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Paducah Site
activities. This infonnation is· essential to
characterize atmospheric transport and diffusion
conditions in the vicinity of the Paducah Site.
On-site meteorological data are used as
input to calculate radiation dose to the public
(see Section 6). Additional meteorological data
from Barkley Regional Airport are used by some
groups; For example, the Environmental
Restoration Program uses this data to correlate
precipitation with groundwater flow.
Computer-aided atmospheric dispersion
modeling uses emission and meteorological data
to determine the impacts of plant operations.
Modeling is used to simulate the transport of air
contaminants and to predict the effects of
abnonnal airborne emissions from a given
source. In addition, a multitude of emergency
scenarios can be developed to estimate the
effects of unplanned releases on employees and
popUlation centers downwind of the source.
Ohio River (L 29), downstream Ohio River (L
30), downstream in the Ohio River at the
confluence with the Mississippi River (L 306),
and reference stream Massac Creek (L 64). No
sample point exists for upstream Little Bayou
Creek as the watershed is insufficient to develop
adequate flow to monitor. Nearly all water in
Little Bayou Creek is comprised of discharges
from· plant outfalls. Therefore, background
water quality for Little Bayou Creek is based on
L I (upstream Bayou Creek). L 29 and L 64 are
reference waterways also used for comparisons
with data for Little Bayou Creek surveillances.
Figure 5.1 shows all surface water sampling
locations, including those used only for
nonradiological sampling (Section 8). Table 5.1
shows the radiological analytical parameters.
Surface Water Surveillance Results
Table 5.2 reflects the average concentrations
of radionuclides present upstream and
downstream of plant effluents in Bayou Creek
Surface Water
All Paducah Site surface water runoff is
released either to the west to Bayou Creek or to
the east to Little Bayou Creek via plant outfalls.
Bayou and Little Bayou creeks merge north of
the site and discharge into the Ohio River. The
net impact of the Paducah Site on ·surface waters
can be evaluatoo by comparing data from
samples collected upstream of the site with data
from samples collected downstream of the site or
from reference waterways. Bayou and Little
Bayou· Creeks are considered to be waters of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky and designated for
all uses by the Commonwealth. However,
because these creeks are not used as drinking
water supplies, EPA safe drinking water
standards do not apply. Radioactive effluents
are controlled via DOE Order 5400.5.
Bimonthly radiological sampling is
conducted at upstream Bayou· Creek (L 1),
downstream Bayou Creek (L 5), downstream
Little Bayou Creek (L 10 and L 11), upstream
'L306
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Figure 5.1 Surface water monitoring locations.
5-2
Radiological Environmental Surveillance