainage 

from coal mines usually have higher concentrations of iron 

and manganese. Recent studies have shown that dissolved 

concentrations of some trace metals exhibit substantial and 

persistent variation throughout the day (Nimick, 2003; Nimick 

and others, 2003). These diurnal and diel variations have 

been observed for most metals in streams that have neutral 

to slightly alkaline pH and also have been observed in acidic 

streams in concentrations of iron. The diurnal variations are 

likely caused by geochemical processes or by sorption of 

metals to bed material (Nimick and others, 2003). Iron and 

manganese generally are considered non-hazardous elements 

that are nuisances in water supply. Data for total iron and 

total manganese were evaluated for trend analysis at 37 stations. Concentrations of total iron increased at one station 

(Tygarts Creek near Lynn (map number 4)) and decreased 

at four stations (fig. 13). Of the five stations with median 

concentrations of total iron greater than 1,000 mg/L, none had 

a significant trend (table 6). The median concentration of total 

iron exceeded the USEPA’s secondary drinking water standard 

(300 mg/L) for total iron at 34 stations. Of these 34 stations, 

4 stations had decreasing trends in concentrations of total iron, 

1 station had increasing trends in concentrations of total iron, 

and 29 stations had no trend in concentrations of total iron.

Concentrations of total manganese increased at two stations: Rolling Fork near Lebanon Junction (map number 24) 

and Licking River at West Liberty (map number 10) (fig. 14). 

Thirteen stations had decreasing concentrations of total manganese scattered statewide, and all 6 monitoring stations in 

the Cumberland River Basin had decreasing concentrations of 

total manganese. This decline in concentrations of total manganese, spanning 2 decades, indicates a regional cause, possibly a decline in coal extraction. The median concentration of 

total manganese exceeded the USEPA’s secondary drinkingwater standard (50 μg/L) for total manganese at 29 stations. Of 

these 29 stations, 11 stations had decreasing trends in concentrations of total manganese, 2 stations had increasing trends 

in concentrations of total manganese, and 16 stations had no 

trend in concentrations of total manganese.

Nutrients

Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient, but in high 

concentrations can cause excessive growth of undesirable 

plants and algae in water bodies leading to reduced oxygen 

levels (hypoxia). Major sources of phosphorus are wastewatertreatment facilities, septic-tank leaks, fertilizer application, 

and the weathering of rocks and soil. Soil erosion is a major 

contributor of phosphorus to streams, because phosphorus 

tends to attach to soil particles. Total phosphorus includes 

dissolved and particulate (sediment bound) species. Although 

no established aquatic-life criterion exists for total phosphorus, the USEPA recommends a maximum concentration of 

total phosphorus of 0.1 mg/L to discourage excessive growth 

of aquatic plants and algae. Median concentrations of total 

phosphorus were greater than 0.1 mg/L at 7 of the 37 stations. 

Four of the seven stations (Beech Fork at Maud (map number 

16), Salt River at Shepherdsville (map number 34), Salt River 

at Glensboro (map number 23), and Little River near Cadiz 

(map number 29)) had decreasing trends in concentrations 

of total phosphorus; the remaining 3 stations had no significant trend in concentration over time. Concentrations of total 

phosphorus increased at 4 stations, decreased at 14 stations, 

and exhibited no significant trend in concentration over time at 

19 stations. Three of the four stations with increased concentrations of total phosphorus were in the Kentucky River Basin 

(fig. 15). These included the Middle Fork Kentucky River at 

Tallega station (map number 14), the Red River at Clay City 

station (map number 18), and the Kentucky River at Lockport 

(Lock 2) station (map number 20). The fourth station was in 

the Green River basin on the Green River near Woodbury 

(map number 37).

Nitrogen also is an essential nutrient for plants, and like 

phosphorus, potentially can cause hypoxia in water bodies in higher concentrations. The major sources of nitrogen 

include wastewater-treatment facilities, rainfall, and fertilizer application. Nitrogen can be measured as total nitrogen 

(TN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), as nitrite-nitrate-nitrogen 

(NO2+NO3-N), and ammonia-nitrogen (NH4-N). TN is the 

total amount of nitrogen in a sample; TKN represents the 

fraction of TN that is unavailable for growth or bound up in 

organic form and includes NH4-N. The remaining nitrogen 

species, NO2+NO3-N, represents the bioavailable form of 

nitrogen.

Concentrations of TN increased at 2 stations (Little 

Sandy at Argillite (map number 5) and Little River near Cadiz 

(map number 29)) and decreased at 10 stations statewide 

(fig. 16). No trends were detected at 25 stations. A possible 

reason for increased concentrations of TN at the Little Sandy 

at Argillite station and Little River near Cadiz station is that 

both stations had greater than 50-percent increases in developed land cover. The upper portion of the Cumberland River 

Basin had four of five stations with decreasing concentrations 

of TN, indicating a regional cause.
26 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Figure 13. Trends in iron of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 

Figure 14. Trends in manganese of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
Trends in Surface-Water Quality 27

Figure 15. Trends in total phosphorus of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 

Figure 16. Trends in total nitrogen of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
28 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Nineteen stations had decreasing trends in concentrations 

of TKN, and 18 stations had no trends in concentrations of 

TKN (fig. 17). No increasing trends were shown at any station. 

Although TKN is immobile in soils because of adsorption on 

soil surfaces, it is susceptible to nitrification under aerobic 

conditions; thus, potentially forming NO2+NO3-N. The majority of stations had lower median concentrations of TKN than 

NO2+NO3-N (table 6). Only the Eagle Creek near Glencoe 

station (map number 11) and the Pond River near Sacramento 

station (map number 31) had higher median concentrations of 

TKN (about two times higher) than NO2+NO3-N (table 6).

Increasing trends of concentrations of NO2+NO3-N were 

detected at four stations (fig. 18). These stations include Little 

River near Cadiz (map number 29), Nolin River at White 

Mills (map number 34), Little Sandy River at Argillite (map 

number 5), and Levisa Fork near Pikeville (map number 2). 

The Little River near Cadiz station (map number 29) and the 

Nolin River at White Mills station (map number 34) have 

the highest median concentrations of NO2+NO3-N at 3.08 

and 2.69 mg/L as nitrogen, respectively. The major land-use 

category at both the Little River near Cadiz station (map 

number 29) and the Nolin River at White Mills station (map 

number 34) is agriculture. The Little Sandy River at Argillite 

station (map number 5) and the Levisa Fork near Pikeville 

station (map number 2) had increases in developed land use 

between 1992 and 2001 (appendix 1 and 2). Decreasing trends 

in concentrations of NO2+NO3-N were detected at five stations 

throughout the Commonwealth (table 6). Trends for concentrations of ammonia were not performed because concentrations 

of ammonia were highly censored (more than 50 percent) for 

the majority of stations (table 6).

Bacteria

Numerous factors such as land use, the chemical and 

physical properties of stream water, seasonality, and reservoirs 

can affect the concentrations of fecal coliform. Data for fecal

coliform were analyzed for trends at 37 stations (fig. 19); three 

stations had increasing trends in fecal coliform. These stations 

include Green River near Woodbury (map number 37), Horse 

Lick Creek near Lamero (map number 30), and Kentucky 

River near Trapp (map number 19). Sixteen stations throughout the Commonwealth had decreasing trends in concentrations of fecal coliform; 3 stations had increasing trends in 

concentration of fecal coliform; the remaining 17 stations 

had no trends in concentrations of fecal coliform. The median 

concentrations of fecal coliform at six stations exceeded the 

Kentucky primary-contact recreation water-quality standard 

of 400 colonies per 100 milliliters (Kentucky Energy and 

Environment Cabinet, 2008b). Four of these stations (Tug 

Fork at Kermit, West Virginia (map number 1), Levisa Fork 

near Pikeville (map number 2), Licking River at West Liberty 

(map number 3), and North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson 

(map number 13) had decreasing trends in concentrations of 

fecal coliform and two stations (Levisa Fork near Louisa (map 

number 3) and Salt River at Shepherdsville (map number 22)) 

had no trend in concentrations of fecal coliform.

Figure 17. Trends in total Kjeldahl nitrogen of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
Trends in Surface-Water Quality 29

Figure 18. Trends in nitrite plus nitrate of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 

Figure 19. Trends in fecal coliform of water samples at selected water-quality stations, 1979–2004. 
30 Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient-Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004

Summary and Conclusions

This report presents the results of a study conducted by 

the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division 

of Water, to analyze and summarize long-term water-quality 

trends of selected properties and water-quality constituents 

in select streams in Kentucky’s ambient stream water-quality 

monitoring network. For this study, a total of 37 Commonwealth ambient water-quality-network stations were 

selected and 15 properties and water-quality constituents were 

evaluated at each station. Water-quality records for selected 

physical properties (temperature, specific conductance, pH, 

dissolved oxygen, hardness, and suspended solids), major ions 

(chloride and sulfate), selected metals (iron and manganese), 

nutrients (total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrite plus 

nitrate, and ammonia), and fecal coliform were retrieved from 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Legacy Data Center 

and Modernized storage and retrieval (STORET) database, 

screened, and analyzed for select periods of record during 

water years 1979–2004. The selected water-quality stations 

cover all of the major river basins in Kentucky, except for the 

Tradewater River Basin. Physiography, general land use, and 

population distribution were presented to provide assistance in 

the interpretation of detected trends, when possible. Detailed 

analyses of how detected trends relate to hydrogeology, hydrologic modifications, and pollution sources are beyond the 

scope of this report.

Trend analyses were completed using the S-Plus statistical program S-Estimate Trend (S-ESTREND), which 

detects trends in water-quality data. The trend-detection 

techniques supplied by this program include the Seasonal 

Kendall nonparametric methods for use with uncensored data 

or data censored with only one reporting limit and the Tobitregression parametric method for use with data censored with 

multiple reporting limits. One of these tests was selected for 

each property and water-quality constituent and applied to all 

station records so that the results of the trend procedure could 

be compared among stations. These techniques were used in 

conjunction with flow-adjustment procedures at all stations to 

remove the effects of streamflow on water-quality variability. 

Flow adjustments can be an integral part of understanding the 

effects on water quality. Flow adjustments were used for all 

properties, except temperature, and all water-quality constituents. Trend results presented in this report were considered 

statistically significant when p-values were less than 0.05.

Significant trends varied by station, constituent, and the 

period of record for each station. All stations and all constituents have at least one statistically significant increasing 

or decreasing trend. The South Fork Cumberland River near 

Blue Heron station has the most trends: 13 decreasing trends 

and 3 increasing trends (dissolved oxygen, temperature, and 

pH). The stations with only one statistically significant trend 

are the South Fork Licking River at Morgan station and the 

Green River near Livermore station, with one increasing trend 

in concentrations of dissolved oxygen; the Kentucky River at 

High Bridge station, with one increasing trend in concentrations of total suspended solids; and the Pond River near Sacramento station, with one decreasing trend in concentrations of 

manganese.

Trends for physical properties typically were not numerous nor geographically widespread; thus, indicating the 

improvement or degradation of water quality generally has 

been station specific. No trends for water temperature were 

detected, except for the increasing trend at the South Fork 

Cumberland River near Blue Heron station. This same station 

also had significant decreasing trends in specific conductance 

and concentrations of hardness. Concentrations of dissolved 

oxygen had no statistically significant decreasing trends at 

any station and had statistically significant increasing trends 

at 12 stations. The Mud River near Gus station had the only 

decreasing trend in pH. Concentrations of total suspended 

solids decreased at 10 stations with 5 of those stations located 

in the Cumberland River Basin. This decline in concentrations 

of total suspended solids spanned 2 decades and indicates a 

regional cause (possibly a decline in coal extraction).

