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OVERVIEW
Geography. The Crystal Creek
watershed lies in central Lee County. The land is in the plateau area of the
Eastern Kentucky Coal Field physiographic region, characterized by rolling
terrain, medium to rapid surface runoff, and slow to moderate groundwater
drainage. 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
sandstone aquifers.
Waterways. Crystal Creek empties into the Kentucky River at
Beattyville. Among the creeks that feed it are Threemile Branch. Silver Creek,
just to the west, is also included in this watershed.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is mostly rural and wooded,
but 15% is agricultural. No businesses or organizations hold permits for
discharges into the creeks. See tables for details.
Agency data assessment. No creeks in this watershed were assessed.
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. Data show high levels of bacteria indicative of fecal
contamination in Crystal Creek (above 200 colonies/ml). Levels of sulfur,
copper, and thallium were elevated at the site. See tables for details.
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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