Outstanding National Resource Waters
Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRWs) are waters that receive special protection against degradation under Kentucky’s water quality standards and the federal Clean Water Act. They are designated by the Kentucky Division of Water.Waters eligible for ONRW designation include waters that are part of a national or state park, wildlife refuge or wilderness areas, special trout waters, waters with exceptional recreational or ecological significance, and high quality waters that have not been significantly modified by human activities.
KWA has proposed the following stream segments for ONRW designation:
1. Cumberland River - Border of McCreary and Whitley Counties
A 14.9 mile section from Cane Creek south, to approximately 4 miles downstream from the Kentucky Highway 90 bridge was found eligible, possessing outstandingly remarkable scenic, geological, and recreational values. This river segment is already designated in Kentucky regulations as a KY Wild River, OSRW and Exceptional Water.
2. Marsh Creek - McCreary County
From the confluence of the Cumberland River to river mile 15 (approximately 1.9 miles upstream of KY road 478) were found eligible, possessing outstandingly remarkable recreational and wildlife values. This river segment is already designated in Kentucky regulations as OSRW, Exceptional Water, and reference reach stream.
3. Rock Creek - McCreary County
A 17.5-mile segment from White Oak Junction to the Kentucky/Tennessee border was found eligible possessing outstandingly remarkable recreational, wildlife, and water quality values. This river segment is already designated in Kentucky regulations as a KY Wild River, Exceptional Water, CAH, OSRW and a reference reach stream. Additionally, 2 tributaries are also designated Exceptional Water and reference reach.
4. Rockcastle River - Border of Pulaski and Laurel Counties
A 13.3-mile segment below Kentucky Highway 80 to the lower end of Rockcastle Narrows was found eligible possessing outstandingly remarkable scenic values.This river segment is already designated in Kentucky regulations as a KY Wild River, OSRW and Exceptional Water.
5. War Fork - Jackson County
Out of a 13.7 mile, mouth to headwaters segment, approximately 8.2 miles from the junction with South Fork of Station Camp Creek upstream to Steer Fork has Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The combination of values, such as Water Quality, Threatened and Endangered Species, Scenic, Cultural Resources and Geology (Karst), create an ecological community that is outstandingly remarkable in this physiographic region. This river segment is already designated in Kentucky regulations as an Exceptional Water and reference reach stream.