Rock Creek
Location
County: Laurel
Forest: Daniel Boone (established under Cumberland National Forest)
District: established under Sublimity RD
SAF Cover Types (acres):
- Hemlock – Hardwood (176.24)
- Yellow Pine – Hardwoods (3.00)
- Yellow Pine – (10.60)
View a searchable map for the Rock Creek RNA.
Related Reports and Publications
- Abbott, J. R., et al. 2001. Vascular Plants New to Kentucky. SIDA, Contributions to Botany 19(4): 1199–1202.
- Thompson, R. L. and R. L. Jones 2001. Woody plants of Rock Creek Research Natural Area and Watershed Uplands, Laurel County, Kentucky. Castanea 66(3): 275–287.
- Pederson, N. 2010. External Characteristics of Old Trees in the Eastern Deciduous Forest. Natural Areas Journal 30(4): 396–407.
- Scheff, R. J. 2012. The Development Of Old–Growth Structural Characteristics In Second-Growth Forests Of The Cumberland Plateau, Kentucky, Usa. Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University. Master of Science.
- Tackett, K. L. 2012. Forest dynamics of two multi–aged hemlock–mixed mesophytic forests in the northern Cumberland Plateau, Kentucky. Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University. Master of Science.
Ecological and Physical Description
The natural area embraces the Rock Creek drainages of the Rockcastle River. It is one of the very few remaining examples of the virgin hemlock-hardwood forest type formerly widespread in the Cumberland Mountains. The natural beauty of the area has small natural bridge, sandstone caves, small waterfalls, large thrifty timber, flowering shrubs, unusual cliff formations and lessor herbaceous vegetation. The boundary (with the exception of two small stretches) coincides with the almost unbroken cliff line surrounding the drainage.
The average rainfall is 34.32 inches.
Stearns, KY, about 20 miles SW of the area.
The sandstone cliffs surrounding the area vary from 10 to 100 feet in height. There are six gaps in the cliff line that permit ready access through the area. Through one of the gaps, the visitor goes under a small natural bridge which is about 10 feet wide and 30 feet long. The area, surrounded by nearly impassable cliffs, is rough. There are many large boulders on the ground having a volume of over 5000 cu. Ft. The soil is sandy, varying in fertility but generally of the same condition as found in cover timber types. Seams of conglomerate rock showing water-worn quartz pebbles outcrop in the area. Soil in cover types is a light brown sandy loam covered with a heavy duff and forest litter.
Small amount of water available.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow poplar | Plant Communities | |||
| White oak | Plant Communities | |||
| Red maple | Plant Communities | |||
| Beech | Plant Communities | |||
| Hickory | Plant Communities | |||
| Black birch | Plant Communities | |||
| Mixed oaks | Plant Communities | |||
| Black gum | Plant Communities | |||
| Basswood | Plant Communities | |||
| Virginia pine | Plant Communities | |||
| Chestnut oak | Plant Communities | |||
| Northern red oak | Plant Communities | |||
| Sugar maple | Plant Communities | |||
| Rhododendron | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Laurel | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Holly | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Dogwood | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Sourwood | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Witch hazel | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Wahoo | Common Shrub Species |
Publications
- Neil Pederson, Kacie Tackett, Ryan W. McEwan, Stacy Byrd, Adrienne Cooper, Glade Brosi, Ray Eaton, R. Drew Stockwell. 2012. Long-term drought sensitivity of trees in second-growth forests in a humid region
- Ralph L. Thompson, Ronald L. Jones, J. Richard Abbott, W. Neal Denton. 2000. Botanical survey of Rock Creek Research Natural Area, Kentucky