The Hanging Fork Creek
watershed covers northwestern Lincoln County and includes parts of Casey and
Boyle Counties. The land is in the outer subregion of the Bluegrass
physiographic region, characterized by undulating terrain, moderate to rapid
surface runoff, and moderate rates of groundwater drainage. The watershed lies
partly above fractured shales through which groundwater can easily move but
which stores very little water. Other sections lie over interbedded clay shales
and siltstones. There are also areas of interbedded shales and limestones (these
are 20% limestone; water conduction is poor because of the clay content of the
shale).
Waterways. Hanging Fork Creek empties into the Dix River west of
Lancaster, near Hedgeville. Among the creeks that feed it are Baughman Creek,
McKinney Branch, Peyton Creek, Blue Lick Creek, White Oak Creek, Harris Creek,
and Knoblick Creek.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is almost 80% agricultural,
16% rural and wooded, and 4% residential. Three businesses and organizations
hold permits for discharges into the creeks. See tables for details.
Agency data assessment. The assessed creek segments in this watershed
include one part of Hanging Fork Creek that does not support some or all of its
designated uses, based on biological and/or water-quality data. Pathogens from
agricultural sources contribute to the impairment of these streams. 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 highest 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. A significant amount of the triazine herbicide
atrazine was detected at the volunteer monitoring station on Hanging Fork Creek
(>1 microgram per liter); however, the concentration of atrazine was well
below the EPA’s maximum contaminant level of 3 micrograms per liter. See
tables for details.
Help File Links: