Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Department
Geography and Geology
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
In Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Jennings Creek watershed encompasses the entire city and surrounding area; however, little work has been completed focused on assessing the Creek’s water quality, habitat, and biological indicators. Jennings Creek is fed by several karst groundwater springs, making it highly vulnerable to contamination due to the rapid connection between the surface and subsurface via sinkholes and underground rivers. An examination of Jennings Creek’s water quality, habitat, and biological indicators provides an assessment of the watershed’s health.
The methodology closely followed the methods for assessing habitat by Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet and was approved for the EPA 319(h) Watershed Plan project underway for Jennings Creek. Three study sites were identified along Jennings Creek for assessment with concurrent water quality sampling. Following sampling, each site received overall scores for habitat health, biological health, and water quality. An overall water quality score for each of the three stream sites was calculated using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). A comparative analysis of all sites was then completed by comparing the scores and corresponding ratings. Overall, all sites received poor habitat assessment ratings and marginal Water Quality Index ratings. This is likely due to the high degree of urbanization in the surrounding environment, which increases the risk of pollutants entering the watershed. Both the New Spring and Creekwood sites received poor biological assessment ratings, while Russell Sims received a marginal rating. Through comparative analysis, Russell Sims scored the highest. This is potentially explained by the urbanization and water quality issues faced by New Spring and Creekwood. All sites scored relatively low, highlighting the need for a comprehensive watershed plan.
Advisor(s) or Committee Chair
Jason Polk, Ph. D., Ritchie Taylor, Ph. D.
Disciplines
Environmental Monitoring | Environmental Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Water Resource Management
Recommended Citation
Francis, Allison, "The Impacts of Land Use and Groundwater Inputs on Stream Health and Habitat of Jennings Creek, Bowling Green, Kentucky" (2025). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 1069.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/1069