The Kentucky Highway Department, at the request of Knox Historical Museum researcher Doug Bargo, has installed signs designating two major watersheds in Knox County, Kentucky.
The two new signs designate the "Little Richland Creek" watershed which crosses beneath US 25E at Heidrick, and the "Big Richland Creek" watershed which crosses beneath US 25E just north of Highway 229 at Bailey Switch.
Shown with new sign designating the Big Richland Creek are, from left, Jakalyn Jackson, Dora Sue Oxendine Farmer, Douglas Bargo, Mike Mitchell, Charles R. Mitchell, Mayor David Thompson, Michael C. Mills and David H. Cole
Photo courtesy of Tasha Stewart/Mountain Advocate
Both watersheds, as well as the Middle Fork of Richland Creek watershed, which is located in northern Knox County, flow into Richland Creek, which in turn empties into the Cumberland River at Barbourville.
The two new signs were installed by the Highway Department on August 20, 2018 just days after history researcher Bargo made the request.
"What got me thinking," Bargo said, "I recalled how Stinking Creek residents had seen a need for a sign several years ago and were proud to have it approved and installed by the Highway Department, while we had no similar signs designating the Richland Creek watersheds.
"So I called the Highway Department and they said let us research it. About a week later, Chris Harris of District 11 of the Kentucky Highway Department at Manchester called me back and said the signs were up."
Bargo went on to note how the two watersheds were quite extensive, consisting of numerous branches and creeks.
The following are listings of the branches and creeks located in the Big Richland Creek and Little Richland Creek watersheds. These listings are based on information taken from the Kentucky Watershed Viewer at https://eppcgis.ky.gov/watershed/. Note that this link requires zooming in to the Upper Cumberland area and the two watersheds.
Big Richland Creek Watershed
Owens Branch, Horse Hollow Branch, Asher Branch, Wilson Branch, Elam Branch, Jarvis Branch, Perry Jarvis Branch, Knox Fork, Cooley Branch, Morris Branch, Rockhouse Branch, Hunting Shirt Branch, Scott Branch, Hubbard Branch, Crook Branch, Cranes Nest Branch, Billie's Branch, Sasser Branch, Sled Road Branch, Tedders Creek, Tuttle Branch.
Little Richland Creek Watershed
Tulley Branch, Scratch Ankle Branch, Parrot Branch, Pumpkin Run Branch, Ridner Branch, Valentine Branch, Dancey Branch, Long Branch, Hughes Branch, Paynes Branch, Callebs Creek, Phillip Branch, Hammons Branch, Williamson Branch, Nealie Branch, Riley Fork, Tom Doolin Fork.
The new Little Richland Creek sign at Heidrick
KHM Members Michael C. Mills, Dora Sue Oxendine Farmer and Jakalyn Jackson.
Photo courtesy of Tasha Stewart/Mountain Advocate
Map showing the location of Big Richland Creek and Little Richland Creek watersheds