Floyds Fork

{{Infobox river | name = Floyds Fork | image = Floyd's Fork April 2024.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_caption = Floyd's Fork in Kentucky | map = Saltkyrivermap.png | map_size = 250px | map_caption = Salt River watershed | source1_location = Smithfield, Kentucky | mouth_location = Bullitt County, Kentucky | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = United States | length = {{convert|62|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} | source1_elevation = {{convert|886|ft|0}} | mouth_elevation = | discharge1_location=Shepherdsville, Kentucky | discharge1_avg = | basin_size = }}

'''Floyds Fork'''<ref name=gnis>{{gnis|492278}}</ref> is a {{convert|62|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329155652/http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ |date=2012-03-29 }}, accessed May 13, 2011</ref> tributary of the Salt River in Kentucky, directly south and east of Louisville. It begins in Henry County, near Smithfield Kentucky, flows through eastern Jefferson County and flows into the Salt River near Shepherdsville in Bullitt County.

It runs for about {{convert|30|mi}} through Jefferson County and drains approximately {{convert|122|sqmi|km2}}, making it the largest watershed in the county. It is also the least environmentally compromised watershed in the county, according to the Metropolitan Sewer District, as large-scale development in the southeastern portions of Jefferson County is still relatively sparse. To preserve its rural character, much of Floyds Fork south of I-64 was zoned rural residential in 1993.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Louisville | edition=1 | year=2001 | article=Floyds Fork}}</ref>

At Mount Washington, Floyds Fork has a discharge of approximately 387 cubic feet per second.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ky/nwis/annual/?format=sites_selection_links&search_site_no=03298200&agency_cd=USGS&referred_module=sw|title=USGS Surface Water data for Kentucky: USGS Surface-Water Annual Statistics|access-date=2025-10-23|archive-date=2024-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211072339/https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ky/nwis/annual/?format=sites_selection_links&search_site_no=03298200&agency_cd=USGS&referred_module=sw|url-status=live}}</ref>

The City of Parks initiative by Louisville purchased {{convert|2000|acre|km2}} of land along the river and established four parks, as well as hiking and other recreational trails.<ref>[http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=18696&folder_id=627 "City of Parks" Vision for Louisville Metro] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923210659/http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=18696&folder_id=627 |date=2006-09-23 }}</ref>

Floyds Fork is named for John Floyd, an early surveyor of the area. During the Civil War, Confederate and Union forces skirmished on Floyds Fork and what is now US 60 (Shelbyville Road, locally) on October 1, 1862.

==The Parklands of Floyds Fork== In August 2010, Louisville's newest public parks system was named according to the waterways, the one unifying feature that ties the four primary parks together, and that runs through and unites the nearly {{convert|4000|acre|km2}} of park system being created in the eastern and southeastern part of the county;

* ''' Beckley Creek Park ''' – {{convert|616|acre|km2}}, encompassing the existing Miles Park at Shelbyville Rd. and stretching to South English Station and Echo Trail. A major highlight of the park is the 22-acre great-lawn, that is encircled by a walking path and park drive, and named the "Egg Lawn", which gets its name from its shape. It has excellent wooded and groomed trails for running and biking. A picturesque setting for any family outing as well. * ''' Pope Lick Park ''' – {{convert|575|acre|km2}}, just south of Beckley Creek Park, stretching south approximately {{convert|4.5|mi|km}} to near Thurman Rd., and incorporating the existing Floyds Fork Park off Taylorsville Rd. * ''' Turkey Run Park ''' – {{convert|1076|acre|km2}}, stretching {{convert|4|mi|km}} from Seatonville Road to Broad Run Rd. * ''' Broad Run Park ''' – {{convert|685|acre|km2}}, south of Turkey Run Park and stretching south to Bardstown Rd.

A {{convert|3.5|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} narrow strip of connecting land between Pope Lick Park and Turkey Run Park, called "The Strand", will encompass another {{convert|353|acre|km2}}.

thumb|Pope Lick Park in April 2024 Turkey Run Park will be the city's second-largest park, behind the Jefferson Memorial Forest.

The Parklands of Floyds Fork are operated by Louisville nonprofit, 21st Century Parks. The new park system relies on donor-support, memberships, and an endowment for annual operations.

In recent years, the area surrounding Floyds Fork has been subject to new property development. In order to protect the tributary from developers, the Future Fund has purchased 115 acres of land, which were otherwise going to become a subdivision. The aim of this organisation is to preserve the creek by making sure it is only being used for recreation, reducing private development to a minimum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wfpl.org/future-fund-buys-land-for-conservation-of-floyds-fork/|title=Future Fund Buys Land For Conservation Of Floyds Fork|last=Velzer|first=Ryan Van|date=2018-07-17|website=89.3 WFPL News Louisville|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-08|archive-date=2019-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808161436/https://wfpl.org/future-fund-buys-land-for-conservation-of-floyds-fork/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://theparklands.org/ The Parklands of Floyds Fork]—Website *[http://www.21cparks.org/ 21st Century Parks]—Website *[http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2013/10/21/the-parklands-draws-its-1-millionth.html] *[http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130703/NEWS01/307030119/Ground-broken-final-phase-Parklands-Floyds-Fork?odyssey=topicpage] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20121005211400/http://www.louisvilleky.gov/Mayor/News/2012/6-27-12+pope+lick+park.htm Construction Begins on the next $15 Million Phase of Beckley Creek Park and Pope Lick Park]—Louisville.gov June 27, 2012 * [http://brokensidewalk.com/2012/01/13/bridges-progressing-at-the-parklands-of-floyds-fork/ Bridges Progressing At The Parklands of Floyds Fork] – BrokenSidewalk January 2012 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110919000341/http://www.louisvilleky.gov/Mayor/News/2011/5-31-11+Beckley+Park+groundbreaking.htm Beckley Creek Park to be first phase of $113 million project]—May 2011 * [http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2010/11/15/thorntons-pledges-1-million-for.html Thorntons Inc. pledges $1 million for Parklands]—November 2010 * [http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2010/10/11/daily15.html Parklands to build a $1 million PNC education center]—October 2010 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110209131859/http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/News/parklands_construction.htm Construction begins on Parklands of Floyds Fork] – August 2010 *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110209132348/http://www.louisvilleky.gov/Mayor/News/2010/8-9-10+state+funding+for+floyds+fork.htm Floyds Fork Parks Get $10 Million Boost]—August 2010 *[http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2010/08/02/tidbits2.html New park system named Parklands of Floyds Fork]—August 2010 *[http://www.msdlouky.org/insidemsd/floyds.htm Watershed information from MSD] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930062317/http://www.msdlouky.org/insidemsd/floyds.htm |date=2006-09-30 }} *[https://www.hiddenholloworchard.com/ffea.html Floyds Fork Environmental Association] *[http://www.fishervilleKY.com Fisherville, KY - Our Piece of Pie!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803191515/http://www.fishervilleky.com/ |date=2010-08-03 }}

Category:Rivers of Kentucky Category:Landforms of Louisville, Kentucky Category:Landforms of Oldham County, Kentucky Category:Landforms of Bullitt County, Kentucky Category:Salt River (Kentucky) Category:Landforms of Henry County, Kentucky