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OVERVIEW
Geography. The Cow Creek watershed
is located in north-central Estill County. Most of the watershed is in the
escarpment area of the Eastern Coal Field physiographic region, characterized by
hilly terrain, very rapid surface runoff, and moderate rates of groundwater
drainage. The lowest, southern section of the watershed is in the Knobs
physiographic region, characterized by hilly terrain, very rapid surface runoff,
and very slow groundwater drainage. In level parts of the Knobs, runoff and
groundwater drainage are slow. The watershed is underlain by coals, sandstones,
and shales: this geology is generally conducive to productive wells, although
water quality may be low for wells that draw from coal layers. Parts of the
watershed lie over easily weathered clay shales that store water but allow
little groundwater flow. Other parts of the watershed lie above interbedded clay
shales and siltstones.
Waterways. Cow Creek empties into the Kentucky River at Ravenna.
Among the creeks that feed it are Rogers Fork, Tickey Fork, and Campbell Creek.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is mainly rural and wooded;
about 5% is agricultural. Four businesses and organizations hold permits for
discharges into the creeks. See tables for details.
Agency data assessment. The assessed creek segments in this watershed
fully support their designated uses, based on biological and/or water-quality
data. See tables for details.
Watershed rankings. The ranking formula provides a preliminary
ranking by synthesizing a broad spectrum of watershed characteristics, current
conditions, and threats. This watershed ranks in the group with the lowest need
for protection and/or restoration. This rating is for the watershed on average:
particular sites and particular waters within the watershed may vary widely. See
tables for details.
Volunteer data. No volunteer data were collected in this watershed in
1999.
TABLES
Click here to view tables for this watershed, in PDF format. These
tables include land-use characteristics, designated uses, stream assessments,
public water supply and water withdrawal sites, permitted discharge sites,
gaging and sampling sites, volunteer data, and values for the 35 indicators used
in calculating watershed rankings. (You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the
tables: Adobe
Systems will let you download a free
copy.)
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MAPS
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