Pilot study to integrate existing karst flow data for Kentucky, USA into the National Hydrography Dataset of US Geological Survey

The US Geological Survey's (USGS) National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is a comprehensive set of digital spatial data representing the surface water of the United States for use with geographic information systems (GIS). The NHD digital product was designed to also allow incorporation of various groundwater data. The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) and Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) have compiled and digitized karst flow data for more than half of the karst regions in Kentucky. These data, obtained from many investigators, have been published by KGS in the Kentucky Karst Atlas Map series and are available as data files for use with GIS. The USGS and KDOW have funded a pilot study, conducted by KDOW, to integrate existing karst data into the NHD. The pilot study area, located in the southwestern Mississippian Plateau Region of Kentucky, is the West Fork Red River watershed. This area was chosen because quality data have been compiled and digitized for a large percentage of the study area. During the project period the USGS created a standard protocol to request updates for all NHD stewards, which allowed for a uniform and streamlined process.