<P> The river is no longer navigable above Lock 4 at Frankfort . Concrete bulkheads have been poured behind the upper lock gates of Locks 5 - 14 to strengthen the weakest link in the dam structures . All 14 dams are 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 (1,000 mm) of precipitation annually, the limestone, karst geology of that area means that surprisingly little natural surface water is found in the region . </P> <P> Winchester, Beattyville, Irvine, Richmond, Lancaster, Nicholasville, Harrodsburg, Wilmore, Versailles, Lawrenceburg, and Frankfort also draw water from the river for their municipal water supplies . It is estimated that over 700,000 people depend on the river for water . </P> <P> The Kentucky River is formed in eastern Kentucky at Beattyville, in Lee County, by the confluence of the North, Middle and South Forks at about 670 feet (200 m) elevation, and flows generally northwest, in a highly meandering course through the mountains, through the Daniel Boone National Forest, then past Irvine and Boonesborough, then southwest, passing south of Lexington, then north through Frankfort . It joins the Ohio at Carrollton . </P> <P> Approximately 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Boonesborough it is joined by the Red River . Approximately 20 miles (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 miles (16 km) north of Frankfort, it is joined by Elkhorn Creek . </P>

Where does the kentucky river start and end
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