|
River
|
County
|
Reach
|
Length (miles)
|
Year Listed/ Updated
|
Potential Classification
|
ORVs
|
Description
|
Other States
|
| Bad Branch |
Letcher |
From the headwaters
on Pine Mountain (RM 4.1) to the confluence with Poor Fork of
the Cumberland (KY 932). |
4
|
1995
|
W
|
S, R, G, F,
W, O |
Very scenic
headwaters stream in deep gorge with 45' waterfall; hiking opportunities
in State Nature Preserve; numerous federal and state-listed
threatened and endangered species; excellent water quality. |
|
| Barren River |
Butler, Warren |
RM 0, confluence
with Green River, to RM 31, below Bowling Green |
31
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F |
Broad stream
with banks of various steepness; lush vegetation; islands common. |
|
| Barren River |
Warren, Allen |
RM 43, above
Bowling Green, to RM 84, Barren River Lake |
41
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F |
See initial
comments. |
|
| Beaver Creek |
McCreary |
From headwaters
(RM 9.2) to backwaters of Lake Cumberland (RM 2.2) |
7
|
1995
|
W
|
S, R, F, W,
O |
Very scenic
stream in National Wilderness Area within Daniel Boone National
Forest. Harbors federally listed blackside dace throughout.
Very primitive and isolated. State-designated outstanding resource
water. |
|
| Boone Creek |
Fayette, Clark |
RM 0, confluence
with Kentucky River, to RM 23, headwaters one mile below I-64 |
23
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F |
Scenic stream
with vertical rock walls; gorge area, and waterfalls. |
|
| Buck Creek |
Pulaski, Lincoln |
RM 0, confluence
with Cumberland River and KY 762 bridge, to RM 40, 0.5 mile
above Pulaski/Lincoln County line |
40
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Scenic topography
including gorge area; outstanding cliffs and numerous caves--Blowing
Rock. |
|
| Cumberland
River |
Monroe, Cumberland,
Clinton, Russell |
RM 385, one
mile below town of Vernon, to RM 462, US 127 bridge over Wolf
Creek Dam |
77
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
See initial
comments. |
|
| Cumberland
River |
Livingston,
Crittenden, Lyon |
RM 0, confluence
with Ohio River, to RM 32, Lake Barkley |
32
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Extensively
wooded, high bluffs, remote and rugged; corridor area excellent
for canoeing, hiking and camping; within uppermost reach, a
16 mile segment within Daniel Boone National Forest, designated
State Wild River; Cumberland Falls State Park. |
|
| Cumberland
River |
Whitley |
RM 552, Camp
Creek junction, to RM 582, two miles downstream of I-75 bridge |
30
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
See initial
comments. |
|
| Cumberland
River |
Whitley |
RM 522, Camp
Creek Junction, to RM 582, two miles downstream of I-75 bridge |
30
|
1982/ 1993
|
|
|
|
|
| Cumberland
River, Little South Fork |
McCreary,
Wayne |
RM 0, confluence
with Cumberland River, to RM 32, TN State line |
32
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Excellent
scenery characterized by deep channels bordered with large boulders
and rock ledges; provides boundary of Daniel Boone National
Forest; water quality rated good to excellent; supports sizeable
bass, trout, and panfish populations. |
|
| Cumberland
River, Little South Fork |
McCreary,
Wayne |
Junction with
Big South Fork of Cumberland River to Tennessee state line |
32
|
1982/ 1993
|
R
|
R, W |
Canoeing and
fishing. Diversity of wildlife and fauna populations. Rare species
of mussels in stream. |
|
| Cumberland
River, South Fork |
McCreary |
RM 40, KY
92 bridge, to RM 55, TN State line |
15
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Outstanding
whitewater stream in highly scenic, rugged, and forested corridor
area; spectacular gorge area. |
|
| Cumberland,
Martins Fork |
Harlan, Bell |
RM 27, confluence
with Rough Branch, to RM 37, headwaters in Cumberland Gap National
Park |
10
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Unusually
steep stream with swift current in beautiful pristine scenic
mountain setting; contains state's only Coosa bass fishery. |
|
| Eagle Creek |
Grant, Owen,
Scott |
RM 29, Petitt
Road bridge, to RM 79, Pikeberry Road |
50
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F |
Deeply entrenched
stream with forested hillsides. |
|
| Elkhorn and
North Elkhorn Creeks |
Franklin,
Scott |
RM 0, confluence
with Kentucky River, to RM 67, Fayette County line |
67
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W |
Extremely
popular recreational stream with beautiful scenery. |
|
| Gasper River |
Warren, Logan |
RM 0, confluence
with Barren River, to RM 35, headwaters northwest of Auburn |
35
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
One of western
Kentucky's most beautiful rivers; flows through small scenic
gorge area. |
|
| Green River |
Edmonson,
Hart, Green |
RM 189, Mammoth
Cave National Park and Lock No. 6, to RM 290, Greensburg |
101
