The lower Eagle Creek watershed covers southeast Carroll County, southwest Gallatin County, and northern Owen County, with some of western Grant County. This watershed includes the section of Eagle Creek between the mouth of Tenmile Creek (near Folsom in Grant County) and the confluence of Eagle Creek with the Kentucky River, southwest of Worthville. Among the creeks that feed it are Indian Camp Creek, Moseby Branch, Hodge Branch, Lost Branch, Ellis Creek, Goose Creek, Lick Creek, Indian Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Buck Run. The watershed also receives water from the upper Eagle Creek and Tenmile Creek watersheds.

The lower Eagle Creek watershed is located in the hills of the bluegrass subregion of the Bluegrass physiographic region, and is characterized by hilly terrain, very rapid surface runoff, and slow groundwater drainage. Land in the watershed is nearly 60% agricultural, about 35% rural and wooded, and more than 5% residential and commercial. Three businesses and organizations hold permits for pollutant discharges into the creek.

Past KRWW data have shown high levels of bacteria indicative of fecal contamination in Eagle Creek (above 200/colonies/ml). The following KRWW sites are located in or near the watershed:

Major Water Quality Issues

Of 89.4 miles of streams in the watershed, 40.8 miles were assessed for the 2000 305(b) report, and 25.9 miles failed to fully support all designated uses. The upper end of Eagle Creek had levels of bacteria that were too high to support primary contact recreation (swimming and wading). A short stretch of Buck Run failed to support aquatic life to due excessive siltation, and part of Moseby Branch failed to support aquatic life due to flow and habitat alterations. Two other Eagle Creek tributaries only partially supported aquatic life; Lick Creek, due to siltation and habitat alterations, and Twomile Creek, due to flow alterations.

In 2002, the mainstem of Eagle Creek between Twomile and Tenmile Creeks (miles 0.0 to 38.8) was listed as an impaired stream by the Kentucky Division of Water due to pollution from pathogens, which caused the stream to fail to support its designated warm water uses of recreation (swimming) and aquatic life. Suspected sources of these pathogens are agricultural runoff, failing onsite wastewater (septic) systems, and straight pipes.

Development, hydrologic change and flooding-Residential and commercial development on highly erodible land (especially near Sparta and Sanders) is expected to increase. Future development around the Kentucky Speedway could have substantial impact on runoff volume. Already, severe streambank erosion is evident in places (e.g., Folsom/Glencoe area) and sedimentation elsewhere (e.g., Sanders area) has filled channels and degraded fishing opportunities. Flooding is also an issue, and development in the floodplains of Eagle Creek and its tributaries is considered a potential problem.

Sediment and nutrient runoff-There is general concern abut nutrient and sediment runoff from agricultural land and siltation from construction activities. Better design and management practices should be encouraged. For instance, construction best management practices (BMPs) for projects near the interstates and agricultural BMPs on area farms could help improve water quality.

Pathogens-Malfunctioning septic systems and unmanaged livestock waste are seen as potential ongoing contamination threats to groundwater and streams in the watershed. Maximizing residential use of sewer lines would assist in protecting public health and maintaining and enhancing recreational opportunities related to the creeks (i.e., fishing, swimming, canoeing). Flooding impacts on septic systems north of Sparta and animal waste and septic systems in unincorporated areas of the Lick Creek subwatershed are also a concern.

Local Watershed Activities

Based on an overall need for action, the lower Eagle Creek Watershed was selected as a priority watershed under the Kentucky Watershed Management Framework in 2001. Reasons for this assessment included a cluster of stream impairments among tributaries to Eagle Creek, as well as the high levels of bacteria in Eagle Creek itself which resulted in its failure to support its swimming use. In addition, the watershed was found to have a significantly higher agricultural erosion potential than other watersheds in the basin.

A new sewage line was constructed for a regional wastewater treatment plant (to be operated by Carrollton Utilities), serving Glencoe, Sparta, Sanders, Worthville and the Kentucky Speedway.  The project eliminated all package treatment plants except those at Eagle Valley Camping Resort and Eagle Creek Resort.  It is also expected to divert some of the sewage that now reaches the creek from failing septic systems and straight pipes.

The University of Kentucky's Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute is developing a TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) report for nutrient and pathogen impairment of Eagle Creek from mile 0.0 to 38.8. This report will evaluate continuing bacterial contamination of the creek and provide a strategy for limiting future contamination. Implementation of suggested solutions can be facilitated by local watershed groups and the statewide watershed management framework process.

The Northern Kentucky Health Department submitted an application to the Kentucky Division of Water for 2005 319(h) funding to decrease fecal contamination of Eagle Creek from straight pipes and failing septic systems through a technical and funding assistance program for landowners. If approved, this grant project will also include an educational and public outreach component to better inform local residents about human impacts to the stream.

In the summer of 2004, a coalition of 5 groups and agencies came together to perform a focus study for pathogens in the Ten Mile Creek watershed just upstream from the priority watershed section of the lower Eagle Creek. The purpose was to identify target areas for monitoring that would be conducted in the proposed 319 grant project. The five focus study participants were all involved in the 319 grant application process, and were eager to support this initial monitoring focus study.

Members of the Kentucky River Watershed Watch have monitored this watershed for eight years and proposed a Citizen Action Plan (CAP) to improve its water quality. By testing 5 sites twice a month during the "recreational contact season" from May through October for dissolved oxygen, pH, and several coliform types, this CAP could help identify "hot spots" in the watershed, so the grant project could "hit the ground running," giving it increased chances of success.

UK faculty and staff of the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute provided assistance in the study design (which borrowed heavily from the TMDL report), and helped secure funding to support the sample analysis. Officials of the Northern Kentucky Water District graciously offered to do the analysis and suffered cheerfully through many additions and changes in methodology. They suggested and even donated E. coli analysis for the focus study to give this effort a progressive edge; there is an emerging nationwide trend toward using E. coli in surface water analysis. The Grant County Conservation District has been monitoring for several parameters in Grant County for many years and was crucial in assisting with the sampling during the project. The Northern Kentucky Health Department provided staff and logistical support for the focus study project.

Results of the sample analysis support the need for reducing inadequate septic systems as well as agricultural practices that allow animal manure to contaminate the streams of this watershed. The areas where testing indicated the highest levels of fecal pollution will be targeted during the 2005 319 Grant project. Perhaps even more important than the physical pollutant reductions, however, may be the need for the people of this watershed to "buy into" the protection of these waters so that there will be a continuing level of protection through time based on the citizens' own desire to be good stewards of their home.

To that end, the Eagle Creek Watershed Council is currently recruiting members who can help make this vision a reality. Drawing on the local community and tying into locally based efforts to showcase the talents of its students, citizens, businesses, farmers and sports enthusiasts is a natural way to draw attention to the beauty and value of the county's natural resources. Several initiatives for the summer of 2005 are expected to help strengthen efforts to generate local support for watershed based protection and restoration efforts. More information about upcoming events will be published on the ECWC website.

Formed in 2004, the Eagle Creek Watershed Council's goal is to "improve quality of life for people living in the Eagle Creek Watershed through education and stewardship to protect the community's land and water resources for citizens today and tomorrow." The Watershed Council received funding assistance through the Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) as part of a 319 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. KWA staff will continue to provide assistance to the Eagle Creek Watershed Council through funding assistance from the Kentucky River Authority's watershed grant program. More information about KWA and the Watershed Council can be found on KWA's website at http://www.kwalliance.org/WCeaglecreek/index.html.

Photos of the Lower Eagle Creek Watershed