In 2006, Kentucky identified nutrient problems along 12.8 miles of Fleming Creek. 18 years later, monitoring showed the stream could fully support its aquatic life

Water quality changes in a watershed can take years of coordinated work, particularly where agricultural activity is widespread. Fleming Creek in northeast Kentucky is an example of a watershed where monitoring, community involvement and conservation investments were followed by measurable improvements in water quality.

The Kentucky Division of Water positioned the 0.0–12.8-mile portion of Fleming Creek on the 2006 Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) list. The almost 12-mile segment was regarded as impaired (partial support) because of nutrient/eutrophication biological indicator impairments, with animal feeding operations identified as a source.

Over the years that followed, watershed planning via CWA Section 319 Program supported agricultural best management practices (BMPs) and other conservation investments. By 2024, the Division of Water had removed the 12.8-mile segment from the list for nutrients and eutrophication biological indicators.

Conditions identified in the 1998 monitoring

Fleming Creek eventually drains into the Licking River in northeast Kentucky. The creek extends for around 39 miles and its 96.3-square-mile watershed is dominated by livestock agriculture in Fleming and Nicholas counties.

Earlier monitoring offered the basis for the later impairment designation. In 1998, the Division of Water’s Nonpoint Source Monitoring Program analyzed water chemistry and biological conditions in the creek. The samples featured elevated nitrate/nitrite and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), while the fish community was classified as fair.

Those findings were mirrored in the 2006 Integrated Report. The 0.0–12.8-mile portion of Fleming Creek was discovered as impaired (partial support) for the warm water aquatic habitat designated utilization. Animal feeding functions were listed as a suspected source of nutrient/eutrophication biological indicators.

Local residents started conservation efforts

The reactions to water quality challenges began well before the 2006 impairment listing.

In the early 1990s, residents created the Fleming Creek Water Quality Oversight Committee. The committee focused on enhancing conditions throughout the watershed through education and investment in nonpoint source solutions.

Between 1991 and 2000, the committee partnered with the Kentucky Division of Conservation and Division of Water on 13 Section 319 Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects. Their work targeted agricultural nonpoint source pollution in the watershed.

The Section 319 investments during those years spanned many areas that included a Fleming Creek Water Resources Coordinator, watershed water quality monitoring, livestock waste management and grazing management practices.

Over $1.4 million in federal funding was invested in the Fleming Creek watershed in that decade of collaboration.

Grants supported agricultural conservation

Additional work followed the previous projects.

In 2004, the Section 319 Program provided a $570,639 grant for conservation approaches in the Fleming Creek watershed. The project included 54,700 linear feet of livestock exclusion fence and 39,352 linear feet of rotational grazing fencing. It also provided 9.3 acres of critical area plantings, 23 livestock watering tanks and alternative sources, 766 acres of pasture seeding and 39,536 square feet of heavy-use areas. These measures were planned to mitigate livestock impacts to water quality in the watershed.

The Stockton Creek subwatershed obtained another Section 319 investment in 2008. The program awarded $226,412 for work that included 9,320 linear feet of livestock fencing, 12 alternative watering facilities, 52,337 square feet of heavy-use areas and 307 acres of pasture seeding to reduce erosion.

Conservation activity remained through 2022. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service installed 2,742 conservation practices in the Fleming Creek watershed between 2000 and 2022. Separately, the Division of Conservation installed 103 conservation practices through Kentucky’s Cost-Share Program.

2019 results showed a different picture

After years of watershed planning and agricultural conservation investment, the Division of Water conducted monitoring in 2019 that featured the warm water aquatic habitat designated use was being supported.

The newer outcomes showed lower nitrate/nitrite and TKN values than those recorded in 1998. The biological indicators also showed stronger conditions: both macroinvertebrates and fish obtained excellent scores on their respective indices.

The improved monitoring results resulted to a change in the status of the affected portion of Fleming Creek. During the 2024 Integrated Reporting cycle, the Division of Water delisted miles 0.0–12.8 of Fleming Creek for nutrient/eutrophication biological indicators.

The warm water aquatic habitat designated for use in the segment is currently categorized as complete support.

Work on nonpoint source pollution continues

The conservation attempt in the Fleming Creek watershed is not limited to the projects already completed.

The City of Flemingsburg is planning a Green Sinks Flood Mitigation Program in cooperation with the Division of Water. The planned program is intended to catch nonpoint source pollution during flood events.

It will build on the watershed’s long history of nonpoint source work, following decades of involvement from local residents and investments through the Kentucky Division of Conservation, Division of Water, CWA Section 319 Program, USDA and other conservation efforts.

For the 12.8-mile segment identified as impaired in the 2006 Integrated Report, the 2024 Integrated Reporting cycle brought a significant change: the segment was delisted for nutrient/eutrophication biological indicators, while its warm water aquatic habitat designated use was categorized as full support.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

FAQs:

Q1. Where is Fleming Creek located?

Fleming Creek is in northeast Kentucky. It drains into the Licking River.

Q2. How long is Fleming Creek?

Fleming Creek is approximately 39 miles long. Its watershed covers 96.3 square miles.