Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 52

miles in Bullitt County), and historically had more
wetlands than in any other watershed in Louisville.
Development of those wetlands results in some of the
most severe flooding in Louisville, for example, in the
Flood of 1997. The upper part of the corridor is known
as Fern Creek which flows to a channelized segment
(North Ditch) in the Slack-water Flats region. The North
Ditch joins with another channelized segment (South
Ditch) to form the main stem of Pond Creek to the
southwest. The Slack-water Flats portion of the corridor is characterized by a mixture of
residential, commercial and industrial development with remnants of the wetlands which once
covered the area. To the southwest, Pond Creek drains part of the Knob Hills region and abuts
substantial forested acreage including part of the Jefferson Memorial Forest. In addition to the
Forest, Louisville Metro Government owns or holds easements on land along the lower part of
Pond Creek for flood control purposes. The Louisville Loop, a shared-use path system planned to
encircle Louisville is expected to be routed along or near several stretches of Pond Creek and
one section was built in 2010 by MSD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of a flood
protection and ecosystem restoration project.
Pond Creek has several stream segments on the State (303d) list for aquatic life and
recreational impairment. The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) classifies streams based upon
their potential use, such as whether they may be used for recreational purposes, whether they
support aquatic life, etc. The 303d list identifies streams within Kentucky that do not meet their
designated use or partially fail to meet their designated use. Frequent violations of the
recreational standards make this an undesirable stream system for recreational use.
Oxygen depletion from high nutrient levels and occasional chemical spills has decreased
fish populations in the watershed. Fish kills occur in this area more than anywhere in Louisville.
Package water quality treatment centers produce elevated nutrient levels and bacterial
contamination. Biological communities are severely impacted. Habitat quality is low due to the
removal of trees and plants along the stream banks. Many of the streams in the Pond Creek area
have been extensively channelized and offer little or no habitat for the macroinvertebrate and
fish communities.
Stream monitoring has determined that there are severe stream impacts due to
chemical toxicity, dissolved oxygen, sediment, nutrients and bacteria. This stream system also
suffers from elevated stream temperatures during the summer, contributing to lower dissolved
oxygen levels. Planting trees along the banks would reduce temperature during critical times,
increase dissolved oxygen, and help reduce fish kills. MSD continues to construct sewers within
the watershed to eliminate the remaining septic systems and package water quality treatment
centers. The watershed is also targeted for the elimination of SSO sites.
Parks and Recreation System Master Plan | III. CONTEXT AND COMMUNITY INVENTORY
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