Land and water use. Land in the watershed is about 80% agricultural; the rest is urban, and almost 10% is residential. The watershed includes downtown Lexington and the University of Kentucky. Twenty-one 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 five that do not support some or all of their designated uses, based on biological and/or water-quality data. Three others only partially support their uses. Pathogens, organic enrichment, alterations of flow and habitat, agricultural practices, municipal point sources, storm sewers, and urban runoff contribute to the impairment of these streams. Total maximum daily load (TMDL) plans are in progress for Wolf Run and Town Branch. 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. Volunteers sample seventeen sites in the watershed. Data for Beals Run, Steeles Branch, and one of the sites on South Elkhorn Creek show high levels of bacteria indicative of fecal contamination (above 200 colonies/ml). Lees Branch exhibited elevated sulfate levels. Phosphorus levels at every site where it was analyzed were well above the level that may cause potential nutrient enrichment problems (> 0.1 mg/L). Town Branch and three sites on South Elkhorn showed nitrate nitrogen concentrations above 10 mg/l (the drinking water supply standard and EPA’s maximum contaminant level). Lead, copper, selenium, and thallium were significant in several samples. Traces of the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos were detected at a few sites. See tables for details.