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Designated
Kentucky Wild River; habitat for numerous rare or endangered
species; abundance and variety of wildlife; most productive
muskellunge fishery in State. |
|
| Harrods Creek
and North Fork and South Fork |
Jefferson,
Oldham |
RM 0, confluence
with Ohio River, to RM 24, KY 53 bridge; RM 0, confluence with
Harrods Creek, to RM 5, I-71 bridge |
29
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Highly utilized
pristine stream; affords quality recreational opportunities;
covered bridge. |
|
| Horse Lick
Creek |
Jackson |
From headwaters
(RM 21.2) to the confluence with Rockcastle River. |
21
|
1995
|
S
|
S, R, G, F,
W, O |
Very scenic
creek within Daniel Boone National Forest. Listed as one of
Nature Conservancy's "Last Great Places". Harbors two federally
listed T&E mussel species. The Nature Conservancy owns much
of the land along the stream. It is also a State-listed Outstanding
Water Resource. |
|
| Jessamine
Creek |
Jessamine |
KY Highway
29 (RM 13.3) to the confluence with the Kentucky River. |
13
|
1995
|
R
|
S, G, F, W,
O |
Harbors rare
plant species; Much acreage protected by The Nature Conservancy;
Fine example of Kentucky River Pallisades Limestone Gorge, very
scenic. |
|
| Kentucky River,
South Fork |
Lee, Owsley,
Clay |
RM 0, confluence
with Kentucky River, to RM 44, 0.5 mile below TN 1482 bridge
near Oneida |
44
|
1982
|
|
S, R, W, H,
C |
Scenic float
stream rich in history and archaeology; within Daniel Boone
National Forest. |
|
| Kentucky River,
South Fork |
Clay, Lee,
Owsley |
River mile
0 junction with Kentucky River to river mile 44 about 1/2 mile
downstream from bridge on KY 1482 near Oneida, KY |
44
|
1982/ 1993
|
R
|
R |
Boating and
warm water fishery. |
|
| Kinniconick
Creek |
Lewis |
RM 6, one
mile above McDowell Creek Road bridge, to RM 48, headwaters
southwest of Petersville |
42
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W |
Flows through
sparsely populated and relatively undeveloped scenic country;
one of best muskellunge fisheries in State. |
|
| Licking River |
Pendleton,
Bracken, Harrison, Robertson, Nicholas, Bath, Fleming, Rowan |
RM 52, South
Fork junction, to RM 159, three miles below I-64 bridge |
107
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Wide, deep,
free-flowing, well-entrenched stream that traverses scenic rolling
valley; variety of unusual flora and riverine species. |
|
| Licking River,
South Fork |
Pendleton,
Harrison |
RM 0, confluence
with Licking River, to RM 58, Bourbon County line |
58
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W |
Flows through
steep mud banks lined with water maple and sycamore; generally
hilly and forested corridor area. |
|
| Little River |
Trigg |
RM 15, backwaters
of Lake Barkley, to RM 21, KY 272 bridge |
6
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Winding, tree-lined
stream with stands of giant, virgin timber. |
|
| Little River,
Muddy Fork |
Trigg |
RM 3, backwaters
of Lake Barkley and KY 778 bridge, to RM 9, Adams Mill Road
bridge below I-24 |
6
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W |
Inviting intimate
stream with steep, profusely shaded banks. |
|
| Marsh Creek |
McCreary |
RM 0, confluence
with Cumberland River, to RM 18, KY 92 bridge and headwaters |
18
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Undeveloped,
scenic and heavily forested corridor area with high cliffs and
gorge area. |
|
| Marsh Creek |
McCreary |
River mile
15 to the confluence with the Cumberland River |
15
|
1982/ 1993
|
R
|
R, W |
Contains Cumberland
Bean Pearly mussel, Federally listed threatened and endangered
species. Offers fast water canoeing when water is up. |
|
| Nolin River |
Edmonson |
RM 0, confluence
with Green River, to RM 8, Nolin River Dam |
8
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Flows through
attractive forested shoreline and backcountry woodlands of Mammoth
Cave National Park; especially scenic with high exposed bluffs;
plentiful and diverse wildlife. |
|
| Ohio River |
Ballard, McCracken,
Livingston, Crittenden, Union |
Cairo, IL
to Cave in Rock, IL (95 river miles); Cave in Rock, IL to New
Haven, IL (45 river miles) |
140
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G |
See Ohio River,
IL comments. |
IL |
| Ohio River |
Mason, Lewis |
From Rome
to Morgansville, KY |
21
|
1982
|
|
S, R, H |
See Ohio River,
OH comments. |
OH |
| Otter Creek |
Meade |
RM 0, confluence
with Ohio River, to RM 21, Hardin County line |
21
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Swift and
scenic Class II whitewater stream. |
|
| Red River |
Logan, Simpson |
RM 50, TN
State line, to RM 79, TN State line |
29
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Relatively
remote, undeveloped, and deeply entrenched stream; possesses
recreational, educational, and esthetic potential. |
|
| Red River |
Clark, Estill,
