Publication Date

7-1982

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Nicholas Crawford, Ronald Dilamarter, Wayne Hoffman

Degree Program

Department of Geography and Geology

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Bowling Green, Kentucky is located in a distinctive karst region, characterized by subsurface drainage. The Lost River is a large subsurface stream which flows beneath the city. It receives much of the stormwater runoff from Bowling Green, since most of the city's runoff is directed underground. Significant pollutants in Bowling Green's stormwater runoff were identified from water quality test results of storm event grab samples, and a composite sample, of runoff entering the urban By-Pass Cave. Water quality test results were also obtained from storm event grab samples, and a composite sample, of the Lost River at the Blue Hole before it reached Bowling Green and at the Resurgence after it had passed beneath Bowling Green. Significant pollutant test results from the Blue Hole and Resurgence were analyzed to determine the impact of urban stormwater runoff on the water quality of the Lost River. Suspended solids were the only urban runoff pollutant identified as entering the Lost River in significant quantities. Animal waste, iron, and oil and grease were identified as stormwater runoff pollutants of the Lost River, but whose origin, either urban or rural, could not be conclusively determined from the available data.

Disciplines

Earth Sciences | Environmental Sciences | Geology | Hydrology | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Download

Share

COinS