Frankfort, KY (October 29, 2012) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved the U.S. Geological Survey Kentucky Water Science Center for $197,100 in state Agricultural Development Funds to collect and analyze water samples from the Ohio River near Greenup Dam and the Lower Green River Basin.

“Water is one of our most valuable natural resources, and one that is important to many industries, especially agriculture,” said Gov. Beshear. “It is encouraging to see agricultural stakeholders working with our federal partners on a project that will help determine and monitor its impact on water quality.”

The water samples collected over a two-year period will be analyzed for nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus), silica, stable isotopes and suspended sediments.  This will allow scientists to quantify nutrient loads being contributed from agricultural areas near those sites.

“This is a sampling effort that will help to better quantify nutrient contributions originating from Kentucky, and to better quantify nutrient contributions from Kentucky’s agricultural areas,” said Angie S. Crain, USGS hydrologist.  “The USGS is working with Kentucky’s agricultural community to collectively coordinate resources and expertise to address agricultural monitoring needs of the citizens of Kentucky.”

The sampling sites funded through this project are part of on-going USGS sampling efforts in the Ohio River Basin, as part of the USGS National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN).

This project was one of the 38 proposals approved at the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board’s October business meeting.

Source: Press release courtesy of Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy