Project Background and Problem Statement

Project Background

Lake Hickman can be found off of Richmond Road and is one the largest recreational lakes located in Lexington, KY. In addition to being used for various recreational purposes, the lake is also used as a reservoir for municipal drinking water. Currently, four major companies (Alltech, KY American Water, Lexington Cartage, and Lexington West Hickman Sewer Treatment) are permitted to dispose of their waste into the lake. The excess nutrients from these wastes and residential lawn fertilization are contributing to the eutrophication of the lake. The Home Owner's Association (HOA) that manages the lake has installed several aerators in an attempt to correct anoxic conditions and is now conducting dredging operations. Stormwater draining from the developed upland areas is not subject to the environmental processes necessary to purify it because its natural pathways have been replaced with impervious channels.

A common way to treat lakes undergoing similar issues as Lake Hickman is point reduction. However, due to the size of the lake and the vastness of how and where the nutrients are spread, point reduction is beyond our scope. These nutrients provide the perfect fuel for growth for algae in the lake. These algal blooms are unsightly, and can be potentially toxic. Having a more oligotrophic lake will make for happier residents. The homeowners have been pushing for a more aesthetically pleasing, safer, and cleaner lake. By following our proposed design we hope to increase property values, and make the lake a more suitable recreational spot for those around it.