A Waterway in Need of Care
Banklick Creek, Kenton County's largest waterway, stretches across 58 square miles and even into Boone County. This vital waterway flows into the Licking River, then the Ohio River, eventually reaching the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
Banklick Creek faces long-standing challenges with flooding and poor water quality. The Division of Water has identified contamination issues, including bacteria, sediment, and excessive nutrients. Recognizing the severity of the problem, the Division declared Banklick a priority watershed and awarded grants to the Banklick Watershed Council to improve water quality and protect this community resource. |
Map of the Banklick Watershed
(Click to enlarge)
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What is a Watershed?
What is a Watershed? A watershed is an area of land that drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. Think of it as a giant bowl that collects all the water that falls within its boundaries. Watersheds are also known as drainage basins or catchments.
Why are Watersheds Important? Healthy watersheds are vital for our environment and communities. They provide a multitude of benefits, including:
Why a Watershed-Based Approach to Clean Water?
A watershed-based approach to clean water is the most effective way to protect our water resources. By focusing on the entire watershed, we can:
Why are Watersheds Important? Healthy watersheds are vital for our environment and communities. They provide a multitude of benefits, including:
- Habitat for Wildlife: Watersheds support a diverse range of plants and animals.
- Recreational Opportunities: They offer places for fishing, boating, swimming, and other outdoor activities.
- Clean Drinking Water: Watersheds are the source of our drinking water.
- Community Beauty: They enhance the beauty of our landscapes.
Why a Watershed-Based Approach to Clean Water?
A watershed-based approach to clean water is the most effective way to protect our water resources. By focusing on the entire watershed, we can:
- Address Water Quality Issues: Target pollution sources and prevent them from reaching our waterways.
- Reduce Flooding: Implement measures to control stormwater runoff and mitigate flood risks.
- Conserve Land: Protect critical land areas within the watershed to maintain ecological balance and prevent soil erosion.
How's the Water?
One of the most common questions we get is about the quality of the water in Banklick Creek. While we don't collect water quality data ourselves, we have provided the links below for more information.
Kentucky Watershed Watch
The Kentucky Watershed Watch volunteers collect water quality data across the state. Results are available at the data portal.
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How's My Waterway? (EPA)
Access EPA's assessment reports for the Banklick Creek.
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Watershed Characterization Reports (SD1)
SD1 performed detailed characterization of NKY's watersheds and potential sources.
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