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OVERVIEW
Geography. The Sixmile Creek
watershed covers southeast Henry County and northeast Shelby County. The higher,
western portion of the watershed is in the outer subregion of the Bluegrass
physiographic region, characterized by undulating terrain, moderate to rapid
surface runoff, and moderate rates of groundwater drainage. The lower, eastern
portion of the watershed is in the hills of the bluegrass subregion,
characterized by hilly terrain, very rapid surface runoff, and slow groundwater
drainage. 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). 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 creek in Henry County.
Waterways. Sixmile Creek empties into the Kentucky River at Lockport.
Among the creeks that feed it are Dutch Fork, Burger Fork, Indian Fork, Sweet
Home Branch, Backbone Creek, Bantas Fork, Salt River, Little Sixmile Creek, Boyd
Branch, Woodcocks Branch, Longs Branch, Joes Branch, and Hances Branch.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is about half agricultural
and half rural and wooded. Three businesses and organizations hold permits for
discharges into the creeks. See tables for details.
Agency data assessment. Of the three assessed creek segments in this
watershed, Bantas Fork only partially supports its designated uses, based on
biological and/or water-quality data. Habitat alteration and siltation
contribute to the impairment of the stream. 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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