Major ions analyzed for trends included chloride and sulfate. Concentrations of chloride at the 37 stations had increasing trends at 15 stations, decreasing trends at 3 stations, and 

no significant trend in concentration over time at 19 stations. 

Most of the increasing trends in concentrations of chloride are 

located in the northern part of Kentucky, possibly indicating 

an increase in the use of road salts for road deicing and (or) 

the result of resource extraction (oil, gas, and coal). Increasing 

trends in concentrations of sulfate were detected at seven stations, all of which were located in the Appalachian Region of 

eastern Kentucky, where water quality in streams is potentially 

affected by surface mining. Two stations with the largest 

median concentrations of sulfate had no trend.

Concentrations of total iron had statistically significant 

increasing (one station) and decreasing (four stations) trends 

scattered in the eastern part of Kentucky, where high concentrations of total iron are common. The Tygarts Creek near 

Lynn station had a significant increasing trend in total iron; 

although, an explanation for this increase is beyond the scope 

of this report. Five stations had median concentrations of total 

iron greater than 1,000 micrograms per liter, but none had a 

statistically significant trend. Concentrations of total manganese had increasing trends at 2 stations, decreasing trends at 

13 stations, and no significant trend in concentration over time 

at 22 stations. All six monitoring stations in the Cumberland 

River Basin had decreasing concentrations of total manganese, 

possibly because of a decline in coal extraction. The median 

concentration of total manganese exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s secondary drinking-water standard 

(50 micrograms per liter) for total manganese at 29 stations. 

Eleven of these stations had decreasing trends, 2 stations had 

increasing trends, and 16 stations had no trend in concentrations of total manganese. 
References Cited 31

Concentrations of total phosphorus (includes dissolved 

and particulate species) had increasing trends at 4 stations, 

decreasing trends at 14 stations, and no significant trend in 

concentration over time at 19 stations. Three of the four stations with increased concentrations of total phosphorus were 

in the Kentucky River Basin. These stations were Middle 

Fork Kentucky River at Tallega, Red River at Clay City, and 

Kentucky River at Lockport (Lock 2). The fourth station was 

Green River near Woodbury, in the Green River Basin.

Trend analysis for all nitrogen constituents analyzed indicated no trends at 25 stations. Concentrations of total nitrogen 

had two significant increasing trends at the Little Sandy at 

Argillite station and at the Little River near Cadiz station. 

Concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) decreased at 

19 stations and had no trends at 18 stations. No stations had 

an increasing trend in concentrations of TKN. Although TKN 

is immobile in soils because of adsorption on soil surfaces, it 

is susceptible to nitrification under aerobic conditions; thus, 

potentially forming nitrite-nitrate-nitrogen (NO2+NO3-N). 

The majority of stations had lower median concentrations of 

TKN than NO2+NO3-N. Two stations (Eagle Creek at Glencoe 

and Pond River near Sacramento) had about two times the 

concentration of TKN than NO2+NO3-N. Increasing trends of 

concentrations of NO2+NO3-N were detected at four stations. 

These stations include Little River near Cadiz, Nolin River at 

White Mills, Little Sandy River at Argillite, and Levisa Fork 

near Pikeville. The Little River near Cadiz station and the 

Nolin River at White Mills station have the highest median 

concentrations of NO2+NO3-N at 3.08 and 2.69 milligrams 

per liter, respectively. The major land-use category at both the 

Little River near Cadiz station and the Nolin River at White 

Mills station is agriculture. The Little Sandy River at Argillite 

station and the Levisa Fork near Pikeville station had increases 

in developed land use between 1992 and 2001. Decreasing 

trends of concentrations of NO2+NO3-N were detected at five 

stations throughout the Commonwealth. Trends for concentrations of ammonia were not performed because concentrations 

of ammonia were highly censored (>50 percent) for the majority of stations.

Trend analysis for concentrations of fecal coliform had 

16 decreasing trends and 3 increasing trends, statewide. Every 

major drainage basin had at least one station with a significant 

decreasing trend in concentration of fecal coliform, except 

the Middle Ohio-Little Miami River Basin. This basin only 

contains one ambient water-quality monitoring station (Kinniconick Creek near Tannery), which had no significant trend 

in fecal coliform.

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water quality inventory—Report to Congress—2002 

reporting cycle: Washington D.C., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA–841–R–07–001, 

October 2007, accessed April 2008 at http://www.epa.

gov/305b/2002report/report2002305b.pdf

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004, STORET, 

accessed August 2005 at http://www.epa.gov/STORET/

index.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2007, NLCD Change 

(NLCD 1992 versus NLCD 2001, accessed March 2008 at 

http://www.epa.gov/mrlc/change.html [Not shown in text]

U.S. Geological Survey, 2007a, National Land Cover Database 1992 (NLCD 1992), accessed January 2007at 

http://landcover.usgs.gov/natllandcover.php

U.S. Geological Survey, 2007b, National Land Cover Database 2001 (NLCD 2001), accessed January 2007 at 

http://www.mrlc.gov/mrlc2k_nlcd.asp
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Temperature (degrees Celsius)

1 03214500 PRI002 239 0 1979-2003 0.0 5.0 8.0 14.5 23.0 25.0 30.0 N2 03209500 PRI006 244 0 1979-2003 .0 5.3 8.0 15.4 22.7 25.0 29.0 N3 03215000 PRI064 99 0 1991-2003 2.0 5.8 8.0 15.0 23.0 25.0 30.0 N4 03217000 PRI048 178 0 1985-2004 .0 4.0 6.0 12.8 21.0 23.3 28.0 N5 03216500 PRI049 174 0 1985-2003 .3 4.0 7.0 13.2 20.6 23.0 26.0 N6 03237250 PRI063 102 0 1991-2003 1.0 4.0 6.0 12.5 20.8 24.0 30.0 N7 03252500 PRI059 105 0 1991-2003 .1 3.5 7.4 14.1 22.9 26.0 33.6 N8 03251400 PRI060 106 0 1991-2003 .3 3.5 6.8 13.9 20.6 23.0 27.8 N9 03249500 PRI061 106 0 1991-2003 .4 4.5 8.0 13.1 21.5 24.3 28.6 N

10 03248640 PRI062 83 0 1992-2003 .2 4.0 7.0 12.3 20.0 23.0 26.0 N

11 03291500 PRI022 258 0 1979-2003 -1.0 1.6 6.8 13.5 23.0 25.0 31.0 N

12 03287500 PRI024 274 0 1979-2003 1.3 5.5 7.9 15.2 24.0 27.1 30.3 N13 03280000 PRI031 199 0 1984-2003 -.1 4.2 7.2 14.6 22.8 25.0 27.8 N14 03281000 PRI032 199 0 1984-2003 .5 4.4 7.8 14.4 21.7 23.8 27.8 N15 03281500 PRI033 197 0 1984-2003 -.1 4.4 7.4 14.6 23.0 25.6 28.2 N16 03300400 PRI041 200 0 1984-2003 .1 3.6 6.8 14.9 22.1 25.9 29.3 N17 03285000 PRI045 180 0 1985-2003 .0 4.4 7.3 14.4 22.2 24.9 29.8 N18 03283500 PRI046 169 0 1985-2003 -.2 3.4 6.0 12.5 21.5 23.9 26.8 N19 03282300 PRI058 126 0 1991-2003 -.8 4.8 7.1 15.4 22.7 26.1 29.6 N20 03290500 PRI066 68 0 1996-2003 2.8 6.1 9.0 16.4 24.1 26.3 30.4 N21 03286500 PRI067 43 0 1997-2003 2.7 5.8 8.8 14.9 22.8 25.9 30.4 N22 03298500 PRI029 245 0 1979-2003 .1 4.1 7.0 14.6 22.7 25.7 29.1 N23 03295400 PRI052 159 0 1989-2003 -.1 4.3 6.9 14.5 21.4 24.8 31.1 N24 03301500 PRI057 121 0 1991-2003 -.1 4.8 6.9 15.1 22.0 25.2 27.6 N25 03414110 PRI007 253 0 1979-2003 4.0 7.0 9.0 12.0 14.0 15.4 19.0 N26 03410500 PRI008 259 0 1979-2003 .1 5.0 8.6 15.0 23.0 26.8 31.0 Incr27 03404500 PRI009 258 0 1979-2003 .0 5.0 8.5 15.0 23.0 26.0 32.0 N28 03406500 PRI010 252 0 1979-2003 -.1 5.0 8.0 14.5 21.5 25.0 32.0 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Temperature (degrees Celsius)—continued 29 03438000 PRI043 171 0 1985-2003 2.0 6.6 9.5 14.8 19.5 21.5 26.0 N

30 03405842 PRI051 178 0 1985-2003 .1 5.3 7.6 12.5 18.9 22.0 26.3 N31 03321060 PRI012 254 0 1979-2003 -1.0 3.4 7.2 15.5 23.4 27.0 31.0 N32 03319000 PRI014 255 0 1979-2003 1.0 5.0 8.1 14.6 19.9 23.5 27.5 N33 03308500 PRI018 279 0 1979-2003 1.0 6.2 9.0 14.8 21.0 24.0 27.0 N34 03310300 PRI021 261 0 1979-2003 .5 7.0 9.5 14.0 19.6 22.0 28.0 N35 03316500 PRI055 115 0 1991-2003 4.6 8.4 10.3 18.9 26.4 29.7 33.0 N36 03316275 PRI056 117 0 1991-2003 1.0 4.8 8.0 17.0 23.1 25.0 28.4 N37 03315500 PRI103 43 0 1998-2004 2.8 6.9 9.3 16.3 21.8 25.7 27.9 N

Specific conductance (μS/cm) 1 03214500 PRI002 241 0 1979-2004 27 280 351 487 700 873 1,230 Incr

2 03209500 PRI006 245 0 1979-2004 36 284 346 452 561 659 795 Incr3 03215000 PRI064 104 0 1991-2004 237 282 360 451 568 628 784 Incr4 03217000 PRI048 179 0 1985-2004 110 172 192 230 258 286 386 N5 03216500 PRI049 177 0 1985-2003 118 150 175 224 282 334 999 N6 03237250 PRI063 105 0 1991-2003 13 78 91 111 130 153 312 N7 03252500 PRI059 106 0 1991-2003 210 321 351 397 449 508 601 N8 03251400 PRI060 106 0 1991-2003 184 309 376 425 456 491 534 N9 03249500 PRI061 105 0 1991-2003 167 186 198 224 252 281 343 Incr

10 03248640 PRI062 92 0 1992-2003 115 159 209 261 329 367 628 N

11 03291500 PRI022 324 0 1979-2003 162 278 322 365 442 495 855 N

12 03287500 PRI024 316 0 1979-2003 140 214 260 308 360 421 656 Incr13 03280000 PRI031 201 0 1984-2004 252 358 427 545 753 897 1,770 Incr14 03281000 PRI032 65 0 1995-2004 142 171 232 307 372 418 569 Incr15 03281500 PRI033 205 0 1984-2004 96 146 181 227 303 381 1,900 N16 03300400 PRI041 199 0 1984-2003 7 280 318 377 452 485 563 N17 03285000 PRI045 179 0 1985-2003 130 260 291 321 359 392 483 Incr18 03283500 PRI046 54 0 1995-2003 53 160 172 203 242 273 363 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Specific conductance (μS/cm)—continued

