Right Fork of Elisha Creek
Location
County: Leslie
Forest: Daniel Boone
District: Redbird
View a searchable map for the Right Fork of Elisha Creek RNA.
Related Reports and Publications
- Scheff, Robert James. 2012. The Development of Old–Growth Structural Characteristics in Second–Growth Forests of the Cumberland Plateau, Kentucky, USA. Online Theses and Dissertations. Paper 116.
Ecological and Physical Description
Nine miles southwest of Hyden, KY, on the waters of Right Fork of Elisha Creek, tributaries to Redbird River. Mostly mature xeric to mesic hardwood forest communities, and rare cover types in eastern Kentucky. Predominate stand is mature chestnut oak with red maple, sourwood, black oak, scarlet oak and mockernut hickory of secondary importance. Evidence of fire exists within the forest. Two coal strip mines are in close proximity to the RNA, with one of the mines being situated on the northeast slope of the ridge at the northerly end of the drainage.
Rainfall is evenly distributed with annual precipitation of 48.85 inches; February is month with least precipitation of 3.33 inches and March having most precipitation of 5.53 inches, with other months varying between 3.40 to 4.46 inches. Winters are cold and often snowy.
Hyden, KY, 9 miles NE of the RNA.
The RNA is underlain by sedimentary rocks of the Pennsylvanian period. The Hazard coal zone, generally 30-50 feet thick, contains two to nine coal beds as much as 25 inches thick and may include thin nonbanded coal zone. An area adjacent to the northern border but not in the RNA hydrologic drainage has already been strip-mined. Soils are formed from sandstone, siltstone and shale. The upper slopes consist of moderately deeply well drained Dekalb series soils. The lower slopes consist of deep, well drained Shelocta series soils.The soils on the ridges and upper side slopes are of the Dekalb-Rock outcrop=Latham Association. Lower on slopes, in coves and on benches are found either soils of the Shelocta-Cutshin Association or the Shlocta-Gilpin Association. The Shelocta-Cutshin are chiefly on the northeasterly aspects and the Shelocta-Gilpin chiefly on the southwesterly aspects.
There are two minor drainages within the RNA which join the main upper creek drainage within the RNA.
Flora and Fauna
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsorex hoyi | Pigmy shrew | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Plecotus rafinesquii rafinesquii | Rafinesque’s big-eared bat | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Neotoma floridana magister | Eastern woodrat | At Risk Species | ✔ |