Waterways. The Middle Fork Kentucky River (headwaters) watershed includes the Middle Fork up to its confluence with Cutshin Creek at Dryhill (near the Boone Parkway). Among the other creeks that feed the river in this watershed are Greasy Creek, Beech Fork, Stinnett Creek, Rockhouse Creek, and Bull Creek.

Land and water use. Land in the watershed is rural and wooded. The surface waters of the watershed supply the drinking water for the Green Hills and Hyden Leslie County Water Districts. Nineteen 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. One segment of Greasy Creek is designated as threatened. 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. Data show high levels of bacteria (above 200 colonies/ml) indicative of fecal contamination at one of two sites sampled in 1999. Data also show elevated sulfate and chromium at one site and elevated antimony, chromium, selenium, and thallium at the other. See tables for details.