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OVERVIEW
Geography. The Tate Creek
watershed lies in northwest Madison County. The upper reaches of the watershed
lie 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 part of the watershed is in the hills of the
bluegrass subregion of the Bluegrass physiographic region, 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).
Waterways. Tate Creek empties into the Kentucky River near Valley
View. Among the creeks that feed it are Irvine Lick, Finney Fork, Honey Branch,
Shallow Ford Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Long Branch.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is roughly 85%
agricultural, 8% rural and wooded, and 6% residential or commercial. Five
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 one (Shallow Ford Creek) that does not support its designated uses,
based on biological and/or water-quality data. Municipal point sources
contribute to the impairment of these streams. One segment of Tate Creek only
partially supports its uses. Agricultural and municipal sources may contribute
to this impairment. 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.
Volunteer data. There is a volunteer monitoring site on Tate Creek.
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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MAPS
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