19 03282300 PRI058 117 0 1991-2003 189 227 278 337 445 581 838 N20 03290500 PRI066 67 0 1996-2003 200 279 310 345 407 455 557 Incr21 03286500 PRI067 43 0 1997-2003 185 255 310 375 462 572 662 N22 03298500 PRI029 255 0 1979-2004 159 299 353 397 441 484 1,040 Incr23 03295400 PRI052 153 0 1989-2003 12 334 399 462 527 585 1,030 N24 03301500 PRI057 122 0 1991-2003 228 293 347 392 427 462 652 N25 03414110 PRI007 257 0 1979-2003 12 140 153 170 184 209 313 Incr26 03410500 PRI008 256 0 1979-2003 39 82 100 124 167 221 340 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 213 0 1979-2003 27 177 230 286 388 485 735 Incr28 03406500 PRI010 254 0 1979-2003 18 117 140 175 223 261 547 N29 03438000 PRI043 170 0 1985-2003 146 290 338 383 430 460 555 N30 03405842 PRI051 170 0 1985-2003 45 84 106 141 188 235 464 N31 03321060 PRI012 125 0 1991-2004 215 361 562 845 1,410 2,024 3,310 N32 03319000 PRI014 259 0 1979-2004 47 131 168 207 238 262 893 N33 03308500 PRI018 264 0 1979-2003 25 174 199 243 310 354 529 N34 03310300 PRI021 125 0 1979-2004 108 243 304 354 413 518 785 Incr35 03316500 PRI055 117 0 1991-2003 155 188 240 287 347 444 710 N36 03316275 PRI056 135 0 1991-2004 4 183 229 300 355 389 434 N37 03315500 PRI103 40 0 1979-2004 160 203 222 261 299 324 368 N

pH (standard units)

1 03214500 PRI002 225 0 1979-2003 5.5 6.9 7.3 7.7 8.0 8.2 9.2 Incr2 03209500 PRI006 226 0 1979-2003 6.0 6.8 7.2 7.6 7.9 8.3 9.3 Incr3 03215000 PRI064 99 0 1991-2003 6.7 7.3 7.6 7.8 7.9 8.1 9.3 N4 03217000 PRI048 176 0 1985-2004 6.3 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.7 9.2 Incr5 03216500 PRI049 166 0 1985-2003 6.2 6.9 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.5 9.2 Incr6 03237250 PRI063 98 0 1991-2003 6.3 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.2 7.4 8.4 Incr7 03252500 PRI059 103 0 1991-2003 4.6 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.1 8.3 9.0 N8 03251400 PRI060 105 0 1991-2003 6.9 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.8 7.9 8.8 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th pH (standard units)—continued 9 03249500 PRI061 104 0 1991-2003 6.4 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.1 8.5 Incr

10 03248640 PRI062 81 0 1992-2003 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.5 7.7 8.6 Incr

11 03291500 PRI022 279 0 1979-2003 6.6 7.2 7.5 7.8 8.0 8.2 8.9 N

12 03287500 PRI024 265 0 1979-2003 6.3 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.9 8.1 9.1 N13 03280000 PRI031 192 0 1984-2003 6.8 7.1 7.4 7.5 7.8 8.0 8.7 N14 03281000 PRI032 193 0 1984-2003 6.4 6.9 7.1 7.3 7.5 7.9 8.8 Incr15 03281500 PRI033 192 0 1984-2003 6.4 6.8 7.1 7.3 7.5 8.0 8.4 Incr16 03300400 PRI041 197 0 1984-2003 6.4 7.2 7.4 7.7 7.8 8.1 8.8 N17 03285000 PRI045 177 0 1985-2003 6.9 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.0 8.4 9.2 Incr18 03283500 PRI046 164 0 1985-2003 6.4 6.9 7.1 7.3 7.5 7.8 8.4 N19 03282300 PRI058 124 0 1991-2003 5.8 6.9 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.4 N20 03290500 PRI066 64 0 1996-2003 7.0 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.9 8.5 N21 03286500 PRI067 41 0 1997-2003 6.9 7.3 7.5 7.6 7.8 8.6 9.8 N22 03298500 PRI029 241 0 1980-2004 6.4 7.2 7.5 7.7 7.9 8.2 9.0 N23 03295400 PRI052 155 0 1989-2003 6.8 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.1 8.3 9.2 N24 03301500 PRI057 119 0 1991-2003 6.5 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.7 7.9 11.7 N25 03414110 PRI007 253 0 1979-2003 6.1 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.5 7.8 9.3 N26 03410500 PRI008 256 0 1979-2003 6.0 6.6 6.8 7.1 7.4 7.8 9.4 Incr27 03404500 PRI009 254 0 1979-2003 6.4 6.9 7.2 7.5 7.9 8.2 8.8 Incr28 03406500 PRI010 247 0 1979-2003 6.0 6.8 7.0 7.3 7.5 7.9 8.9 Incr29 03438000 PRI043 171 0 1985-2003 6.9 7.3 7.5 7.6 7.8 7.9 8.2 N30 03405842 PRI051 178 0 1985-2003 5.8 6.7 7.0 7.3 7.6 8.0 8.7 N31 03321060 PRI012 254 0 1979-2003 4.3 6.5 6.8 7.0 7.4 7.7 8.0 N32 03319000 PRI014 256 0 1979-2004 6.5 7.0 7.1 7.3 7.6 7.8 8.7 Incr33 03308500 PRI018 277 0 1979-2003 6.6 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.7 N34 03310300 PRI021 258 0 1979-2004 6.6 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.7 8.6 N35 03316500 PRI055 115 0 1991-2003 6.8 7.2 7.4 7.7 7.9 8.3 8.8 N36 03316275 PRI056 118 0 1991-2003 5.9 7.1 7.2 7.5 7.7 7.9 8.5 Dec37 03315500 PRI103 42 0 1998-2004 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.6 7.8 7.9 8.2 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)

1 03214500 PRI002 219 0 1979-2002 3.4 6.2 7.3 8.8 10.4 12.0 16.0 Incr2 03209500 PRI006 219 0 1979-2003 3.9 6.4 7.5 9.0 10.6 12.2 20.0 Incr3 03215000 PRI064 92 0 1991-2003 3.0 7.0 7.7 9.4 11.5 12.6 16.0 N4 03217000 PRI048 176 0 1985-2004 4.3 6.3 7.2 9.4 12.1 13.4 22.0 N5 03216500 PRI049 169 0 1985-2003 4.1 7.2 8.1 9.9 11.8 12.9 15.7 N6 03237250 PRI063 96 0 1991-2003 4.5 6.2 7.4 9.7 12.2 13.2 17.2 N7 03252500 PRI059 101 0 1991-2003 4.7 6.8 8.3 9.7 11.7 13.1 16.5 Incr8 03251400 PRI060 103 0 1991-2003 2.1 5.4 7.0 8.5 10.8 12.3 14.4 N9 03249500 PRI061 103 0 1991-2003 6.5 7.3 8.0 9.6 11.4 12.7 14.0 Incr

10 03248640 PRI062 82 0 1992-2003 4.0 6.5 8.0 10.0 12.0 13.0 14.9 N

11 03291500 PRI022 279 0 1979-2003 3.4 6.5 7.7 9.4 12.0 13.6 19.2 N

12 03287500 PRI024 273 0 1979-2003 4.2 7.2 8.1 10.0 11.7 12.9 15.8 N13 03280000 PRI031 186 0 1984-2003 3.4 7.0 7.7 9.4 11.2 12.2 16.0 N14 03281000 PRI032 183 0 1984-2003 3.7 6.6 7.3 8.9 11.2 12.0 15.6 N15 03281500 PRI033 182 0 1984-2003 2.9 6.3 7.0 8.7 11.0 12.0 14.7 N16 03300400 PRI041 192 0 1984-2003 2.7 5.4 6.9 8.5 11.0 12.7 20.0 N17 03285000 PRI045 176 0 1985-2003 5.7 7.0 8.1 10.2 11.9 13.6 16.8 Incr18 03283500 PRI046 167 0 1985-2003 4.8 6.5 7.3 9.3 11.5 12.8 20.0 Incr19 03282300 PRI058 125 0 1991-2003 6.0 7.3 8.0 9.6 12.1 13.3 20.0 Incr20 03290500 PRI066 66 0 1996-2003 5.5 7.3 7.7 9.6 12.0 13.1 14.7 N21 03286500 PRI067 43 0 1997-2003 6.6 7.6 8.5 10.0 12.4 12.9 16.0 N22 03298500 PRI029 233 0 1980-2003 4.3 5.8 7.2 9.6 11.4 12.8 18.2 N23 03295400 PRI052 143 0 1989-2003 4.2 6.6 7.5 9.4 11.5 13.2 18.4 Incr24 03301500 PRI057 116 0 1991-2003 3.7 5.7 6.3 7.8 10.4 11.8 20.0 N25 03414110 PRI007 252 0 1979-2003 5.2 7.3 8.6 9.9 11.1 11.8 13.9 N26 03410500 PRI008 259 0 1979-2003 4.8 7.0 8.0 9.8 11.4 13.6 20.0 Incr27 03404500 PRI009 257 0 1979-2003 3.5 7.2 8.0 9.3 11.2 12.7 19.0 N28 03406500 PRI010 251 0 1979-2003 4.6 6.8 7.8 9.2 11.0 12.8 17.0 Incr
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)—continued 29 03438000 PRI043 171 0 1985-2003 5.7 6.8 7.5 8.7 10.6 11.4 14.0 N

30 03405842 PRI051 178 0 1985-2003 4.2 6.9 8.2 10.0 11.8 13.0 18.0 Incr31 03321060 PRI012 251 0 1979-2003 3.8 5.3 6.2 7.6 9.6 11.2 13.2 N32 03319000 PRI014 254 0 1979-2003 3.3 5.6 6.5 8.3 10.1 11.9 16.6 N33 03308500 PRI018 274 0 1979-2003 5.5 7.4 8.1 9.4 11.1 11.9 14.0 N34 03310300 PRI021 258 0 1979-2003 5.8 7.0 8.0 9.2 10.7 11.6 16.0 N35 03316500 PRI055 114 0 1991-2003 3.7 5.6 6.5 8.3 9.6 11.7 16.2 Incr36 03316275 PRI056 117 0 1991-2003 3.8 4.8 5.4 7.0 10.0 11.3 14.0 N37 03315500 PRI103 40 0 1998-2004 6.6 7.6 8.1 9.9 11.2 13.2 18.4 N

Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3) 1 03214500 PRI002 109 0 1979-2004 56 89 120 170 200 240 290 Incr

2 03209500 PRI006 235 0 1979-2004 67 120 150 170 200 240 310 Incr3 03215000 PRI064 110 0 1991-2004 88 110 140 170 200 220 280 Incr4 03217000 PRI048 187 0 1985-2004 44 83 93 100 120 130 170 N5 03216500 PRI049 183 0 1985-2004 29 57 68 78 88 100 200 N6 03237250 PRI063 110 0 1991-2004 24 28 31 38 48 56 180 Incr7 03252500 PRI059 128 0 1991-2004 63 147 160 180 210 230 280 N8 03251400 PRI060 125 0 1991-2004 76 134 170 200 230 240 350 N9 03249500 PRI061 129 0 1991-2004 56 72 82 94 110 120 240 N

