The Kentucky River 204
080 watershed covers parts of western Estill County and eastern Madison County.
The land 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 lies partly
above fractured shales through which groundwater can easily move but which
stores very little water. Other parts of the watershed lie over easily weathered
clay shales that store water but allow little groundwater flow.
Waterways. This watershed includes the section of the Kentucky River
between Station Camp Creek (Irvine) and the Red River (Clark County-Estill
County line). Among the creeks that feed it are Calloway Creek, Possum Run, Blue
Run, Falling Branch, Flint Creek, and Noland Creek. Water from the Station Camp
Creek, Kentucky River 204 030, White Oak Creek, and Drowning Creek watersheds
also flows into this watershed.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is about half agricultural
and half rural and wooded; commercial and residential areas make up about 3%.
The surface waters of the watershed supply the drinking water for municipal
systems in Irvine and Richmond. Six 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 a moderate 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.
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