Message from Board Chair

As we move into the final months of the year, I want to reflect on the great work we have accomplished and thank each of you for your continued dedication to protecting and monitoring Kentucky’s waterways. Thanks to our volunteer stream samplers, we have monitored nearly 200 stream locations this year! Our samplers’ commitment to collecting high-quality data is the backbone of our work—and right now, it’s more important than ever for all samplers to submit their data as we prepare for the annual Sites of Concern reporting for 2025.

If you haven’t gone through sampler training yet, please be on the lookout for our 2026 training dates, which will be posted later this winter.

I’m thrilled to introduce Lauren Kallmeyer, our new Programming Coordinator, who will be the friendly face behind most of the campaign emails and volunteer communications. See below to learn more about Lauren. This new position was made possible with funding from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and contributions from river basin organizations. Lauren’s role is vital—she’ll be coordinating our incredible network of volunteers and building the systems that ensure our organization’s long-term sustainability.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch a year-end fundraising campaign next month, which will focus on sustaining and expanding our water monitoring programs so that our impact can continue to grow statewide.

Your engagement—whether through stream monitoring, financial support, or sharing our story—makes all of this possible. With your help, we can continue to turn local monitoring into statewide impact.

Thanks for your interest, enthusiasm, and involvement!

Tricia Coakley, KWW Chair

Welcome our new Program Coordinator -

Lauren Kallmeyer!

Lauren is a nonprofit management professional and clinical herbalist based in Berea, KY. She most recently served as Executive Director of Kentucky Heartwood and now brings her experience in advocacy and community engagement to KY Watershed Watch. Lauren is a graduate of Centre College and holds graduate degrees in Therapeutic Herbalism and Communications. She is active in several local nonprofits and community groups including the Sheltowee Trace Association and the Kentucky Herbalism Alliance.

7th Annual Voyageur Boat Outing

We had a wonderful day on the KY River for the 7th Annual Voyageur Outing, celebrating 28 years of KWW! We launched from the Clifton boat ramp in Woodford County, where we were joined by Whitney Stepp-Gay and Tayna Stepp-Givens. They shared their family's connection to the river through Little Jamaica, an important African American safe place where the Clifton boat ramp is now located. Click here to read more about Little Jamaica and see pictures of this beautiful stretch of the Kentucky River.

Thank you to all the donors and paddlers, and to River City Paddlesports for providing the voyageur boats and captains again this year!

2025 Sampling Overview

246 Fully trained volunteers
218 Partially trained volunteers (still need to complete either online or in-person components)
37 Support Hubs
191 Sites sampled
339 Sampling data entries

We also have preliminary results for dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and E. coli. Read more here!

**Engaging students at Bellarmine University to evaluate E. coli detection methods**

Bellarmine University’s biology students are diving into a fascinating real-world challenge— how does the simplified and cost-effective “R-card” approach to detecting E. coli compare to the long-standing Idexx lab method? Guided by microbiology professor Dr. Kelly Carroll, this hands-on project is bridging classroom learning with community impact. Read more here!

Support Hub Highlight: Boone County Conservation District

As a conservation district, our role is to stay informed on the state of natural resources in our county. Kentucky Watershed Watch is a wonderful tool for us to keep an eye on water quality data, but for us, the real value lies in getting to know the landowners, neighbors, and concerned citizens. Read more here!

Sampler's Corner

Fall Sampling Data: If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to submit your sampling results through our online data portal. These submissions are essential for our annual statewide assessment and the preparation of our upcoming Sites of Concern Report to the Kentucky Division of Water. Accurate, timely data from all sampling locations helps us clearly identify where action and resources are most needed. If stream flow was too low at your site to participate in September, you can still sample and upload results in October. If you are struggling with some aspect of the sampling or data submission process and need help, please reach out to us at contact@kywater.org so that we can assist you.
A new, comprehensive Sampler Handbook was just completed by KWW's Scientific Advisory Committee. This resource was developed to help samplers understand the rationale for sampling practices, easily locate details on sampling procedures, and help with interpreting sampling results and putting them into action to improve your chosen waterways. We hope you can check it out soon!

Update on Sampler Opportunities to Conduct Habitat and Biological Assessments: Data portal entry capability for habitat and biological assessment findings is nearly complete, and we are planning to begin in-person training sessions for the habitat and biological assessment in Spring 2026.

Kentucky Watershed Watch relies on donations to maintain its programming and reach additional samplers.

Make a Donation Today!

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