10 03248640 PRI062 112 0 1992-2004 48 67 80 100 140 160 200 N

11 03291500 PRI022 286 0 1979-2004 72 130 150 180 210 250 450 N

12 03287500 PRI024 281 0 1979-2004 77 100 120 130 160 180 340 Incr13 03280000 PRI031 210 0 1984-2004 110 150 180 230 350 441 980 Incr14 03281000 PRI032 208 0 1984-2004 42 62 74 98 120 130 220 Incr15 03281500 PRI033 207 0 1984-2004 32 51 64 82 100 140 330 N16 03300400 PRI041 211 0 1984-2004 57 120 150 180 220 250 500 Incr17 03285000 PRI045 187 0 1985-2004 59 110 130 150 160 180 210 N18 03283500 PRI046 180 0 1985-2004 26 55 62 74 93 100 220 Incr
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3)—continued

19 03282300 PRI058 130 0 1991-2004 74 91 110 140 188 250 410 Incr20 03290500 PRI066 73 0 1996-2004 78 120 130 150 170 198 250 N21 03286500 PRI067 50 0 1997-2004 68 110 120 150 188 220 300 N22 03298500 PRI029 268 0 1979-2004 11 130 160 180 200 223 530 N23 03295400 PRI052 154 0 1989-2004 66 150 180 200 238 260 340 N24 03301500 PRI057 132 0 1991-2004 2 140 160 190 200 220 300 N25 03414110 PRI007 115 0 1992-2004 57 66 71 77 83 87 120 N26 03410500 PRI008 248 0 1979-2004 18 34 39 48 61 78 180 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 266 0 1979-2004 38 73 90 110 140 160 280 Incr28 03406500 PRI010 251 0 1979-2004 42 58 65 83 110 120 440 N29 03438000 PRI043 192 0 1985-2004 54 130 150 180 210 229 250 Incr30 03405842 PRI051 185 0 1985-2004 11 39 50 70 98 110 150 N31 03321060 PRI012 193 0 1979-2004 60 130 200 310 530 760 1,800 N32 03319000 PRI014 111 0 1992-2004 48 76 93 110 120 130 150 N33 03308500 PRI018 280 0 1980-2004 44 80 94 115 140 150 280 N34 03310300 PRI021 254 0 1980-2004 54 120 143 170 200 210 400 Incr35 03316500 PRI055 125 0 1991-2004 87 120 130 150 170 210 360 N36 03316275 PRI056 133 0 1991-2004 65 92 120 140 170 180 210 N37 03315500 PRI103 46 0 1998-2004 89 97 110 125 140 160 160 N

Total suspended solids (mg/L)

1 03214500 PRI002 190 3 1985-2004 <1 3 7 16 42 104 1,270 N2 03209500 PRI006 250 5 1979-2004 <1 4 7 16 35 77 705 Dec3 03215000 PRI064 110 2 1991-2004 2 8 13 20 40 90 188 N4 03217000 PRI048 186 8 1985-2004 <1 2 4 7 14 37 372 N5 03216500 PRI049 183 3 1985-2004 <1 2 6 15 34 101 564 Dec6 03237250 PRI063 115 11 1991-2004 <1 <1 2 3 6 15 223 N7 03252500 PRI059 85 5 1994-2004 <1 2 3 9 26 78 296 N8 03251400 PRI060 127 6 1991-2004 <1 2 5 12 29 105 848 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Total suspended solids (mg/L)—continued 9 03249500 PRI061 130 1 1991-2004 <1 4 9 19 43 112 388 N

10 03248640 PRI062 108 4 1992-2004 <1 4 7 15 38 107 310 N

11 03291500 PRI022 229 3 1983-2004 <1 4 8 14 29 131 1,180 Dec

12 03287500 PRI024 227 7 1983-2004 <1 4 7 13 37 91 410 N13 03280000 PRI031 206 3 1984-2004 <1 4 8 18 58 147 1,890 N14 03281000 PRI032 70 3 1995-2004 <1 2 3 6 22 61 1,260 N15 03281500 PRI033 203 12 1984-2004 <1 2 4 8 18 50 344 N16 03300400 PRI041 210 1 1984-2004 <1 4 8 15 29 91 870 Dec17 03285000 PRI045 185 8 1985-2004 <1 <1 4 7 14 29 681 N18 03283500 PRI046 64 0 1995-2004 <1 3 6 10 26 46 514 N19 03282300 PRI058 131 2 1991-2004 <1 3 6 11 29 51 282 N20 03290500 PRI066 73 2 1996-2004 <1 2 6 11 21 72 386 N21 03286500 PRI067 50 0 1997-2004 <1 2 6 10 27 47 320 Incr22 03298500 PRI029 258 2 1979-2004 <1 7 12 22 46 96 698 N23 03295400 PRI052 173 4 1989-2004 <1 2 4 10 32 91 610 N24 03301500 PRI057 131 2 1991-2004 <1 13 26 48 89 236 3,800 N25 03414110 PRI007 268 11 1979-2004 <1 <1 2 4 8 18 141 Dec26 03410500 PRI008 256 31 1979-2004 <1 <1 2 4 9 34 317 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 256 10 1979-2004 <1 2 4 13 38 109 694 Dec28 03406500 PRI010 262 15 1979-2004 <1 <1 2 5 11 36 291 Dec29 03438000 PRI043 192 3 1985-2004 <1 4 9 18 33 68 1,730 Dec30 03405842 PRI051 179 23 1985-2004 <1 <1 2 3 6 14 58 Dec31 03321060 PRI012 128 1 1991-2004 <1 8 15 36 56 83 250 N32 03319000 PRI014 258 0 1979-2004 4 13 24 36 55 97 1,200 N33 03308500 PRI018 226 0 1983-2004 <1 7 10 21 34 84 258 N34 03310300 PRI021 127 0 1979-2004 <1 5 8 17 38 89 360.0 N35 03316500 PRI055 125 0 1991-2004 3 10 14 19 40 86 834 N36 03316275 PRI056 133 1 1991-2004 <1 6 14 26 40 50 173 N37 03315500 PRI103 43 0 1998-2004 4 11 19 26 41 67 570 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Chloride, total (mg/L)

1 03214500 PRI002 199 2 1985-2004 <1 6.0 8.4 13.3 23.8 31.3 61.8 N2 03209500 PRI006 261 3 1979-2004 <1 5.8 8.4 12.2 19.0 27.3 44.9 Incr3 03215000 PRI064 117 1 1991-2004 <1 6.3 10.0 14.6 21.5 27.3 37.2 Incr4 03217000 PRI048 186 5 1985-2004 <1 3.1 4.9 6.9 9.4 12.3 47.7 Incr5 03216500 PRI049 191 2 1985-2004 <1 5.0 7.5 13.9 24.5 39.3 64.9 N6 03237250 PRI063 126 12 1991-2004 <1 1.0 2.7 3.7 4.7 6.3 14.9 Incr7 03252500 PRI059 85 2 1994-2004 <1 5.4 7.5 10.9 16.6 33.4 55.3 N8 03251400 PRI060 127 5 1991-2004 <1 3.5 5.7 7.3 9.1 11.8 61.9 Incr9 03249500 PRI061 129 11 1991-2004 <1 1.8 4.0 5.1 6.7 9.9 31.0 Incr

10 03248640 PRI062 110 2 1992-2004 <1 3.7 5.8 9.4 13.2 18.6 36.8 Incr

11 03291500 PRI022 228 9 1983-2004 <1 3.4 4.9 6.9 9.9 14.0 27.0 Incr

12 03287500 PRI024 226 7 1983-2004 <1 3.7 5.4 8.0 11.9 21.9 71.5 Dec13 03280000 PRI031 209 7 1984-2004 <1 3.2 4.8 7.3 10.8 14.5 105 Incr14 03281000 PRI032 71 4 1995-2004 <1 1.7 3.4 5.8 7.6 9.2 17.7 N15 03281500 PRI033 205 10 1984-2004 <1 2.5 4.0 7.7 14.1 28.0 123 N16 03300400 PRI041 212 11 1984-2004 <1 2.6 4.2 5.3 6.7 8.8 38.5 Incr17 03285000 PRI045 188 3 1995-2004 <1 3.4 5.1 6.5 9.3 13.0 52.5 Incr18 03283500 PRI046 64 1 1995-2004 <1 3.9 5.0 7.5 11.0 15.4 46.6 N19 03282300 PRI058 130 7 1991-2004 <1 2.0 4.1 6.3 9.5 12.4 25.8 N20 03290500 PRI066 73 1 1996-2004 <1 4.4 6.1 8.7 11.8 17.7 26.1 N21 03286500 PRI067 50 2 1997-2004 <1 3.8 5.9 8.1 11.4 15.1 21.3 N22 03298500 PRI029 260 5 1979-2004 <1 5.8 7.9 10.9 16.3 22.8 48.2 N23 03295400 PRI052 156 2 1989-2004 <1 5.4 7.8 12.4 21.8 35.0 94.8 Incr24 03301500 PRI057 131 5 1991-2004 <1 3.5 5.0 7.2 10.2 17.0 40.7 Incr25 03414110 PRI007 269 15 1979-2004 <1 2.2 3.0 3.7 4.6 5.6 76.8 N26 03410500 PRI008 261 23 1979-2004 <1 1.0 2.2 3.3 5.3 8.1 146 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 262 17 1979-2004 <1 1.3 3.3 4.7 6.8 12.0 52.1 N28 03406500 PRI010 260 15 1979-2004 <1 1.4 3.0 4.0 5.5 7.7 42.8 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Chloride, total (mg/L)—continued 29 03438000 PRI043 193 4 1985-2004 <1 5.3 7.0 8.7 12.0 15.3 35.6 Incr

30 03405842 PRI051 184 14 1985-2004 <1 1.0 1.6 2.6 4.2 6.8 141 N31 03321060 PRI012 128 6 1991-2004 <1 4.1 6.0 9.1 12.6 17.7 29.8 N32 03319000 PRI014 257 11 1979-2004 <1 2.2 3.8 4.9 5.9 7.8 68.6 N33 03308500 PRI018 230 6 1983-2004 <1 3.9 5.8 8.8 13.8 28.0 74.5 Dec34 03310300 PRI021 126 1 1979-2004 <1 5.2 8.4 11.8 17.3 33.4 97.7 Incr35 03316500 PRI055 125 5 1991-2004 <1 3.7 5.6 7.2 9.2 12.0 18.9 N36 03316275 PRI056 134 8 1991-2004 <1 2.9 5.3 7.8 13.3 20.2 33.4 N37 03315500 PRI103 43 2 1998-2004 <1 5.2 6.1 7.3 9.1 11.4 34.7 N

Sulfate, total (mg/L) 1 03214500 PRI002 188 0 1984-2004 11.0 81.8 104 138 189 233 396 Incr

2 03209500 PRI006 248 0 1979-2004 13.0 79.6 109 133 167 197 447 Incr3 03215000 PRI064 110 0 1991-2004 19.5 76.7 105 137 170 195 261 Incr4 03217000 PRI048 186 0 1985-2004 5.0 15.9 19.4 23.2 27.6 31.5 137 N5 03216500 PRI049 182 0 1985-2004 9.8 31.9 35.5 40.8 47.4 56.4 1,720 Incr6 03237250 PRI063 116 1 1991-2004 5.0 14.9 18.5 20.6 24.6 30.7 129 N7 03252500 PRI059 85 1 1994-2004 5.0 15.6 19.9 26.2 35.5 43.3 63.3 N8 03251400 PRI060 125 1 1991-2004 5.0 15.3 23.8 31.2 41.1 52.7 128 N9 03249500 PRI061 128 1 1991-2004 5.0 18.2 23.3 28.8 33.9 38.5 65.7 N

