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OVERVIEW
Geography. The Millers Creek
watershed occupies the eastern tip of Estill County and northern Lee County. The
land is in the escarpment area of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field physiographic
region, characterized by hilly terrain, very rapid surface runoff, and moderate
rates of groundwater drainage. The watershed is underlain by coals, sandstones,
and shales: this geology is generally conducive to productive wells, although
water quality may be low for wells that draw from coal layers. Some of the
watershed lies over sandstone aquifers and some over easily weathered clay
shales that store water but allow little groundwater flow. Other parts of the
watershed lie above interbedded clay shales and siltstones.
Waterways. Millers Creek empties into the Kentucky River between
Pryse and the town of Millers Creek. Among the creeks that feed it are Cave
Fork, Zachariah Fork, Little Sinking Creek, Billey Fork, Woodward Creek, Furnace
Fork, and Sudders Fork.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is more than 80% rural and
wooded, about 15% industrial, and about 3% agricultural. 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
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.
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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