Pigeon Roost Creek Watershed

Updated 08/27/2008

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky is providing technical assistance and cost-share funding to construct a floodwater retarding structure (FRS) #3 on Pigeon Roost Creek in Jackson County, Kentucky. The proposed project would be funded under the authority of Public Law 83-566, the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. Project sponsors are the Jackson County Conservation District, the Jackson County Fiscal Court and the City of McKee, Kentucky.

The Pigeon Roost watershed is located in the northern headwater section of the Cumberland River Basin in Jackson County, Kentucky. Pigeon Roost Creek drains into Indian Creek that flows into the Rockcastle River. The proposed action addresses the need to reduce continuing floodwater and sediment damages in the City of McKee, Jackson County, Kentucky.

The proposed FRS #3 is the only floodwater retarding structure remaining to be built as originally presented in the 1986 Pigeon Roost Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment. The first structure (FRS#1) is a five feet tall floodwall constructed in 1988. The wall is 258 feet long and currently protects an industrial complex located in McKee, which employs over 200 people. FRS #2 was completed in 1994 and is located upstream of the U.S. Forest Service Work Center in McKee. Multiple purpose structure (MPS #1) was completed in 1999 on Bill’s Branch Creek upstream of the existing city reservoir. MPS #1 has an 18-acre lake that provides both flood protection and a supply for drinking water for the City of McKee. However, these three completed structures are providing only partial flooding relief to the residents of McKee.

The purpose of constructing FRS#3 is to reduce floodwater, sediment deposition, and erosion on critical areas in McKee, KY. Damages from floodwater and sediment deposition are still occurring to the City. The completion of FRS #3 will secure the flood reduction benefits as presented in the original 1986 Pigeon Roost Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment. The proposed FRS#3 will have an earthen embankment with an impounded normal pool area of 2-3 acres. Fill material for the dam will be excavated from an upland area adjacent to the dam site.

The 2005 Pigeon Roost Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment discusses in further detail the purpose and need of the project, locations, associated costs, project scope, an analysis of the alternatives considered, and the impacts of the alternatives.

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