Water Week

March 18 – 25, 2023*

Water, water, everywhere – though oftentimes unseen! Lexington is celebrating Water Week this spring. Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of surface rivers and streams. Natural, underground waterways are also present in much of the state, including in Central Kentucky.

Join us in celebrating the importance of water and our role in protecting it. It’s a week of activities for all ages, abilities and interests. 

Water Week is sponsored by Kentucky American Water, UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the City of Lexington and local watershed groups.

*Note: due to inclement weather, the Creek Critters event has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 1.

Saturday, March 18

Reforest 5K | 8 – 9:30 a.m.

3551 Briar Hill Road, Lexington, Ky. 40516

Organizer: John's Run/Walk Shop and Division of Environmental Services

We're so excited to be back in person for this event at Hisle Farm Park, where proceeds from the 3.1 mile run/walk will help raise money to purchase trees for this year’s Reforest the Bluegrass.

All race participants will receive sustainability swag from Live Green Lexington, a Reforest 5K shirt, and the option to take a tree to plant at home after their run or walk. Participants can also choose to have their tree planted on their behalf at Reforest.

Register

 

Sweep the Creek! | 9 a.m. – noon

830 Charwood Dr., Lexington, Ky. 40515

Organizer: Bluegrass Trout Unlimited

Volunteers will meet at the parking lot located at the end of Rockbridge Dr. and will be collecting litter and other trash from West Hickman Creek area in Veterans Park. The organizers (BGTU) will provide materials such as gloves, bags, buckets, etc. Participants should have footwear that is appropriate for wading or hiking the stream bank. Hickman Creek Conservancy members will also be present with trash collection gear. Volunteers can come for all or any part of the planned activity time period.

Parking in the small lot is very limited, but there is curbside parking on Rockbridge Dr.

Sunset Creek Walk | 6:30 – 8 p.m.

3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington, Ky. 40515

Organizer: Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

Join us on a quiet walk down to Raven Run Creek as the sun goes down. Trail will be moderate and about 3/4 mile in length. Participants are welcome to finish their evening by attending Stargazing with the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club, which will be held at Raven Run following the Sunset Creek Walk.

The front gate will open 15 minutes before program start time. Participants will park in our main visitor lot as directed by an onsite staff member, and then proceed to the nature center where the walk will begin.

Register

Sunday, March 19

UK Stream Restoration Bioblitz! | 1 – 3 p.m.

181 Alumni Dr., Lexington, Ky. 40503

This event is a citizen science bioblitz effort being conducted at the Alumni Drive/Nicholasville Road stream restoration site on University of Kentucky's campus as a part of Lexington Kentucky's Water Week 2023. This bioblitz will focus on gathering as many field observations of the flora and fauna at the site as possible.

Parking will be available in the Orange lot across Alumni Drive from the stream restoration site.

Participants will need a smart phone with an active data plan, the iNaturalist app downloaded, and an active iNaturalist account (free). Close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for being outside based on the day's weather will be needed, along with water and any snacks or personal items that the participant may need.

Sign up

A Wet and Wild Watershed | 2 – 4 p.m.

565 Wellington Way, Lexington, Ky. 40504

Organizer: Neighbors United for South Elkhorn Creek

Please visit our table near the bridge (weather cooperating) and learn more about South Elkhorn Creek watershed, water quality, and see our kid-friendly display demonstrating factors which impact water quality!

Learn more

 

Monday, March 20

Bilingual Guided Hike through McConnell Springs | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

416 Rebmann Lane, Lexington, Ky. 40504

Join us for a slow, guided walk around McConnell Springs Park to learn about the water features unique to the area and the role of the park throughout Lexington’s history. This event will be led in English, with translation services available in Spanish.

Learn more

Tuesday, March 21

Stormwater Grants Virtual Q&A | 6 – 7 p.m.

City staff are offering question and answer session opportunities for community members who want to learn more about the Class A Neighborhood and Class B Education Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grants and the application process.

The Q&A is open to the public and will be held over Zoom.

Register for the webinar

Wednesday, March 22

Stormwater Grants Virtual Q&A | 2 – 3 p.m.

City staff are offering question and answer session opportunities for community members who want to learn more about the Class A Neighborhood and Class B Education Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grants and the application process.

The Q&A is open to the public and will be held over Zoom.

Register for the webinar

Friday, March 24

PFAS and the Future of Water and Public Health: A Conversation with Rob Bilott | 10 – 11 a.m.

Singletary Center Recital Hall, 405 Rose Street, Lexington, Ky. 40506

Organizer: Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute

The keynote presentation with panel and facilitated discussion with Rob Bilott, the environmental lawyer who became “DuPont’s worst nightmare,” according to The New York Times after his legal battle to expose the health hazards of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The story in his book, Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer’s Twenty-Year Battle Against Dupont, inspired the major motion picture, Dark Waters (November 2019), featuring Academy-Award nominee Mark Ruffalo as Rob Bilott. The event is free with seating available on a first-come first-served basis.

