|
 Back
to Watershed
Page
Be
advised:
please
read
our
disclaimer
| |
|
OVERVIEW
Geography. The Upper Howard Creek
watershed covers southeastern Clark County. The land 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 watershed lies partly above fractured shales through which groundwater can
easily move but which stores very little water. Other sections of the watershed
lie over easily weathered clay shales that store water but allow little
groundwater flow. There are also areas of interbedded shales and limestones
(these are 20% limestone; water conduction is poor because of the clay content
of the shale) and areas of interbedded limestones and shales (>20% limestone,
allowing groundwater flow where the clay content is low enough).
Waterways. Upper Howard Creek empties into the Kentucky River east of
Ford. Among the creeks that feed it are Dry Fork, Kings Fork, and Little Howard
Creek.
Land and water use. Land in the watershed is about 75% agricultural
and more than 20% rural and wooded. 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 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.)
|
MAPS
[You may click the maps below to view them
close up.]
 |
Help File Links: