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GIS Maps & Resources Division of Water

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tools and Resources

Through GIS, the Division of Water has developed interactive, web-based tools that combine maps, text, and multimedia content, allowing users to explore, learn, and engage with the​ data creators. Whether it's using a story map to explore Kentucky's mission and places, discovering how individuals can contribute to improving local water quality, or utilizing a viewer to streamline permit applications or locate points of interest, we hope the resources provided below inspire citizens to join in protecting the waters of the Commonwealth.

GIS Tools

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Marina Pumpout Locations in Kentucky Viewer

  • Locate a marina in Kentucky with pumpout facilities

Utilities Explorer

  • The Utilities Explorer, found within the Kentucky Watershed Explorer, provides information on capacity and treatment for both Drinking Water Systems and Wastewater Systems.
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Check Your Pipes Kentucky

Kentucky Public Water Systems Interconnections Maps

  • Using an interactive map, click a region in Kentucky to view diagrams of water system interconnections that region.

Regionalization Progress

  • Learn how water utilities have worked to combine resources and improve service across the Commonwealth (toggle the swipe bar to see historic versus current systems).

Source Water Protection Viewer

  • Explore source water protection areas, potential sources of contamination and susceptible areas of contamination.

Utilities Explorer

  • The Utilities Explorer, found within the Kentucky Watershed Explorer, provides information on capacity and treatment for both Drinking Water Systems and Wastewater Systems.

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Kentucky Flood Data Library

  • The Flood Data Library provides a source for all of the Division of Water's online flood tools. Use this application to access the Flood Hazard Portal, the Risk MAP Studies Tracker, and the Base Level Engineering (BLE) Viewer. These features allow you to view all of the Commonwealth's regulatory floodplains, base flood elevations, model downloads, current status of ongoing mapping projects and BLE projects. These include both regulatory watershed and county wide studies and nonregulatory BLE maps that show flood prone areas of both pluvial and fluvial flooding with point and click accessibility for water surface elevations, ground elevations, and model download.

  • Kentucky Flood Hazard Portal
    • This tool provides FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) including all regulatory mapping data including Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) and Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) completed by KDOW on behalf of FEMA, including the capability to download the effective Zone A and Zone AE digital HEC-RAS models to this feature. The Find Your Flood Zone page explains more about flood maps and understanding your flood risk.

  • KDOW Risk MAP Studies Tracker
    • The Risk MAP Project Tracker provides status information for all HUC8 watersheds and counties in the Commonwealth. With this new application, one can determine if a community is currently undergoing a study, what type of study (regulatory or non-regulatory), or when the last study occurred. In addition to informing users on study updates, it includes key project milestones, descriptive links detailing what each phase means, and provides communities with the location of their Flood Risk data for easy download. This Tracker can be used by local officials, planning departments, developers, and key stakeholders to improve visibility and transparency for advancing community development.

  • KDOW BLE Viewer
    • This viewer displays nonregulatory flood maps considered best available data to show flood prone areas that are not on the regulatory maps. This tool offers a more comprehensive view of flood prone areas and assists communities in making more informed decisions during planning and development. Unlike regulatory maps, BLE maps show both pluvial and fluvial flood risk. This viewer also features model download capability of HEC-RAS models. Both ground elevations and water surface elevations are available as well as the NFHL so the user can view and contrast the nonregulatory BLE 1% annual chance flood extent with the regulatory 1% annual chance Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) extent.

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319(h) Program in Kentucky

  • 319(h) Grant Program
    • Explore the 319(h) Grant Program.

  • 319(h) Grant Reporter
    • The 319 Grant Report tool provides some of the watershed scale information required for 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant applications including TMDLs, assessment information, priority watershed status, and special use designations.

OSG Program

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Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network Viewer

  • The Division of Water has systematically sampled ambient groundwater for more than 20 years. Interactively view the most prevalent analytes within categories at network sites.

GW/SW Explorer

  • Explore source water protection areas, permitted surface water withdrawals, permitted discharge locations, wells, springs and karst features using the GW/SW Explorer, found within the Kentucky Watershed Explorer.

KY Watershed Explorer

  • Launch pad for 319 Grant Reporter, GW/SW Explorer, Utilities Explorer, Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network Viewer and MS4 Reporter.

Well Driller Locator

  • Find contact information for drillers certified to drill water or monitoring wells in Kentucky.

Well Record Information Viewer

  • Well drillers can use this viewer to find geographic information to aid in submitting an installation record or depth and other identifying information for existing wells to aid in submitting a rework or plugging record.
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319 Grant Program​

  • The 319(h) Grant program awards funds to local communities to address nonpoint source issues to improve water quality. Learn more about the program, upcoming grant deadlines and where projects have been funded in the past.

319 Grant Reporter

  • The 319 Grant Report tool provides some of the watershed scale information required for 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant applications including TMDLs, assessment information, priority watershed status, and special use designations.

Agriculture Success Stories

  • Agriculture producers across the state use practices to help prevent soil erosion and protect water quality. Check out these great examples!

KY Watershed Explorer

  • Learn more using the KY Watershed Explorer.

Nutrient Loads and Yields in Kentucky Study

  • The Division of Water is working to address nutrients in our waterways. Learn more about Kentucky's Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
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401 Water Quality Certification Map Viewer Tool

  • The 401 Water Quality Certification Map Viewer Tool will assist the user to verify authorization for an activity under a General Water Quality Certification or if an Individual Water Quality Certification is required.

MS4 Reporter

  • The MS4 Reporter, found within the Kentucky Watershed Explorer, allows a user to produce a report containing information often needed by MS4 programs.