10 03248640 PRI062 110 0 1992-2004 13.6 36.1 46.0 61.6 78.2 88.9 136 N

11 03291500 PRI022 227 0 1983-2004 10.1 22.0 28.5 37.7 52.9 70.1 174 N

12 03287500 PRI024 228 0 1983-2004 12.1 33.6 40.0 51.0 65.7 86.3 248 N13 03280000 PRI031 207 0 1984-2004 46.4 99.8 130 166 236 354 856 N14 03281000 PRI032 71 0 1995-2004 30.5 41.8 50.5 76.6 97.8 112.0 145 Incr15 03281500 PRI033 205 0 1984-2004 16.2 33.4 41.6 53.7 71.2 88.3 163 N16 03300400 PRI041 210 0 1984-2004 5.6 14.6 20.1 30.0 39.1 51.1 288 N17 03285000 PRI045 184 1 1985-2004 5.0 14.7 18.2 22.3 28.2 35.2 69.5 N18 03283500 PRI046 64 1 1995-2004 8.3 11.2 14.5 17.6 23.8 33.9 53.9 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Sulfate, total (mg/L)—continued

19 03282300 PRI058 129 0 1991-2004 11.6 44.9 60.1 91.3 125 188 334 Incr20 03290500 PRI066 73 0 1996-2004 12.7 33.2 41.5 53.5 71.2 90.6 361 N21 03286500 PRI067 50 0 1997-2004 11.2 41.8 49.4 69.6 90.1 145 215 N22 03298500 PRI029 256 2 1979-2004 3.5 19.2 25.1 31.3 39.3 53.1 96.0 N23 03295400 PRI052 154 0 1989-2004 5.7 20.4 30.8 40.4 54.1 66.0 188 N24 03301500 PRI057 128 0 1991-2004 6.0 18.1 23.6 30.3 36.6 48.1 105 N25 03414110 PRI007 270 0 1979-2004 11.0 24.8 28.7 31.9 36.0 39.2 97.3 N26 03410500 PRI008 259 0 1979-2004 6.7 20.1 25.9 33.4 43.8 63.8 137 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 261 0 1979-2004 10.2 48.0 62.2 80.5 108 135 185 Incr28 03406500 PRI010 262 0 1979-2004 7.6 16.8 21.0 27.8 35.0 45.7 134 Dec29 03438000 PRI043 189 10 1985-2004 3.4 6.5 8.9 11.1 15.2 21.7 209 N30 03405842 PRI051 183 2 1985-2004 4.9 10.0 12.1 14.5 19.7 28.9 101 Dec31 03321060 PRI012 123 0 1991-2004 45.6 106 176 296 564 1,016 1,900 N32 03319000 PRI014 254 5 1979-2004 3.5 8.0 11.2 16.0 22.2 31.0 858 Dec33 03308500 PRI018 229 4 1983-2004 5.0 9.4 12.0 14.4 17.9 21.7 107 N34 03310300 PRI021 127 8 1979-2004 3.6 5.0 6.9 9.3 13.1 17.4 70.5 N35 03316500 PRI055 123 0 1991-2004 5.0 20.2 30.1 41.3 60.4 87.8 967 N36 03316275 PRI056 130 4 1991-2004 5.0 8.6 12.7 17.6 25.3 35.1 78.3 Dec37 03315500 PRI103 43 0 1998-2004 5.9 7.2 9.6 12.6 16.3 23.7 27.6 N

Iron, total (μg/L)

1 03214500 PRI002 230 1 1980-2003 <10 260 440 720 1,708 3,402 13,000 N2 03209500 PRI006 232 2 1981-2003 <10 240 320 550 1,070 2,165 7,720 Dec3 03215000 PRI064 106 0 1991-2002 230 420 590 935 1,835 4,370 8,280 N4 03217000 PRI048 186 0 1985-2004 150 480 560 685 1,010 1,555 50,900 Incr5 03216500 PRI049 178 0 1985-2002 270 480 633 950 1,673 3,802 17,700 N6 03237250 PRI063 113 0 1991-2002 170 234 330 490 690 1,170 9,000 N7 03252500 PRI059 117 0 1991-2002 10 120 210 520 1,540 4,204 19,000 N8 03251400 PRI060 115 0 1991-2002 50 140 285 580 1,740 4,612 31,400 Dec
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Iron, total (μg/L)—continued 9 03249500 PRI061 117 0 1991-2002 40 220 500 840 1,720 4,796 17,000 N

10 03248640 PRI062 102 0 1992-2002 330 551 730 1,000 2,133 5,621 16,400 N

11 03291500 PRI022 257 0 1980-2003 10 220 370 760 1,660 3,888 29,700 N

12 03287500 PRI024 255 0 1980-2003 10 124 205 510 1,670 3,868 13,000 N13 03280000 PRI031 202 1 1984-2004 <10 282 390 715 1,728 5,226 85,300 N14 03281000 PRI032 200 1 1984-2003 <10 240 378 675 1,383 2,802 58,100 N15 03281500 PRI033 186 1 1984-2003 <10 210 303 420 855 1,600 48,600 N16 03300400 PRI041 198 0 1984-2003 10 257 363 690 1,260 3,917 25,100 N17 03285000 PRI045 172 1 1985-2002 <10 80 158 305 600 1,118 15,400 N18 03283500 PRI046 175 0 1985-2003 20 490 605 850 1,555 3,024 36,500 N19 03282300 PRI058 116 0 1991-2003 10 225 350 635 1,483 2,520 12,100 N20 03290500 PRI066 58 0 1996-2002 110 150 243 455 1,035 3,067 15,700 N21 03286500 PRI067 53 0 1997-2004 100 160 240 460 1,620 3,006 9,790 N22 03298500 PRI029 235 0 1980-2003 80 220 375 760 1,480 2,826 24,900 N23 03295400 PRI052 143 0 1989-2002 20 142 230 450 1,175 3,432 23,700 Dec24 03301500 PRI057 118 0 1991-2002 370 754 1,203 1,890 3,183 8,380 77,500 N25 03414110 PRI007 246 2 1980-2003 <10 50 80 140 240 500 4,370 N26 03410500 PRI008 234 0 1980-2003 20 170 240 350 580 1,044 10,900 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 236 0 1980-2003 10 100 215 525 1,400 2,825 28,000 N28 03406500 PRI010 236 1 1980-2003 <10 80 120 200 370 915 6,830 N29 03438000 PRI043 182 0 1985-2003 90 181 283 500 915 1,905 37,400 N30 03405842 PRI051 170 2 1985-2002 <10 120 180 260 378 731 1,980 N31 03321060 PRI012 233 0 1980-2003 30 554 960 1,570 2,310 3,728 14,000 N32 03319000 PRI014 240 1 1980-2003 <10 480 790 1,170 1,880 3,276 10,300 N33 03308500 PRI018 263 0 1980-2003 40 170 240 460 925 1,836 8,210 N34 03310300 PRI021 285 0 1980-2003 10 160 240 410 800 1,450 10,700 N35 03316500 PRI055 116 0 1991-2002 80 365 488 740 1,160 2,505 49,000 N36 03316275 PRI056 112 0 1991-2002 240 571 758 1,140 1,515 2,038 8,820 N37 03315500 PRI103 46 0 1998-2004 220 405 520 848 1,208 2,655 15,400 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Manganese, total (μg/L)

1 03214500 PRI002 227 0 1980-2004 <10 46 60 80 110 200 1,450 Dec2 03209500 PRI006 225 0 1981-2004 20 50 70 90 130 170 990 Dec3 03215000 PRI064 106 0 1991-2004 11 50 60 75 110 200 630 N4 03217000 PRI048 187 0 1985-2004 14 40 60 90 155 274 590 N5 03216500 PRI049 178 0 1985-2004 20 107 150 235 380 540 1,070 Dec6 03237250 PRI063 107 1 1991-2004 <10 <10 20 30 70 154 770 N7 03252500 PRI059 116 1 1991-2004 <10 20 30 50 100 205 690 N8 03251400 PRI060 123 0 1991-2004 20 30 40 60 115 258 850 Dec9 03249500 PRI061 126 0 1991-2004 20 40 50 80 120 230 580 N

10 03248640 PRI062 111 0 1992-2004 40 70 100 140 225 320 940 Incr

11 03291500 PRI022 269 1 1980-2004 <10 20 40 60 100 190 1,330 N

12 03287500 PRI024 266 0 1980-2004 <10 30 40 60 90 180 790 N13 03280000 PRI031 205 0 1984-2004 <10 50 70 100 170 290 1,870 N14 03281000 PRI032 204 0 1984-2004 <10 50 60 90 130 177 1,350 N15 03281500 PRI033 195 0 1984-2004 <10 40 60 80 120 170 900 Dec16 03300400 PRI041 204 0 1984-2004 20 30 40 70 110 170 1,880 Dec17 03285000 PRI045 168 2 1985-2004 <10 <10 20 30 50 80 2,000 N18 03283500 PRI046 178 0 1985-2004 30 50 60 80 110 150 300 N19 03282300 PRI058 125 0 1991-2004 20 50 70 90 130 226 1,110 N20 03290500 PRI066 67 0 1996-2004 20 30 40 60 70 134 530 N21 03286500 PRI067 45 0 1997-2004 30 40 50 70 100 140 400 N22 03298500 PRI029 246 0 1980-2004 20 50 70 110 160 255 2,810 N23 03295400 PRI052 143 0 1989-2004 <10 20 20 40 70 148 700 N24 03301500 PRI057 125 0 1991-2004 40 50 80 120 180 312 2,440 Incr25 03414110 PRI007 236 21 1980-2004 <10 10 10 20 40 75 180 Dec26 03410500 PRI008 240 1 1980-2004 <10 30 40 80 110 160 410 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 243 1 1980-2004 <10 30 50 90 165 240 890 Dec28 03406500 PRI010 243 1 1980-2004 <10 30 40 60 80 130 510 Dec
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Manganese, total (μg/L)—continued 29 03438000 PRI043 189 0 1985-2004 20 38 50 60 80 142 2,540 Dec

30 03405842 PRI051 173 2 1985-2004 <10 <10 20 30 50 90 460 Dec31 03321060 PRI012 239 0 1980-2004 50 228 430 770 1,335 2,034 7,280 Dec32 03319000 PRI014 247 0 1980-2004 50 120 160 230 360 588 1,720 N33 03308500 PRI018 268 1 1980-2004 <10 20 30 50 80 130 310 N34 03310300 PRI021 292 0 1980-2004 <10 20 38 50 80 130 520.0 N35 03316500 PRI055 122 0 1991-2004 20 70 80 110 160 248 4,130 N36 03316275 PRI056 116 0 1991-2004 <10 40 70 135 190 295 520 N37 03315500 PRI103 46 0 1998-2004 40 60 70 90 118 178 810 N

Total phosphorus (mg/L) 1 03214500 PRI002 190 29 1985-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .02 .03 .07 .47 Dec

