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The river is navigable along its entire length becuause of series of 14 locks built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and now under the management of the state-run Kentucky River Authority. The primary importance of the locks today is to maintain a pool that allows the city of Lexington to draw its drinking water from the river. Despite the fact that the Lexington area receives well over 40 inches (1000 mm) of precipitation annually, the limestone, karst geology of that area means that surprisingly little natural surface water is found in the region.
It is formed in central Kentucky at Beattyville, in Lee County, by the confluence of the NorthThe North Fork Kentucky River is one of two rivers, along with the South Fork Kentucky River, that form the Kentucky River in central Kentucky in the United States. It is approximately 125 mi (201 km) long. It rises on the western side of Pine Mountain, i and SouthThe South Fork Kentucky River is one of two rivers, along with the North Fork Kentucky River, that join to form the Kentucky River in south central Kentucky in the United States. It is approximately 30 mi (48 km) long. It formed in Clay County, in the Dan Forks, and flows generally northwest, in a highly meanderThe word meander has a number of senses. Some places in Tasmania, Australia: Meander, Tasmania Meander River, Tasmania Meander Valley A bend in a river, also known as an oxbow loop. This usage derives from the name of the Maeander River in Turkey. To meaning course through the mountains, through the Daniel Boone National ForestThe Daniel Boone National Forest is the only national forest completely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It comprises two purchase units, the original one trending south-north along the Pottsville escarpment east of central Kentucky, and the Redbird P, then past IrvineIrvine is a city located in Estill County, Kentucky. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,843. It is the county seat of Estill County 6. Geography Irvine is located at 37°41'49" North, 83°58'1" West (37. 696835, -83. According to th and BoonesboroughBoonesborough, Kentucky is an unincorporated community of Kentucky located in the central part of the state along the Kentucky River. It is named for its principal founder, legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone, who made the area his home for a while in the, then southwest, passing south of Lexington, then north through FrankfortFrankfort is the capital of Kentucky, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city has a population of 27,741. It is the county seat of Franklin County. On February 3, 1900 Governor-elect William Goebel was assassinated in Fran. It joins the Ohio at CarrolltonCarrollton is a city located in Carroll County, Kentucky. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,846. It is the county seat of Carroll County 6. Geography Carrollton is located at 38°40'38" North, 85°10'17" West (38. 677329, -85..
Approximately 15 mi (24 km) southwest of Boonesborough it is joined by the Red River. Approximately 20 mi (32 km) southwest of Boonesborough it is joined by Silver Creek . At High Bridge, it is joined by the Dix River. At Frankfort, it is joined by Benson Creek . Approximately 10 mi (16 km) north of Frankfort, it is joined by Elkhorn Creek .
Between Clays Ferry in Madison County and Frankfort, the river passes through the Kentucky River Palisades, a series of dramatic steep gorges approximately 100 mi (160 km) in length.