Public Notice Viewer

  • The Public Notice Viewer is a web-based searchable system that provides daily updates on actions being public noticed by Department for Environmental Protection.
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Kentucky Public Water Systems Interconnections Maps

  • Using an interactive map, click a region in Kentucky to view diagrams of water system interconnections that region.

Regionalization Progress

  • Learn how water utilities have worked to combine resources and improve service across the Commonwealth (toggle the swipe bar to see historic versus current systems).

MS4 Reporter

  • The MS4 Reporter, found within the Kentucky Watershed Explorer, allows a user to produce a report containing information often needed by MS4 programs.

Source Water Protection Viewer

  • Explore source water protection areas, potential sources of contamination and susceptible areas of contamination.

Utilities Explorer

  • The Utilities Explorer, found within the Kentucky Watershed Explorer, provides information on capacity and treatment for both Drinking Water Systems and Wastewater Systems.
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5 Ways to Save

  • Explore 5 simple ways to save big on your water bill with conservation.

KY Water Hero: Communications Toolkit

  • Guidelines for how to build a communications strategy for water conservation.

Kentucky Water Heroes

  • Take the Kentucky Water Hero Pledge to conserve water.​
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401 Water Quality Certification Map Viewer Tool

  • The 401 Water Quality Certification Map Viewer Tool will assist the user to verify authorization for an activity under a General Water Quality Certification or if an Individual Water Quality Certification is required.

KY Watershed Explorer

  • Launch pad for 319 Grant Reporter, GW/SW Explorer, Utilities Explorer, Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network Viewer and MS4 Reporter.

Marina Pumpout Locations in Kentucky Viewer

  • Locate a marina in Kentucky with pumpout facilities.

Source Water Protection in Kentucky

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GW/SW Explorer

  • Explore source water protection areas, permitted surface water withdrawals, permitted discharge locations, wells, springs and karst features using the GW/SW Explorer, found within the Kentucky Watershed Explorer.

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Viewer

  • Explore current HAB advisories and/or reported bloom status.

KY Integrated Report Hubsite

  • Information about the most recent Integrated Report to Congress on the Condition of Water Resources in Kentucky.

KY Watershed Explorer

  • Launch pad for 319 Grant Reporter, GW/SW Explorer, Utilities Explorer, Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Network Viewer and MS4 Reporter.

Marina Pumpout Locations in Kentucky Viewer

  • Locate a marina in Kentucky with pumpout facilities

Source Water Protection Viewer

  • Explore source water protection areas, potential sources of contamination and susceptible areas of contamination.

Special Waters Viewer

  • Explore Kentucky's Exceptional and Outstanding National Resource Waters (401 KAR 10:030) and Cold Water Aquatic Habitat and Outstanding State Resource Waters (401 KAR 10:026)
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Drought Viewer

  • Learn more about current drought conditions in each county across the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Public Water Systems Interconnections Maps

  • Using an interactive map, click a region in Kentucky to view diagrams of water system interconnections that region.
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Well Driller Locator

  • Find contact information for drillers certified to drill water or monitoring wells in Kentucky.

Well Record Information Viewer

  • Well drillers can use this viewer to find geographic information to aid in submitting an installation record or depth and other identifying information for existing wells to aid in submitting a rework or plugging record.
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GIS Resources​​​

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)

  • Maps and apps using KDFWR data

Kentucky Digital Elevation Model Download Center

  • Download KY digital elevation model data (DEMs)

Kentucky Geography Network

  • Kentucky Geography Network
    • Launching pad for KyFromAbove, KyGovMaps Open Data Portal, and KyStoryMaps sites

  • KyFromAbove
    • Kentucky's Aerial Photography & Elevation Data Program, including web maps, KyRaster imagery & elevation data service endpoints

  • KYGovMaps Open Data Portal
    • Explore Kentucky with Web Maps and Apps

  • KyStoryMaps
    • Tour Kentucky with Interactive Story Maps

    • Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS)

    • Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository - Groundwater Quality Data
      • Download groundwater quality data from laboratory measured or field measured analytes by group within various search locations.

    • Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository - Well & Spring Records
      • Explore water well and spring data by county, quadrangle, AKGWA, or radius around a point of interest. Find location, use, construction, lithology, and casing data for a well. Download scanned installation records, spring inventories, and other related documentation.

    • KGS Maps and GIS
      • Use interactive maps, connect to map services, download geologically-related data

      • Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA)

      • KIA Web Viewers
        • Links to KY water infrastructure viewer and wastewater infrastructure viewer.

      • KIA WRIS Portal
        • Explore the Water Resource Information System (WRIS) Portal maintained by KY Infrastructure Authority for data related to water resources, drinking water systems, wastewater treatment systems, project development, emergency response, regulations and planning.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Landsat Science

  • Learn about available Landsat data, where to get it and how to use it.

US Board on Geographic Names (BGN)

  • Search, download and propose names for mapped features in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

  • National Hydrography Products
    • The NHDPlus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR), National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) are available both for download and as map services.

  • USGS Main Page
    • Explore real-time data, APIs, topographic and geologic maps, GIS data, The National Map, GNIS and more.

  • USGS Real-Time Data
    • Explore online maps with real-time data for earthquakes, water, floods, geomagnetism, landsat, landslides, volcanoes, droughts and wildfires.

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Kentucky GIS Standards and Statutes

  • Access KY GIS statutes, data and software standards and Geographic Information Advisory Council information.
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More to Explore

DOW Water Maps Portal
​For more information contact:
Jo Blanset​​​
DOW GIS Point of Contact
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300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, KY 40601    

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