2 03209500 PRI006 246 52 1979-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .02 .04 .07 .66 Dec3 03215000 PRI064 111 20 1991-2004 <.01 .01 .01 .02 .04 .06 .17 N4 03217000 PRI048 187 47 1985-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .01 .02 .04 .64 N5 03216500 PRI049 184 6 1985-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .02 .04 .09 .82 N6 03237250 PRI063 117 51 1991-2004 <.01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .02 .09 N7 03252500 PRI059 85 1 1994-2004 <.01 .05 .09 .12 .19 .31 .96 N8 03251400 PRI060 126 4 1991-2004 <.01 .03 .05 .09 .14 .29 1.04 Dec9 03249500 PRI061 129 6 1991-2004 <.01 .01 .02 .04 .07 .13 .63 N

10 03248640 PRI062 112 16 1992-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .02 .04 .08 .46 N

11 03291500 PRI022 215 4 1983-2004 <.01 .03 .04 .07 .14 .26 1.78 N

12 03287500 PRI024 229 4 1983-2004 <.01 .03 .05 .07 .11 .18 1.03 N13 03280000 PRI031 208 31 1984-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .02 .04 .07 .50 N14 03281000 PRI032 208 43 1984-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .01 .02 .05 .43 Incr15 03281500 PRI033 206 49 1984-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .01 .02 .04 .22 N16 03300400 PRI041 211 0 1984-2004 <.01 .07 .10 .14 .22 .39 1.62 N17 03285000 PRI045 185 4 1985-2004 <.01 .02 .03 .06 .10 .15 .96 Dec18 03283500 PRI046 181 21 1985-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .01 .02 .04 .19 Incr
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Total phosphorus (mg/L)—continued

19 03282300 PRI058 129 27 1991-2004 <0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.14 N20 03290500 PRI066 255 3 1996-2004 <.01 .04 .05 .07 .10 .14 1.12 Incr21 03286500 PRI067 50 3 1997-2004 <.01 .03 .04 .05 .08 .13 .32 N22 03298500 PRI029 257 0 1980-2004 <.01 .11 .15 .21 .30 .47 1.82 Dec23 03295400 PRI052 173 0 1989-2004 <.01 .14 .20 .28 .41 .84 1.78 Dec24 03301500 PRI057 129 1 1991-2004 <.01 .06 .08 .13 .23 .35 1.89 N25 03414110 PRI007 259 68 1980-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .01 .01 .02 2.50 Dec26 03410500 PRI008 257 73 1979-2004 <.01 <.01 <.01 .01 .02 .05 .23 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 262 39 1979-2004 <.01 .01 .01 .02 .04 .08 .28 Dec28 03406500 PRI010 261 54 1979-2004 <.01 <.01 .01 .01 .03 .05 .26 Dec29 03438000 PRI043 190 6 1985-2004 <.01 .03 .06 .10 .17 .29 1.30 Dec30 03405842 PRI051 183 72 1985-2004 <.01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .02 .06 N31 03321060 PRI012 128 10 1991-2004 <.01 .01 .03 .05 .07 .10 .35 N32 03319000 PRI014 252 8 1980-2004 <.01 .02 .03 .04 .07 .10 .53 Dec33 03308500 PRI018 226 8 1983-2004 <.01 .01 .03 .04 .06 .10 1.27 Dec34 03310300 PRI021 256 5 1980-2004 <.01 .05 .07 .11 .19 .30 1.2 N35 03316500 PRI055 124 4 1991-2004 <.01 .02 .03 .04 .06 .10 1.44 N36 03316275 PRI056 132 7 1991-2004 <.01 .02 .03 .06 .07 .09 .23 Dec37 03315500 PRI103 43 5 1998-2004 <.01 .01 .02 .04 .06 .10 .21 Incr

Total nitrogen (mg/L as nitrogen)

1 03214500 PRI002 164 0 1985-2004 .19 .43 .60 .80 1.10 1.40 2.40 N2 03209500 PRI006 243 0 1979-2004 .13 .34 .46 .62 .79 .99 2.94 N3 03215000 PRI064 93 0 1991-2004 .27 .43 .54 .68 .83 1.00 1.90 N4 03217000 PRI048 176 0 1985-2004 .12 .35 .46 .63 .85 1.14 2.74 N5 03216500 PRI049 161 0 1985-2004 .27 .48 .60 .78 1.00 1.30 2.00 Incr6 03237250 PRI063 109 0 1991-2004 .10 .15 .29 .52 .81 1.12 2.24 N7 03252500 PRI059 128 0 1991-2004 .22 .45 .75 1.57 2.36 3.23 4.83 N8 03251400 PRI060 112 0 1991-2004 .23 .55 .71 1.40 2.20 2.70 5.10 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Total nitrogen (mg/L as nitrogen)—continued 9 03249500 PRI061 119 0 1991-2004 0.19 0.38 0.53 0.75 1.10 1.40 1.90 N

10 03248640 PRI062 107 0 1992-2004 .09 .24 .38 .53 .73 .97 3.94 N

11 03291500 PRI022 216 0 1983-2004 .12 .46 .64 .96 1.40 1.75 6.40 Dec

12 03287500 PRI024 215 0 1983-2004 .26 .59 .81 1.00 1.30 1.70 3.90 Dec13 03280000 PRI031 185 0 1984-2004 .14 .38 .51 .68 .86 1.00 3.00 Dec14 03281000 PRI032 176 0 1984-2004 .11 .24 .32 .41 .50 .67 1.80 Dec15 03281500 PRI033 200 0 1984-2004 .07 .21 .32 .42 .60 .76 1.72 N16 03300400 PRI041 199 0 1984-2004 .15 .47 .74 1.10 1.60 2.40 9.50 N17 03285000 PRI045 169 0 1985-2004 .23 .60 .96 1.40 1.90 2.50 4.10 N18 03283500 PRI046 153 0 1985-2004 .14 .30 .42 .52 .75 1.00 2.10 N19 03282300 PRI058 126 0 1991-2004 .16 .30 .41 .52 .63 .82 1.27 N20 03290500 PRI066 73 0 1996-2004 .36 .82 1.01 1.16 1.39 1.70 2.45 N21 03286500 PRI067 49 0 1997-2004 .47 .58 .72 .92 1.15 1.23 1.38 N22 03298500 PRI029 251 0 1980-2004 .27 .94 1.20 1.70 2.30 3.00 8.30 Dec23 03295400 PRI052 157 0 1989-2004 .14 .69 1.10 2.20 2.90 3.94 5.70 N24 03301500 PRI057 123 0 1991-2004 .38 .68 .91 1.30 1.80 2.28 5.90 N25 03414110 PRI007 211 0 1980-2004 .27 .41 .49 .56 .67 .84 4.90 Dec26 03410500 PRI008 254 0 1979-2004 .06 .12 .19 .31 .44 .64 1.85 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 246 0 1979-2004 .14 .29 .40 .52 .74 1.00 2.65 Dec28 03406500 PRI010 258 0 1979-2004 .10 .29 .42 .58 .75 .96 1.51 Dec29 03438000 PRI043 156 0 1985-2004 .33 2.40 2.88 3.40 4.00 4.30 6.50 Incr30 03405842 PRI051 183 0 1985-2004 .06 .16 .22 .31 .42 .57 1.81 N31 03321060 PRI012 106 0 1991-2004 .25 .41 .59 .80 1.10 1.40 13 N32 03319000 PRI014 250 0 1980-2004 .40 .71 .89 1.10 1.40 1.80 3.30 Dec33 03308500 PRI018 213 0 1983-2004 .36 .68 .85 1.10 1.40 1.78 3.50 N34 03310300 PRI021 272 0 1980-2004 .43 2.11 2.50 3.00 3.40 3.70 15 N35 03316500 PRI055 125 0 1991-2004 .38 .82 1.12 1.44 1.77 1.93 10 N36 03316275 PRI056 126 0 1991-2004 .16 .65 .83 1.10 1.37 1.80 2.70 N37 03315500 PRI103 38 0 1998-2004 .53 .67 .99 1.32 1.91 2.27 2.94 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (mg/L as nitrogen)

1 03214500 PRI002 254 25 1979-2004 <0.05 <0.05 0.13 0.25 0.41 0.63 1.70 Dec2 03209500 PRI006 244 28 1979-2004 <.05 <.05 .13 .23 .38 .50 1.80 Dec3 03215000 PRI064 117 18 1991-2004 <.05 <.05 .10 .21 .33 .48 1.50 N4 03217000 PRI048 185 23 1985-2004 <.05 <.05 .14 .24 .32 .43 1.10 Dec5 03216500 PRI049 189 19 1985-2004 <.05 <.05 .15 .26 .39 .52 1.20 Dec6 03237250 PRI063 110 20 1991-2004 <.05 <.05 .09 .17 .28 .43 1.10 N7 03252500 PRI059 127 1 1991-2004 <.05 .26 .37 .52 .72 1.00 1.90 N8 03251400 PRI060 126 9 1991-2004 <.05 .14 .28 .46 .65 .97 1.60 N9 03249500 PRI061 129 6 1991-2004 <.05 .14 .21 .33 .44 .71 1.10 N

10 03248640 PRI062 110 16 1992-2004 <.05 <.05 .11 .20 .39 .54 1.60 N

11 03291500 PRI022 290 4 1979-2004 <.05 .26 .41 .57 .72 1.10 4.50 Dec

12 03287500 PRI024 284 7 1979-2004 <.05 .16 .24 .40 .58 .80 1.80 Dec13 03280000 PRI031 210 20 1984-2004 <.05 .06 .13 .22 .35 .56 2.40 Dec14 03281000 PRI032 207 28 1984-2004 <.05 <.05 .11 .17 .26 .36 1.60 N15 03281500 PRI033 204 32 1984-2004 <.05 <.05 .08 .16 .28 .41 1.10 N16 03300400 PRI041 210 4 1984-2004 <.05 .19 .34 .48 .72 .99 9.40 Dec17 03285000 PRI045 184 11 1985-2004 <.05 .12 .22 .36 .52 .67 2.50 Dec18 03283500 PRI046 180 23 1985-2004 <.05 <.05 .10 .23 .35 .55 1.80 Dec19 03282300 PRI058 129 15 1991-2004 <.05 <.05 .12 .21 .31 .51 0.83 N20 03290500 PRI066 73 10 1996-2004 <.05 <.05 .22 .30 .41 .61 1.50 N21 03286500 PRI067 50 5 1997-2004 <.05 .07 .10 .22 .31 .58 .85 N22 03298500 PRI029 256 2 1980-2004 <.05 .34 .47 .65 .83 1.15 7.00 Dec23 03295400 PRI052 172 4 1989-2004 <.05 .28 .40 .57 .81 1.39 2.70 N24 03301500 PRI057 128 2 1991-2004 <.05 .21 .33 .48 .74 1.10 5.50 N25 03414110 PRI007 261 49 1980-2004 <.05 <.05 .07 .14 .23 .39 4.50 Dec26 03410500 PRI008 258 63 1979-2004 <.05 <.05 .05 .15 .26 .39 1.60 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 247 22 1979-2004 <.05 .07 .15 .24 .37 .57 2.10 Dec28 03406500 PRI010 263 37 1979-2004 <.05 <.05 .11 .20 .31 .44 1.50 Dec
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (mg/L as nitrogen)—continued 29 03438000 PRI043 190 33 1985-2004 <0.05 <0.05 0.12 0.27 0.43 0.70 2.90 Dec

