Waterways. The North Fork Kentucky River flows east and crosses a watershed boundary near Blackey, where Rockhouse Creek joins it to flow into the North Fork (upper) watershed. Among the many creeks that feed it in the headwaters watershed are Millstone Creek, Potter Fork, Cram Creek, and Pine Creek.

Land and water use. Land in the watershed is nearly all rural and wooded. The surface waters of the watershed supply the drinking water for the municipal systems of Whitesburg and Fleming-Neon. Twenty-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 four that do not support some or all of their designated uses, based on biological and/or water-quality data. Siltation, pH, and organic enrichment from septic systems 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. No volunteer data were collected in this watershed in 1999.