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OVERVIEW
Geography. The Kentucky River 205
250 watershed occupies central Franklin County and continues along the border
between Henry and Owen Counties. The land is in the hills of the bluegrass
subregion of the Bluegrass physiographic region, characterized by hilly terrain,
very rapid surface runoff, and slow groundwater drainage. Much 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 parts of the watershed
lie over interbedded shales and limestones (these are 20% limestone; water
conduction is poor because of the clay content of the shale). Still other areas
are underlain by interbedded limestones and shales (>20% limestone, allowing
groundwater flow where the clay content is low enough). Unconsolidated silts,
sands, and gravels occur along the flood plain of the river and on adjoining
upland terraces.
Waterways. This watershed includes the Kentucky River from the mouth
of Benson Creek in Frankfort to the mouth of Eagle Creek at the Carroll County
line. Among the creeks that feed it within the watershed are Barrel Branch,
Stony Creek, Duvall Branch, Steeles Branch, Sand Ripple Creek, Stevens Creek,
Pot Ripple Creek, Clay Lick Creek, Canes Run, Gullion Creek, and Little Twin
Creek. Water from the Kentucky River 205 140, Benson Creek, Elkhorn Creek, Flat
Creek, Cedar Creek, Severn Creek, Sixmile Creek, Drennon Creek, and Mill Creek
& Big Twin Creek watersheds also flows into this watershed.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is about 45% agricultural
and 45% rural and wooded; about 5% is residential. Five 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 that only partially supports its designated uses, based on
biological and/or water-quality data. Pathogens 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 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. No volunteer data were collected in this watershed in
1999.
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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MAPS
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