30 03405842 PRI051 185 52 1985-2004 <.05 <.05 .05 .13 .22 .33 1.50 N31 03321060 PRI012 115 3 1991-2004 <.05 .21 .36 .53 .69 .86 3.70 N32 03319000 PRI014 252 1 1980-2004 <.05 .29 .40 .53 .68 .96 2.20 Dec33 03308500 PRI018 277 10 1980-2004 <.05 .14 .21 .30 .42 .61 1.80 Dec34 03310300 PRI021 304 28 1980-2004 <.05 <.05 .19 .34 .51 .81 2.0 Dec35 03316500 PRI055 125 6 1991-2004 <.05 .14 .22 .35 .49 .80 8.60 N36 03316275 PRI056 132 3 1991-2004 <.05 .15 .30 .49 .67 .82 2.10 N37 03315500 PRI103 43 5 1998-2004 <.05 .06 .23 .37 .54 .86 1.40 N

Nitrite plus nitrate-nitrogen, total (mg/L as nitrogen) 1 03214500 PRI002 188 1 1985-2004 <.01 .25 .40 .54 .68 .84 1.22 N

2 03209500 PRI006 247 0 1979-2004 .03 .16 .24 .35 .46 .58 2.87 Incr3 03215000 PRI064 110 0 1991-2004 .09 .27 .32 .42 .51 .58 .77 N4 03217000 PRI048 186 1 1985-2004 <.01 .11 .22 .42 .58 .79 2.37 N5 03216500 PRI049 183 0 1985-2004 .12 .23 .34 .45 .70 .98 1.63 Incr6 03237250 PRI063 117 0 1991-2004 .01 .05 .17 .35 .53 .76 1.98 N7 03252500 PRI059 127 2 1991-2004 <.01 .07 .18 .99 1.86 2.49 4.14 N8 03251400 PRI060 124 2 1991-2004 <.01 .05 .16 .78 1.53 2.13 4.69 N9 03249500 PRI061 128 1 1991-2004 <.01 .10 .24 .42 .64 .83 1.23 N

10 03248640 PRI062 112 0 1992-2004 .01 .12 .24 .32 .42 .51 2.34 N

11 03291500 PRI022 228 6 1983-2004 <.01 .02 .04 .34 .63 .97 6.30 N

12 03287500 PRI024 226 2 1983-2004 <.01 .27 .49 .67 .85 1.11 3.10 N13 03280000 PRI031 207 0 1984-2004 .04 .19 .30 .40 .53 .60 2.25 N14 03281000 PRI032 72 0 1995-2004 .01 .08 .16 .20 .26 .32 1.22 N15 03281500 PRI033 203 2 1984-2004 <.01 .06 .14 .24 .37 .49 1.00 N16 03300400 PRI041 209 3 1984-2004 <.01 .05 .12 .52 1.00 1.47 2.35 N17 03285000 PRI045 184 1 1985-2004 <.01 .07 .59 1.04 1.59 2.00 3.20 N18 03283500 PRI046 64 0 1995-2004 .04 .13 .22 .28 .41 .55 1.36 N
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Nitrite plus nitrate-nitrogen, total (mg/L as nitrogen)—continued

19 03282300 PRI058 128 0 1991-2004 0.01 0.15 0.22 0.28 0.36 0.42 0.79 N20 03290500 PRI066 73 0 1996-2004 .05 .42 .67 .85 1.06 1.37 1.93 N21 03286500 PRI067 49 0 1997-2004 .26 .43 .48 .65 .74 1.02 1.16 N22 03298500 PRI029 256 0 1980-2004 .01 .34 .55 .97 1.46 2.37 5.40 Dec23 03295400 PRI052 170 1 1989-2004 <.01 .13 .66 1.32 2.14 2.91 5.33 N24 03301500 PRI057 127 0 1991-2004 .05 .23 .46 .71 1.13 1.49 2.43 N25 03414110 PRI007 263 0 1980-2004 .15 .26 .33 .39 .43 .48 .60 Dec26 03410500 PRI008 256 3 1979-2004 <.01 .03 .07 .13 .20 .26 .69 Dec27 03404500 PRI009 261 2 1979-2004 <.01 .08 .19 .30 .39 .49 1.30 N28 03406500 PRI010 259 1 1979-2004 <.01 .10 .20 .35 .49 .62 .95 N29 03438000 PRI043 191 0 1985-2004 .02 1.99 2.47 3.08 3.65 4.10 6.00 Incr30 03405842 PRI051 184 2 1985-2004 <.01 .04 .10 .16 .23 .34 1.56 Dec31 03321060 PRI012 123 2 1991-2004 <.01 .05 .12 .27 .43 .78 10.4 N32 03319000 PRI014 252 0 1980-2004 .09 .25 .42 .58 .78 1.05 2.30 Dec33 03308500 PRI018 226 0 1983-2004 .18 .40 .59 .81 1.09 1.31 2.15 N34 03310300 PRI021 121 0 1980-2004 .52 1.59 2.14 2.69 3.10 3.46 14.7 Incr35 03316500 PRI055 125 0 1991-2004 .29 .52 .72 1.04 1.29 1.52 2.00 N36 03316275 PRI056 132 2 1991-2004 <.01 .06 .26 .62 .92 1.10 2.25 N37 03315500 PRI103 43 0 1998-2004 .12 .48 .70 .99 1.35 1.66 2.55 N

Ammonia-nitrogen, total (mg/L as nitrogen)

1 03214500 PRI002 245 178 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .09 .50 2 03209500 PRI006 246 176 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .10 1.2 3 03215000 PRI064 108 102 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .08 4 03217000 PRI048 42 38 1999-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .14 5 03216500 PRI049 183 145 1985-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .07 .35 6 03237250 PRI063 108 101 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .16 7 03252500 PRI059 127 112 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .30 8 03251400 PRI060 125 110 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .85 
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Ammonia-nitrogen, total (mg/L as nitrogen)—continued 9 03249500 PRI061 127 116 1991-2004 <0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.50 

10 03248640 PRI062 111 102 1992-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .11 

11 03291500 PRI022 287 202 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .06 .12 .67 

12 03287500 PRI024 285 178 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .07 .15 1.8 13 03280000 PRI031 209 189 1984-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .18 14 03281000 PRI032 207 187 1984-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .30 15 03281500 PRI033 205 192 1984-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .09 16 03300400 PRI041 212 176 1984-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .06 .28 17 03285000 PRI045 186 159 1985-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .06 .64 18 03283500 PRI046 180 155 1985-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .25 19 03282300 PRI058 128 115 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .23 20 03290500 PRI066 73 57 1996-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .08 .15 21 03286500 PRI067 50 43 1997-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .27 22 03298500 PRI029 258 133 1980-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .10 .21 1.1 23 03295400 PRI052 173 133 1989-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .08 .42 24 03301500 PRI057 129 89 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .09 .30 25 03414110 PRI007 262 222 1980-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .06 1.35 26 03410500 PRI008 257 213 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .07 .50 27 03404500 PRI009 263 205 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .09 .29 28 03406500 PRI010 262 209 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .09 5.0 29 03438000 PRI043 191 162 1985-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .07 1.4 30 03405842 PRI051 182 177 1985-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .05 16.0 31 03321060 PRI012 255 89 1979-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .08 .24 .50 12.2 32 03319000 PRI014 251 54 1980-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .09 .16 .29 1.6 33 03308500 PRI018 280 218 1980-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .11 .30 34 03310300 PRI021 306 170 1980-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .07 .14 .44 35 03316500 PRI055 124 104 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .07 .34 36 03316275 PRI056 120 102 1991-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .07 .25 37 03315500 PRI103 43 35 1998-2004 <.05 .05 .05 .05 .05 .07 .50 
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum]

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

USGS 

station 

number

KDOW 

station 

number

No. of 

observations

No. of 

censored 

values

Period 

of 

record

Min.

Percentile values

Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th

Fecal coliform (colonies per 100 milliliters)

1 03214500 PRI002 196 2 1980-2003 <1 110 250 690 1,600 3,100 600,000 Decr2 03209500 PRI006 191 1 1980-2003 <5 70 200 400 760 2,000 30,000 Decr3 03215000 PRI064 64 1 1991-2003 <1 13 40 290 863 1,640 7,000 Decr4 03217000 PRI048 134 1 1985-2004 <1 30 68 120 378 1,140 20,900 Decr5 03216500 PRI049 127 0 1985-2003 3 34 76 180 480 980 5,800 None 6 03237250 PRI063 50 0 1991-2003 2 15 47 85 224 342 960 None 7 03252500 PRI059 105 6 1991-2003 <10 10 20 60 250 3,320 16,000 None 8 03251400 PRI060 100 3 1991-2003 <10 19 58 180 700 4,560 16,000 Decr9 03249500 PRI061 100 4 1991-2003 <10 10 38 80 443 3,020 60,000 None 

10 03248640 PRI062 54 0 1992-2003 3 52 129 365 1,000 1,890 4,800 Decr

11 03291500 PRI022 248 14 1980-2003 <1 9 28 78 385 1,360 33,000 None 

12 03287500 PRI024 256 15 1980-2003 <10 10 13 50 160 600 4,000 Decr13 03280000 PRI031 177 0 1984-2003 8 64 200 540 1,200 2,640 12,000 Decr14 03281000 PRI032 175 1 1984-2003 <10 19 30 90 215 420 3,000 Decr15 03281500 PRI033 173 2 1984-2003 <10 10 30 80 200 680 6,000 None 16 03300400 PRI041 183 2 1984-2003 <10 20 70 150 500 2,000 16,000 None 17 03285000 PRI045 159 7 1985-2003 <10 14 30 110 300 1,520 18,300 None 18 03283500 PRI046 161 1 1985-2003 <10 38 60 160 410 1,100 10,000 Decr19 03282300 PRI058 101 13 1991-2003 <10 10 10 30 180 440 8,000 Incre20 03290500 PRI066 53 4 1996-2003 <10 10 10 10 80 572 6,400 None 21 03286500 PRI067 37 3 1998-2003 <10 10 10 16 34 268 2,700 None 22 03298500 PRI029 208 3 1980-2003 <10 27 60 200 703 3,060 19,000 None 23 03295400 PRI052 132 1 1989-2003 <10 40 63 150 523 1,960 13,000 Decr24 03301500 PRI057 91 1 1991-2003 <10 50 80 180 1,250 2,400 20,000 None 25 03414110 PRI007 188 4 1980-2003 <1 7 13 34 110 593 6,600 Decr26 03410500 PRI008 198 45 1980-1998 <1 4 10 15 49 149 7,700 Decr27 03404500 PRI009 205 23 1980-2002 <1 8 12 50 200 604 2,300 Decr28 03406500 PRI010 205 17 1980-2002 <1 5 10 25 72 206 3,200 None 
Table 6. Summary statistics and trend test results of water-quality data for selected ambient water-quality monitoring network stations in Kentucky, [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celcius; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; KDOW, Kentucky Division Min, minimum; Max, maximum] Map reference number (figure 1) USGS station number KDOW station number No. of obser- vations No. of censored values Period of record Min. Percentile values Max. Tr

dire

10th 25th Median 75th 90th Fecal coliform (colonies per 100 milliliters)—continued 29 03438000 PRI043 165 21 1985-2003 <1 33 55 86 150 276 12,600 None 

