The Lower Kentucky watershed (HUC 05100205) covers an area of approximately 9,381 square miles in western and central Kentucky. The area is characterized by a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The hydrology of the watershed is dominated by the Ohio River and its tributaries. The region receives an average snowfall of 13 inches per year, with the heaviest snowpack typically occurring in January and February. Surface water quality in the watershed is generally good, with the exception of occasional nutrient and sediment runoff from agricultural activities. The major reservoirs in the watershed include Rough River Lake and Nolin River Lake, which provide water for irrigation, drinking, and recreation. Interesting climatic trends in the region include an overall warming trend over the past century, with an increase in extreme precipitation events in recent years.