Focus Watershed: North Fork of the Kentucky River

Recent petroleum spills into the North Fork of the Kentucky River have drawn community attention to nonpoint source pollution threats to the local water supply.  As the headwater source for the North Fork, Letcher County residents are responsible for the pollutants found in the river.  A past sampling project conducted by the Letcher County High School students focused on pathogen and heavy metal contamination in the water.  Due to the realized threats of petroleum contamination, the students will additionally test for hydrocarbons at sampling sites in the North Fork.  Teachers and students will work with the community-based Head of Three Rivers organization to determine appropriate sampling sites and foster the involvement of middle school students.