This event is sponsored by University of Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute in conjunction with the UK Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences, UK Superfund Research Center, the UK Center for the Environment, and the UK J. David Rosenberg College of Law.

Visitor parking is available at Cornerstone Garage (409 South Limestone) at an hourly rate.

Canceled: UK CATchment Cleanup | 3 – 6 p.m.

Note: this event has been canceled due to inclement weather.

Farm Road

Organizer: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Water Quality Extension

This event is a service-learning event at the University of Kentucky's Farm Road Rain Garden. Participants will learn about green infrastructure for stormwater management and the benefits of incorporating green spaces and outdoor learning environments into campus. There will also be a service portion of the event where participants will clean up trash, manage plants, and mulch the site.

The event's primary focus is UK students from around campus, but community members are welcome to stop by. However, no parking will be available nearby for individuals without a UK parking permit.

Close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for being outside based on the day's weather will be needed, along with water and any snacks or personal items that the participant may need.

Learn more

Saturday, March 25

Household Hazardous Waste Day | 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

1631 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, Ky, 40504

Fayette County residents can drop off the hazardous materials that have accumulated in their homes. The city will properly dispose of them, free of charge.  

Learn more

Shillito Park Trash Pickup | 9 a.m. – noon

300 W. Reynolds Road, Lexington, Ky. 40503

Organizer: UK Lewis Honors College

Help us pick up trash from Reforest the Bluegrass sites at Shillito Park! Wear closed-toed shoes. Dress for the weather and plan to get muddy.

Park in the gravel lot across from the fire station.

Register

Let's Go Plogging! | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

317 S. Ashland Avenue, Lexington, Ky. 40502

Organizer: John's Run/Walk Shop

Plogging combines jogging and picking up litter. It's a fun way to improve your health and the health of your community. Join us at John's Run/Walk Shop on South Ashland Ave. for running and cleaning our streets.

We'll provide you with trash bags and routes of varying distances. After the run, we'll weigh everyone's trash bags and raffle off awesome prizes. Wear comfortable running clothing and shoes.

Learn more

Canceled: UK Stream Restoration Bioblitz! | 10 a.m. – noon

Note: this event has been canceled due to inclement weather.

570 Wildcat Court, Lexington, Ky. 40502

Organizer: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Water Quality Extension

This event is a citizen science bioblitz effort being conducted at the Alumni Drive stream restoration site adjacent to John Cropp Softball Stadium on University of Kentucky's campus as a part of Lexington Kentucky's Water Week 2023. This bioblitz will focus on gathering as many field observations of the flora and fauna at the site as possible.

Participants will need a smart phone with an active data plan, the iNaturalist app downloaded, and an active iNaturalist account (free). Close toed shoes and appropriate clothing for being outside based on the day's weather will be needed, along with water and any snacks or personal items that the participant may need.

Register

Canceled: Sweep the Creek | 10 a.m. – noon

Note: this event has been canceled due to inclement weather.

2800 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, Ky. 40502

Organizer: Hickman Creek Conservancy

A tributary of West Hickman Creek runs along the edge of the Centenary Church property on Tates Creek Road. Volunteers will be collecting trash and litter from the stream bed and surroundings. Hickman Creek Conservancy will provide equipment such as "pickers," bags, gloves, etc. Participants should wear appropriate footwear for wet conditions.

Participants may park in the parking lot on the Tates Creek Road side of the building.

Earth Hour Night Hike | 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.

416 Rebmann Lane, Lexington, Ky. 40504

Celebrate Earth Hour with a night hike in the dark. Earth Hour encourages everyone to have a one hour "lights off" moment to show support for our planet. The slow-paced walk will be along the paved trails of the park. 

Learn more

Saturday, April 1

Creek Critters | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

3770 Forest Green

Organizer: Hickman Creek Conservancy

Join us to learn about the macroinvertebrates that live in our creeks! Family friendly event. Close-toed shoes required please.

Self-guided events


 

Storm drain stenciling

Many people do not know that storm drains lead directly to our waterways. Storm drain stenciling helps educate residents about water quality and tells people not to pour any chemicals or waste down storm inlets or drains. The stencil also provides a constant reminder that our storm drains lead straight to local waterways and that dumping can pollute those waters. Environmental Services has stenciling kits to sign out.

Request a storm drain stenciling kit

Town Branch Water Walk

A self-guided tour of Town Branch Commons and the water that runs beneath it. By walking the trail downtown, visitors may stop at 5 points to learn more about the city's water system and its history. This is a permanent installation and website that will be available beyond Water Week activities. Various translations are available online for the materials found on permanent signs along the trail by visiting the website.

Take the virtual tour

Water Quality Geocaching

Ready for a water-themed adventure? Take part in this real-world, outdoor treasure hunt to learn about water quality topics throughout Lexington. The Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works has hidden a number of geocaches to draw attention to water issues throughout the city. The goal is to highlight infrastructure projects, local creeks, and water-related points of interest.

Get started geocaching

Contact