Powell, Menifee, Wolfe |
RM 0, confluence
with Kentucky River, to RM 59, Clark Branch junction |
59
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Wilderness
habitat for rare and endangered species; whitewater flowing
through spectacular geological formations, including Red River
Gorge Area. |
|
| Red River |
Clark, Estill,
Powell, Menifee, Wolfe |
River mile
59 to river mile 68.9 |
10
|
1982/ 1993
|
R
|
S, G, C, O |
Supports high
quality warm water fishery including species of darter found
only in Kentucky. Unusual preservation of organic materials
due to potassium nitrate found in local sandstone. Diversity
of flora and fauna. |
|
| Red River |
Clark, Estill,
Powell, Menifee, Wolfe |
River mile
68.9 to river mile 78 |
9
|
1982/ 1993
|
W
|
S, G, C, O |
See initial
comments |
|
| Red River,
Elk Fork |
Todd |
RM 8, TN State
line, to RM 27, east of Elkton |
19
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Excellent
karst topography; numerous sinkholes and caves; supports important
habitat for black bass and panfish; unique wildlife. |
|
| Red River,
South Fork |
Logan |
RM 0, confluence
with Red River, to RM 8, TN State line |
8
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W |
Small pastoral
stream lined with hardwoods. |
|
| Red River,
West Fork |
Christian,
Todd |
RM 14, TN
State line, to RM 45, headwaters west of Tabernacle |
31
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Recreational
and aesthetic potential. |
|
| Rock Creek |
McCreary |
RM 0, confluence
with South Fork of Cumberland River, to RM 22, TN State line |
22
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Highly scenic
with deep, narrow, undeveloped valleys and wooded hillsides. |
|
| Rock Creek |
McCreary |
From White
Oak Junction to the Kentucky-Tennessee Border |
18
|
1982/ 1993
|
R
|
R, O |
High quality
of water. Camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing. |
|
| Rockcastle
River |
Pulaski, Laurel,
Rockcastle |
RM 7, KY 192
bridge, to RM 31, US 25 bridge to Laurel County |
24
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Within Daniel
Boone National Forest; spectacular gorge area; supports excellent
game fishery. |
|
| Rockcastle
River |
Pulaski, Laurel,
Rockcastle |
RM 7, KY 192
bridge, to RM 31, US 25 bridge to Laurel Co. |
24
|
1982/ 1993
|
|
|
|
|
| Russell Fork |
Pike |
RM 0, confluence
with Levisa Fork at Millard to KY/VA state line |
15
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Class IV-VI
whitewater stream that flows through 1600 foot deep gorge area;
thundering vertical drops and numerous intensely complex rapids. |
|
| Salt River |
Bullitt, Spencer,
Nelson, Anderson |
RM 27, two
miles east of Shepherdsville city limits, to RM 71, junction
of Spencer, Nelson, and Anderson Counties |
44
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W |
Idyllic, winding,
pastoral stream dotted with dozens of small islands. |
|
| Salt River,
Floyds Fork |
Bullitt, Jefferson |
RM 0, confluence
with Salt River, to RM 50, Oldham County line |
50
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F |
Flows swiftly
through steep hills, ridges, fields, and pasture land. |
|
| Shillalah
Creek |
Bell |
RM 0, KY 217
bridge, to RM 6, headwaters in Cumberland Gap National Park |
6
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Flows through
spectacular gorge area for approximately four miles. |
|
| Sinking Creek |
Breckenridge |
RM 4, above
confluence with Ohio River, to RM 40, headwaters southeast of
Graysville |
36
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Extremely
scenic stream with numerous caves, sinkholes, and springs. |
|
| Station Camp
Creek and War Fork |
Estill, Jackson |
River mile
14 at Alumbaugh, KY to river mile 32 near Privett, KY |
18
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W |
Scenic with
biotic diversity; penetrates Daniel Boone National Forest. |
|
| Station Camp
Creek, South Fork |
Jackson |
RM 0, confluence
with Station Camp Creek, to RM 22, near Long Branch |
22
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W,
H |
Very scenic
and esthetically pleasing stream; approximately nine miles within
Daniel Boone National Forest. |
|
| Station Camp
Creek, South Fork |
Jackson |
River mile
0 at confluence with Station Camp Creek to river mile 22 |
22
|
1982/ 1993
|
S, R
|
S, R |
Fishing, cave
exploring, hiking, and limited canoeing. |
|
| Stoner Creek |
Bourbon, Clark |
RM 0, confluence
with South Fork of Licking River, to RM 69, headwaters five
miles southeast of Winchester |
69
|
1982
|
|
S, R, F, W,
H, C |
Interesting
scenery with numerous grass islands and steep banks. |
|
| Tygarts Creek |
Carter |
RM 42, Greenup
County line, to RM 64, one mile below I-64 bridge |
22
|
1982
|
|
S, R, G, F,
W, H, C |
Most scenic
stream flowing through magnificent gorge area and Carters Cave
State Park; unique assemblage of flora and fauna. |
|
|
Last Modified 1-18-07
