In late 2019 our SWCD Board decided to focus conservation planning efforts on a particular watershed in Woodford County. Due to a number of factors, including several recent flooding events at the time in and around the Village of Roanoke, the West Branch of Panther Creek was chosen as the focus area. Planning efforts are ongoing. A steering committee was formed with local landowners and officials to guide our planning process. An update to a watershed plan completed in 1998 for the area is currently in the works. In July of 2021, an educational event was held in Roanoke to inform the residents about the science behind why flooding events are occurring in this area. Below are the links to two of the presentations that were given at the event.
The resource inventory of the original1998 watershed plan has been updated as of July 2022. The watershed committee has met to develop goals and objectives for the plan and will soon work on finalizing the update.
As of June 2024, through funding obtained through a Federal NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program, negotiations have begun with an engineering firm to develop a West Branch Panther Creek Watershed Plan/Environmental Assessment.
A public meeting was held January 22, 2025 in Roanoke at the Village Hall to go over details of the project with the engineers. A website has been established to follow along with the process or to submit comments at West Branch Panther Creek Watershed Plan The meeting was recorded, and a link will be placed on that website where you can view the recording if you were not able to attend.
NRCS Watershed Protection Program Brochure
HEAVY RAINFALL IN A CHANGING CLIMATE-DR. TRENT FORD
VILLAGE OF ROANOKE HYDROLOGY-FRANK SANDERS