Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 42

Hydric Soils
Hydric or wet soils are characterized by poor drainage and a water table at or near the
surface of the ground at least during a portion of the year. Hydric soils are considered to pose
serious development constraints and frequently support wetlands. In Louisville, a large area of
hydric soils occurs in the Slack-water Flats region on either side of Interstate 65. Most of this
area has been ditched to drain the land, thereby allowing extensive residential, commercial and
industrial development.
C2. Hydrology
Several of Louisville’s streams - Beargrass Creek, Goose Creek, Harrods Creek and Mill
Creek- flow directly into the Ohio River. Floyds Fork and its two smaller watersheds (Cedar Creek
and Pennsylvania Run) drain south to the Salt River in Bullitt County. Pond Creek also drains into
the Salt River just before the Salt flows into the Ohio River at Louisville’s southeastern corner.
River and Stream Corridors
The Ohio River, Floyds Fork, Beargrass
Creek, Pond Creek, Mill Creek, Harrods Creek
and Goose Creek and associated tributary
stream corridors are of major importance to
Louisville’s environmental, recreational, and
visual quality. Important resources occurring
along these corridors include significant
undeveloped tracts of land, steep slopes,
natural communities and wildlife habitat areas
such as forest and wetlands, historic sites, and
recreational and visual amenities. However,
the environmental health of many of
2012, LOJIC
Louisville’s river and stream corridors has
been impacted by pollution, sedimentation, and channelization associated with urban
development. Poor water quality is a significant constraint to the recreational usage of many of
Louisville’s streams.
One of the major rivers in the United States, the Ohio River forms the northwest
boundary of Louisville with Harrison, Floyd, and Clark Counties in Indiana. The Ohio River
corridor is a major scenic and recreational resource for the region; provides natural habitat for a
variety of wildlife including many species listed as rare, threatened and endangered; and
contains significant historic resources including the Olmsted-designed Shawnee Park and
historic residential homes and estates such as Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing.
The part of Louisville that drains directly into the Ohio River Watershed (excluding
Beargrass, Goose and Harrods Creeks) is approximately 40 square miles. This area was once
drained by Paddy’s Run which is now entirely underground and part of the public sewer system.
Parks and Recreation System Master Plan | III. CONTEXT AND COMMUNITY INVENTORY
35