30 03405842 PRI051 140 18 1985-2000 <4 7 10 31 96 201 1,750 Incre31 03321060 PRI012 206 44 1980-2003 <1 25 34 70 130 400 7,800 None 32 03319000 PRI014 204 36 1980-2003 <1 33 42 100 185 400 60,000 Decr33 03308500 PRI018 215 2 1980-2003 <1 24 42 110 300 1,480 16,000 None 34 03310300 PRI021 242 4 1980-2003 <1 46 76 173 460 1,970 14,400 Decr35 03316500 PRI055 83 28 1991-2003 <1 3 25 33 55 320 800 None 36 03316275 PRI056 74 14 1991-2003 <1 33 44 82 163 400 5,800 None 37 03315500 PRI103 26 0 1999-2004 5 8 14 29 106 1,200 6,000 Incre
Appendix 1. Percent land cover of watersheds 

represented by selected Kentucky Energy and 

Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of 

Water ambient water-quality network stations, 

1992
Appendix 1. Percent land cover of watersheds represented by selected Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water ambwater-quality network stations, 1992. —Continued [KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; no., number; mi2, square miles;WV, West Virginia; S.F., South Fork; U, undeveloped; M, mixed; A, agriculture; <, less than; >, greater th

Map reference number (figure 1) KDOW station name KDOW station no. Drainage area (mi2) Mean annual precipitation (inches) Land-use classification1 Percent land cover in 1992 Developed Agricultural Forested (undevelop

Row crop Pasture 1 Tug Fork at Kermit, WV PRI002 1,280 45.96 U 0.9 0.5 0.8 95.5 

2 Levisa Fork near Pikeville PRI006 1,238 45.58 U .4 .5 1.2 94.8 3 Levisa Fork near Louisa PRI064 2,326 45.10 U .6 .3 1.0 95.9 4 Tygarts Creek at Load PRI048 242 42.51 U .7 1.7 5.0 91.7 5 Little Sandy at Argillite PRI049 400 42.86 U .5 2.2 3.4 93.0 6 Kinniconick Creek near Tannery PRI063 175 43.56 U .0 .9 2.0 96.5 7 South Fork Licking River at Morgan PRI059 839 44.47 A 2.0 13.5 54.8 29.2 8 North Fork Licking River at Milford PRI060 290 44.17 M .7 12.9 32.2 54.1 9 Licking River at Claysville PRI061 278 45.69 U .4 5.9 15.3 77.0 

10 Licking River at West Liberty PRI062 327 45.41 U .4 .9 2.0 96.1 

11 Eagle Creek at Glencoe PRI022 437 43.86 U 1.3 11.3 20.0 66.2 

12 Kentucky River at Frankfort (Lock 4) PRI024 5,412 47.38 U 1.1 3.3 15.3 78.5 13 North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson PRI031 1,101 45.87 U .5 .0 .4 95.9 14 Middle Fork Kentucky River at Tallega PRI032 537 48.47 U .2 .1 .4 98.3 15 South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville PRI033 722 48.84 U .3 .5 1.6 97.2 16 Beech Fork near Maud PRI041 436 47.83 U .5 6.2 39.6 53.2 17 Dix River near Danville PRI045 318 49.67 M 1.0 9.7 38.2 49.5 18 Red River at Clay City PRI046 362 48.17 U .7 1.7 5.1 91.8 19 Kentucky River near Trapp PRI058 3,246 47.38 U .4 .6 2.0 95.4 20 Kentucky River near Lockport 

(Lock 2)

PRI066 6,180 46.92 U 2.7 4.8 18.3 60.2 

21 Kentucky River at High Bridge 

(Lock 7)

PRI067 5,036 47.48 U 2.2 2.7 13.5 66.6 
Appendix 1. Percent land cover of watersheds represented by selected Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water ambwater-quality network stations, 1992. —Continued[KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; no., number; mi2, square miles;WV, West Virginia; S.F., South Fork; U, undeveloped; M, mixed; A, agriculture; <, less than; >, greater th

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

KDOW station name

KDOW 

station 

no.

Drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Mean 

annual 

precipitation 

(inches)

Land-use 

classification1

Percent land cover in 1992

Developed Agricultural Forested (undevelop

Row crop Pasture

22 Salt River at Shepherdsville PRI029 1,197 46.27 A 4.5 21.4 30.1 42.6 23 Salt River near Glensboro PRI052 172 46.41 A 2.0 14.2 52.7 29.3 24 Rolling Fork near Lebanon 

Junction

PRI057 1,375 49.30 U 1.4 9.0 29.3 59.4 

25 Cumberland River near 

Burkesville

PRI007 6,053 51.01 U 1.5 2.4 9.5 84.6 

26 South Fork Cumberland River 

at Blue Heron

PRI008 954 55.53 U .8 .6 4.0 94.1 

27 Cumberland River at 

Cumberland Falls

PRI009 562 51.41 U 1.3 .1 2.7 94.3 

28 Rockcastle River at Billows PRI010 604 49.60 U .9 1.9 10.7 85.9 29 Little River near Cadiz PRI043 244 50.45 A 4.0 36.0 31.5 22.6 30 Horse Lick Creek near Lamero PRI051 62 49.84 U .2 .6 3.7 95.3 31 Pond River near Sacramento PRI012 523 49.51 M 2.0 19.9 10.6 55.2 32 Rough River near Dundee PRI014 757 50.33 U 1.0 25.6 18.2 52.7 33 Green River at Munfordville PRI018 1,673 52.13 U .8 11.0 28.1 57.5 34 Nolin River at White Mills PRI021 357 50.23 A 4.9 25.4 41.6 26.4 35 Green River near Island PRI055 6,431 51.43 U 2.0 15.7 29.0 50.3 36 Mud River near Gus PRI056 268 50.93 U 1.8 17.8 19.9 57.1 37 Green River near Woodbury PRI103 5,404 51.78 U 2.1 15.1 32.0 48.7 

1Land-use Classifications

 Agricultural — > 50-percent agricultural land and < or equal to 5-percent urban.  Urban — > 25-percent urban and < or equal to 25-percent agricultural land.  Undeveloped — < or equal to 5-percent urban land and < or equal to 25-percent agricultural land.  Mixed — all other combinations of urban, agricultural, and forested land. 
This page is intentionally blank.
Appendix 2. Percent land cover of watersheds 

represented by selected Kentucky Energy and 

Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of 

Water ambient water-quality network stations, 

2001
Appendix 2. Percent land cover of watersheds represented by selected Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water ambwater-quality network stations, 2001. —Continued [KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; no., number; mi2, square miles;WV, West Virginia; S.F., South Fork; U, undeveloped; M, mixed; A, agriculture; <, less than; >, greater th

Map reference number (figure 1) KDOW station name KDOW station no. Drainage area (mi2) Mean annual precipitation (inches) Land-use classification1 Percent land cover in 2001 Developed Agricultural Forested (undevelop

Row crop Pasture 1 Tug Fork at Kermit, WV PRI002 1,280 45.96 U 2.5 0.3 1.6 82.6 

2 Levisa Fork near Pikeville PRI006 1,238 45.58 U 2.4 .1 4.2 79.0 3 Levisa Fork near Louisa PRI064 2,326 45.10 U 2.6 .2 4.0 79.1 4 Tygarts Creek at Load PRI048 242 42.51 U 2.4 .2 14.6 68.6 5 Little Sandy at Argillite PRI049 400 42.86 M 6.5 .5 11.9 74.5 6 Kinniconick Creek near Tannery PRI063 175 43.56 U .8 .0 6.1 85.6 7 South Fork Licking River at Morgan PRI059 839 44.47 A 1.8 3.8 68.5 18.7 8 North Fork Licking River at Milford PRI060 290 44.17 M .5 4.3 45.5 42.1 9 Licking River at Claysville PRI061 278 45.69 U 2.2 1.7 24.8 62.7 

10 Licking River at West Liberty PRI062 327 45.41 U 1.0 .9 4.1 83.8 

11 Eagle Creek at Glencoe PRI022 437 43.86 U 6.0 .4 35.4 52.4 

12 Kentucky River at Frankfort (Lock 4) PRI024 5,412 47.38 M 7.4 1.2 19.8 64.3 13 North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson PRI031 1,101 45.87 M 6.8 .0 .8 76.7 14 Middle Fork Kentucky River at Tallega PRI032 537 48.47 U .8 .1 1.2 87.0 15 South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville PRI033 722 48.84 U 1.4 .1 4.6 83.9 16 Beech Fork near Maud PRI041 436 47.83 U 4.1 3.6 35.4 50.3 17 Dix River near Danville PRI045 318 49.67 M 5.7 4.8 45.1 42.1 18 Red River at Clay City PRI046 362 48.17 U 2.5 .4 11.0 76.9 19 Kentucky River near Trapp PRI058 3,246 47.38 U 1.6 .1 4.9 79.2 20 Kentucky River near Lockport 

(Lock 2)

PRI066 6,180 46.92 U 2.7 1.4 23.9 60.2 

21 Kentucky River at High Bridge 

(Lock 7)

PRI067 5,036 47.48 U 2.2 1.0 17.8 66.6 
Appendix 2. Percent land cover of watersheds represented by selected Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet–Kentucky Division of Water ambwater-quality network stations, 2001. —Continued[KDOW, Kentucky Division of Water; no., number; mi2, square miles;WV, West Virginia; S.F., South Fork; U, undeveloped; M, mixed; A, agriculture; <, less than; >, greater th

Map 

reference 

number 

(figure 1)

KDOW station name

KDOW 

station 

no.

Drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Mean 

annual 

precipitation 

(inches)

Land-use 

classification1

Percent land cover in 2001

Developed Agricultural Forested (undevelop

Row crop Pasture

22 Salt River at Shepherdsville PRI029 1,197 46.27 A 3.5 8.1 41.2 37.5 23 Salt River near Glensboro PRI052 172 46.41 M 8.8 6.3 58.0 24.6 24 Rolling Fork near Lebanon 

Junction

PRI057 1,375 49.30 U .8 7.4 28.4 55.2 

25 Cumberland River near 

Burkesville

PRI007 6,053 51.01 U 2.2 1.1 12.6 71.0 

26 South Fork Cumberland River 

at Blue Heron

PRI008 954 55.53 U 1.3 .0 5.0 80.2 

27 Cumberland River at 

Cumberland Falls

PRI009 562 51.41 U 2.0 .1 4.2 80.7 

28 Rockcastle River at Billows PRI010 604 49.60 U 2.6 .1 17.1 65.6 29 Little River near Cadiz PRI043 244 50.45 M 8.5 35.5 21.6 32.5 30 Horse Lick Creek near Lamero PRI051 62 49.84 U .9 .0 6.8 83.1 31 Pond River near Sacramento PRI012 523 49.51 M .7 13.6 12.5 60.2 32 Rough River near Dundee PRI014 757 50.33 U .2 7.8 26.7 55.9 33 Green River at Munfordville PRI018 1,673 52.13 U 5.0 5.4 32.3 52.7 34 Nolin River at White Mills PRI021 357 50.23 A 2.5 25.3 40.0 24.7 35 Green River near Island PRI055 6,431 51.43 U .9 9.4 33.2 46.5 36 Mud River near Gus PRI056 268 50.93 U .9 9.3 30.7 49.7 37 Green River near Woodbury PRI103 5,404 51.78 U 1.0 8.9 35.7 45.2 

1Land-use Classifications

 Agricultural — > 50-percent agricultural land and < or equal to 5-percent urban.  Urban — > 25-percent urban and < or equal to 25-percent agricultural land.  Undeveloped — < or equal to 5-percent urban land and < or equal to 25-percent agricultural land.  Mixed — all other combinations of urban, agricultural, and forested land. 
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Crain and Martin—Trends in Surface-Water Quality at Selected Ambient Monitoring Network Stations in Kentucky, 1979–2004—Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5027