Section Supervisor: Jo Blanset
Section Staff: Deven Carigan, Susan Cohn, Lisa Hicks, Wayne Kadera, Jim Seay
The GIS and Data Analysis Section manages several programs within the Division of Water, as well as providing assistance to many other branches. Programs under the direct control of this section include GIS data management, National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Stewardship Program, the groundwater database repository, well record management and overall quality assurance for environmental data monitoring programs and general program development. This section provides assistance with field work to the Groundwater Section, also within the Watershed Management Branch, and the Water Quality Branch, mapping-related projects division and department-wide, database development and management help, special project workgroup participation and involvement in many other areas.
Quality Assurance
The Division of Water has developed a quality assurance management program, modeled on both the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines and International American Society of Quality Standards. The QA program involves review and management of environmental monitoring projects, developing reporting elements in division operational planning, development of standard operating procedures for all aspects of administrative and technical elements, and more. Please refer to the Quality Assurance Web page (link to follow) for more information, template documents used in the program, and links to EPA programming guidance.
GIS
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data related to positions on the Earth's surface. Since approximately 80 percent of all information has a "spatial" or geographic component by coordinates or an address, GIS can help us relate elements on the basis of common geography, illuminating hidden patterns, relationships and trends that are not readily apparent in spreadsheets or statistical packages, often revealing information from existing data resources. This approach integrates geographic information into how we understand and manage our water resources. It can improve the way we do our work by facilitating better decision making; saving money, time and resources; and allowing us to more effectively communicate through geospatial visualization.
NHD Stewardship
In March 2009, Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) became the primary data steward for Kentucky's portion of the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). The NHD is a comprehensive set of digital spatial data representing the surface water of the United States using common features such as lakes, ponds, streams, springs, rivers, canals and oceans. These data are designed to be used in general mapping and in the analysis of surface water systems using geographic information systems (GIS). In mapping, the NHD is used with other data themes such as elevation, boundaries and transportation to produce general reference maps.
GIS & Data Analysis staff review all well construction record forms submitted by Kentucky Certified Water Well Drillers for compliance with state well construction regulations 401 KAR 6:310 and 401 KAR 6:350. Section staff also compiles well and spring information, and accompanying analytical data collected, gathered during inspections conducted by DEP, as well as outside agencies such as Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) and local health department personnel.
Well records can be requested by submitting an open records request, or by searching the Kentucky Geological Survey Web site.
Databases
The section maintains and assists the Resource and Program Planning Support Branch with division database management and development. Most recently, the section is working with the IT Section on a new database to house all of the non-compliance water quality and biological data within DOW. Progress updates will be posted as available.
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