The South Elkhorn Creek watershed covers western Fayette County, and northeastern Woodford County, and the southern edges of Scott and Franklin Counties. South Elkhorn Creek empties into Elkhorn Creek at Forks of Elkhorn. Among the creeks that feed it are Vaughns Branch, Wolf Run, Steeles Run, Town Branch, Cave Creek, Shannon Run, Lee Branch, Beals Run, Buck Run, Hickman Branch, and Slickway Branch.

The land is in the inner subregion of the Bluegrass physiographic region, characterized by undulating terrain and moderate rates of both surface runoff and groundwater drainage. The watershed lies above thick layers of easily dissolved limestone that form carbonate aquifers. Groundwater flows through channels in the limestone, so caves and springs are common in regions with this geology.

Land in the watershed is about 80% agricultural; the rest is urban, and almost 10% is residential. The watershed includes downtown Lexington and the University of Kentucky. Twenty-one businesses and organizations hold permits for discharges into the creeks.

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

Major Water Quality Issues

The South Elkhorn is among the largest and most populous watersheds in the basin. It includes urban and suburban areas and agricultural land. The top priorities for the watershed are to mount a determined effort to reduce the pollution from urban stormwater runoff, to prevent flood losses, to safeguard public health by tracking and eliminating sources of pathogens in surface waters, and to reduce phosphorus loading that threatens the ecological balance of the streams. One strategy that addresses all of these goals is the adoption of new approaches to planning new development and designing drainage systems. Another is restoration of trees and other natural vegetation adjacent to streams. Educational outreach is critical for raising public awareness of the problems and solutions, in both urban and rural sections.

Of 122 miles of streams in the watershed, 59.9 miles were assessed for the 2000 305(b) report, and six assessed creek segments (17.8 miles) did not fully support all of their designated uses, based on biological and water quality data. Pathogens, organic enrichment, alteration of flow and habitat, agricultural practices, municipal point sources, storm sewers, and urban runoff contribute to the impairment of these streams. Specifically, the 2000 305(b) assessments show that: Lee Branch in Midway only partially supports primary contact, due to pathogens; Wolf Run in Lexington fails to support primary contact and only partially supports aquatic life; one segment of South Elkhorn Creek fails to support aquatic life due to siltation; and three segments of Town Branch in Lexington only partially support aquatic life-two of which fail to support primary contact due to pathogens. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plans are under development by KWRI for low dissolved oxygen and nutrients in South Elkhorn Creek and Town Branch. KWRI is also completing TMDL studies on pathogens to address problems in Town Branch, Wolf Run, and South Elkhorn Creek.

Local Watershed Activities

Although the South Elkhorn Creek watershed is among the most polluted and most populated in the basin, it is also the focus of many efforts to prevent and reverse degradation. The Bluegrass Conservancy and Thoroughbred RC&D secured $100,000 for a program to purchase easements to reduce nonpoint source pollution, specifically in the South Elkhorn, North Elkhorn, and Elkhorn Creek watersheds. The purchase of development rights program in Fayette County will also help preserve open space.

The Planning Committee of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council resolved to support the city's involvement in a Framework task force for the South Elkhorn. Council members are concerned with and active in issues such as stormwater management, greenspace preservation, and stream restoration projects.

Lexington's water quality engineer has implemented a number of programs to characterize and rectify water pollution in the city's streams. Public education and public involvement are an important emphasis in these programs. For instance, the Reforest the Bluegrass event is held annually, enabling community volunteers to plant thousands of native tree seedlings along local streams and providing community education on ways to reduce human impacts to water quality.

The county has planning and zoning, and water and water quality management are central to the greenway master plan. Fayette County's water quality assessments and stormwater studies are conducted on a watershed basis. The county's Division of Engineering plans to inspect stormwater and KPDES permits watershed by watershed.

Potential partners in Fayette County, in addition to the urban-county government, include Town Branch Trail, a nonprofit group whose objective is to create a greenway along Town Branch. Rehabilitating the stream corridor, restoring natural habitat, and addressing water quality impairments in the creek are important to the creation of the greenway. The Town Branch Trail organization is continuously seeking grant opportunities and was expected to begin construction on the first two miles of trail (from Masterson Station Park to Alexandria Drive) in the spring of 2004 through funding from a TEA-21 grant. Town Branch Trail also received a 2004 grant from the Kentucky River Authority to develop audiovisual materials to be used for educational outreach throughout the Fayette County area.