A Classification of Streams, Illustrated by Fish Distribution in an Eastern Kentucky Creek

Abstract

Buckhorn Creek, a small tributary of the Kentucky River, occupies a basin of approximately 43.8 mi2 in the deeply dissected Cumberland Plateau of Breathitt and Knott counties in eastern Kentucky. The stream pattern is (lendritic and moderately well-developed (Figure 1). Length from source to mouth is 15 miles and average gradient is almost 26 ft/mi. Bedrock or gravel riffles alternate with shallow pools, seldom more than 3 ft deep at normal stream levels. Rocks of the region are predominantly sandstones, the more resistant layers sometimes forming bold cliffs above the narrow valleys. The relatively flat ridges range between 1200 and 1500 ft in elevation, while the mouth of the stream lies at 795 ft. The watershed is uninhabited, except for the lower portion, and is forested with 2nd growth timber, mostly hardwoods. Twenty-two widely scattered fish collections were made in Buckhorn Creek with common sense minnow seines between June 22 and July 22, 1959. This period was relatively dry and water levels remaine(1 low. During mid-July the main channel seeped through most gravel riffles, and tributaries were mostly confined to standing pools. A summer Ichthyology class collected in larger streams and I seined smaller branches alone. Lack of roads prevented complete coverage of the basin in so short a time. Collecting sites off the main trunk were reached on foot. Most collections were critically examined later by Dr. Reeve M. Bailey, University of Michigan.