Waterways. The lower Dix River watershed includes the river itself from the mouth of Gilberts Creek southwest of Lancaster to the confluence with the Kentucky River near High Bridge. Herrington Lake makes up much of this stretch of the Dix River. Among the creeks that feed the river within this watershed are Hawkins Branch, Boone Creek, White Oak Creek, McKecknie Creek, Tanyard Branch, Cane Run, and Rocky Fork. The watershed also receives water from the Dix River (upper), Logan Creek, Hanging Fork Creek, Clarks Run, and Spears Creek & Mocks Branch watersheds.

Land and water use. Land in the watershed is almost 90% agricultural and almost 5% residential. The surface waters of the watershed supply the drinking water for the municipal system in Danville. Eleven businesses and organizations hold permits for discharges into the creeks. See tables for details.

Agency data assessment. The assessed river segments in this watershed fully support their designated uses, based on biological and/or water-quality data. Herrington Lake does not support its designated uses, because of excess nutrient enrichment from a variety of sources. 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. Phosphorus levels in the Dix River were elevated enough to cause potential nutrient enrichment problems (> 0.1 mg/L). See tables for details.