Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek Watershed

LOJIC Disclaimer

The Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek watershed is approximately 25 square miles, and includes a section of metropolitan Louisville. The Middle Fork begins in the Middletown area, runs through Cherokee and Seneca Parks, and later empties into the South Fork of Beargrass Creek. There are two sampling stations along the Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek.

The Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek watershed has several stream segments on the State (303d) list for aquatic life and recreational impairment. The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) classifies streams based upon their potential use, such as whether they may be used for recreational purposes, whether they support aquatic life, etc. The 303d list identifies streams within Kentucky that do not meet their designated use or partially fail to meet their designated use.

Due to the intensity of development within this watershed, these streams are true urban streams. A very high percentage of this watershed is covered by impervious surfaces (asphalt, cement, rooftop, etc.). In addition, there are combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in the area. This combination results in moderate to high nutrient levels. Fecal coliform populations exceed pollution standards about half of the time. High water fluctuations during storm events result in impacts on the biological communities in the streams. Fast moving storm water scours the stream banks, causing erosion, sedimentation, siltation, and resulting in the decline of water quality and habitat quality.

Overall impacts to the Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek watershed are considered moderate to severe. Impacts here are also highly variable, depending on the flow rate. No quick fixes will help reduce the impacts to this urban watershed. Solutions to the issues facing the Beargrass Creek watershed will have to be long term. Better water quality and quantity management requires the reduction of CSO and SSO discharges, as well as addressing non-point source pollution issues. Revegetation of stream banks and modification of stream channels to produce reaeration zones will help to improve both habitat and water quality.

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