Waterworks Archive

Kentucky River Basin water supply study

by Lindell Ormsbee and Joe Herman
Dept. of Civil Engineering
University of Kentucky

Following the drought in of 1988, the Kentucky River Basin Steering Committee was formed to address the perceived water supply problem in central Kentucky. In 1989 the Committee commissioned the team of Harza Engineers, GRW Engineers, Inc., and Construction Dynamics Group to perform a two-phase study. The study resulted in two separate reports entitled "Phase 1 Report: Water Demands and Water Supply Yield and Deficit" and "Phase II Report: Development of a Long Range Water Supply Plan." The purpose of the Phase I study was to develop a design drought and deficit to evaluate supply alternatives in the Phase II study. The Phase I report recommended, "that the design drought be the 1930 drought and the design deficit be 7 billion gallons." As part of the Phase II study, 27 alternative water supply plans were developed and evaluated. The various plans were grouped into three major categories: 1) Rehabilitation/reconfiguration of the Kentucky River Locks and Dams, 2) Small Upstream Reservoirs on Kentucky River tributaries, and 3) Pipelines from the Ohio River. The recommended plan calls for constructing two or three new dams on the Kentucky River to store water for use during droughts. Estimated costs for these alternatives ranged from $57,000,000 to $124,000,000.

Since the 1990 HARZA study, the Kentucky-American Water Company has been granted a variance on the minimum flow requirement for pool nine from which it draws its water. Implementation of this variance could have significant impact on the original design deficit of the HARZA study and thus affect the recommendations of the Phase II report. In addition, the Kentucky River Authority has recently initiated several capital construction projects that will have an impact on the available water supply. Because the need for additional capital construction to enhance the available water supply in the basin will be determined by the amount necessary to reduce the deficit, the Authority decided to initiate a reassessment of the basin deficit that takes into consideration these and other factors not considered by the HARZA study. In April 1995, the Authority contracted the University of Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI) to perform such a study.

To provide a definitive water supply analysis of the Kentucky River Basin for the Kentucky River Authority, the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute developed a detailed scope of work. The scope of work was divided into five separate tasks:

• Task III: Review and Assess Previous Studies and Finalize Study Plan.
  
• Task III: Assess and forecast the demand and availability of water by/for off-stem users (including the upper forks of the (Kentucky River).
  
• Task III: Assess and forecast the demand and availability of water by/for main-stem users (including the impacts of off-stem users).
  
• Task IV: Develop a Draft Drought response Plan for the Kentucky River Basin.
  
• Task V: Develop a Long Range Water Supply Plan for the Kentucky River Basin (including an evaluation of water supply alternatives) the study were completed.

Work thus far has demonstrated that if the 1930 drought of record were to re-occur under existing conditions in the Kentucky River Basin, significant water shortages could be expected. In particular, in the absence of any conservation and/or drought management plans, a water supply deficit of approximately 6.3 billion gallons could be expected. Under a high growth forecast, the deficit can be expected to grow to 9.7 billion gallons by the year 2020.

Based on the Task III results, current work is focusing on the development of a drought management model for the Kentucky River Basin as well as the development of a Long Range Water Supply Plan. Potential components of the Long Range Water Supply Plan include: values and crest gates on the Kentucky Lock and Dam System, a large dam on the Kentucky River, regional reservoirs and pump storage facilities, regional pipelines, conservation water pricing, and demand management. The final results of the study are expected to be available by December 1996.

A unique feature of this study has been the formation of a project advisory committee to provide continuing input and feedback to the KWRRI study. This committee was composed of representatives from various federal, state, regional and local water agencies as well representatives from various environmental groups and private utilities. Information is disseminated to the committee membership through monthly progress reports and bi-monthly meetings. Input from the committee members is received by written comments or by verbal comments at the bi-monthly meetings. This process is thought to be a unique way to conduct a technical study. Although the process has led to many incremental changes with regard to the scope of the original project, the process has been very efficient and highly beneficial in identifying the multiplicity of issues encompassed by such a project. The input and feedback from the committee have been truly invaluable.

Copies of preliminary reports can be obtained by contacting the KWRRI.

 

Last modified: December 5, 1996

Copyright © 1996 Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute
University of Kentucky