Kentucky Watershed Planning
This page provides information on the watershed plans that are currently being generated, as well as finalized plans authored by KWRI, and links to watershed plans that were produced by other entities.
GLENNS CREEK WATERSHED PLAN
The Glenns Creek Watershed is located in Woodford and Franklin Counties in Central Kentucky. It covers a total area of approximately 33.8 square miles and includes much of the city of Versailles and the community of Millville. It is also the location of several notable horse farms and distilleries, which are signature industries for Kentucky.
In 2021, a watershed planning project was initiated through a collaboration between the Kentucky Water Research Institute (KWRI), the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (UKCES), the City of Versailles, the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW), and multiple industry and agricultural partners from throughout the watershed. The goals of the project are 1) to characterize the waterways and watershed area, 2) to characterize the community stakeholder perspectives on the water resources, and 3) to increase the community leadership capacity for watershed improvement.
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For more information on the interactive watershed planning process, click here.
NORTH FORK: WHITESBURG TRIBUTARIES WATERSHED PLAN, LETCHER COUNTY, KY
The North Fork: Whitesburg Tributaries Watershed Plan developed in 2020 under this project, provides a path to improve waterbodies impacted by poor wastewater treatment, coal mining, and encroachments on floodplain by housing and roadways.
(wading / fishing / boating) was impacted in the headwaters of Dry Fork and along Crafts Colly. These impacts are due primarily to human wastewater, causing elevated nitrogen and phosphorus as well. Surveys identified severe erosion on 1.32 miles of streams, primarily related to channelization due to road construction or placement. Stream pH was neutral, but iron and cadmium concentrations were above regulatory criteria for aquatic life use in several locations.
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Survey results showed that the community believed the greatest impacts to water quality are from failing septic systems or straight pipes, trash in streams, and mining runoff. The community also believed water quality improvements were important and supported funding for this need. Low income levels and lack of property ownership does discourage some implementation action, and some fear lingers that the economy will be affected if water quality issues are publicized.
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The watershed implementation plan identifies 57 best management practices including ten for bacteria impacts, six related to trash, seven related to mining impacts, 21 related to education and outreach, and 13 related to habitat improvement and erosion controls.
KENTUCKY WATERSHED PLANS
Chestnut Creek
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South Fork Little River
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Pleasant Run
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Bacon Creek
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Cane Run
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Hanging Fork
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Clarks Run
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Lower Howards Creek
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Red Bird River
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West Hickman
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Ten Mile Creek
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Wolf Run
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Banklick Creek
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Gunpowder Creek
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Dry Creek
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Gunpowder Creek Supplement
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Hancock Creek
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Stockton Creek
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Hinkston Creek
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Triplett Creek
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Woolper Creek
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Currys Fork
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Middle Fork Beargrass Creek
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Darby Creek
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Sulphur Creek
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Brushy Creek
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Lower Rock Creek
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Corbin City Reservoir
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