Research Programs

The KWRRI research portfolio may be broadly divided into both federal and state supported research. Specific programs include:

Federal Research Program

Annual USGS 104B Allotment Program
The Annual Institute Program serves the needs of the state, region and nation by supporting and encouraging research and technology transfer in the area of water resources. Specifically, this 1) supports the creation of a long-term linkage between universities, state agencies, and federal agencies for the solution of the nation's water problems; 2) provides support for a national network of water resources research institutes; 3) focuses on state and regional water resources problems that can be solved by researchers at academic institutions; and 4) supports research responsive to priority needs, seed projects, new and emerging career professionals, and quick transfer of results to users.

2006-07 USGS 104B Student Research Enhancement Grant Recipient Presentations

Water Resources 104G National Research Grant Program
The United States Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources, provides matching grants to support research on the topics of water supply and water availability. Any investigator at an institution of highler learning in the United States is eligible. Obtain the 2007 104G Grant Request for Proposals.

University of Kentucky Superfund Basic Research Program
The University of Kentucky Superfund Basic Research Program examines the effects of exposure to chlorinated organic compounds on human health, studies ways in which negative impacts of exposure can be mitigated through nutritional intervention, and explores novel techniques for the detection and removal of these pollutants from the environment.

The Kentucky Research Consortium for Energy and Environment (DOE)
The Kentucky Research Consortium for Energy and Environment supports the Department of Energy's efforts to complete the expeditious and economically viable environmental restoration of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, the Western Kentucky Wildlife Management Area, and surrounding areas.

Kentucky Research Program

Kentucky TMDL Program (Kentucky Division of Water)
The TMDL section of the Water Quality Branch is responsible for tracking impaired surface waters, developing plans to address water quality impairments and cooperatively working to achieve and maintain water quality standards for the streams and lakes of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Eastern Kentucky Water Quality Assessment Program (Eastern Kentucky PRIDE)
The UK PRIDE Assessment Project began in April of 2000 as part of a contract with PRIDE and the UK Kentucky Water Research Institute, and has been formulated to 1) assess the impact of existing and proposed PRIDE water quality projects on regional water quality and aquatic habitat, with a specific focus on pathogen and nutrient impacts; and 2) provide a scientific mechanism for prioritizing and targeting subsequent PRIDE funds to yield the greatest environmental impact while maintaining a regional diversification of projects.

Kentucky Radiological Control Program (KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services)
The Institute is charged with assisting both the Cabinet for Health and Family Services' (CHFS)Public Health Protection and Safety Department and the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) with the environmental remediation of the federal facilities in the commonwealth. The Institute is collaborating with the CHFS Radiation Control Program and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is operated from offices on the Lexington campus and in Frankfort.

Kentucky River Watershed Management Program (Kentucky River Authority)
The Kentucky Watershed Management Framework is a dynamic, flexible structure for coordinating watershed management across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.