The Hickman Creek
watershed covers south-central Fayette County and northeastern Jessamine County.
The land is in the Bluegrass physiographic region. The watershed lies mainly in
the inner subregion of the Bluegrass, characterized by undulating terrain and
moderate rates of both surface runoff and groundwater drainage. Part of the
watershed south of Hickman Creek in Jessamine County lies in the hills of the
bluegrass subregion, characterized by hilly terrain, very rapid surface runoff,
and slow groundwater drainage. Most of 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. Other areas lie above interbedded limestones and shales
(>20% limestone, allowing groundwater flow where the clay content is low
enough).
Waterways. Hickman Creek empties into the Kentucky River at Camp
Nelson (near US 27). Among the creeks that feed it are East Hickman Creek,
Shelby Branch, West Hickman Creek, Wymers Branch, and Marshall Branch.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is about 75% agricultural,
almost 5% rural and wooded, almost 5% commercial or industrial, and nearly 15%
residential. Surface waters of the watershed contribute to the drinking water
for Kentucky-American’s system, since the Lexington Reservoir and Lexington
Reservoir No. 4 are located on West and East Hickman Creek, respectively. 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
include two that do not support some or all of their designated uses, based on
biological and/or water-quality data. Two others only partially support uses,
and one is threatened. Pathogens and nutrients from urban runoff, storm sewers,
and 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. There are monitoring sites on Hickman and West
Hickman. Data from the Hickman Creek site indicate phosphorus levels were almost
twenty times the level at which nutrient enrichment problems may be caused (>
0.1 mg/L). See tables for details.
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