Foreword

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Overview

Water Use

Topography of the County

Geology of the County

Groundwater Availability

Exploration for Groundwater

Water Quality

Maps and Data

Additional Reading

References Cited

Definitions of Geologic Terms

Rock Descriptions

Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978)

Graves County, in the Mississippi Embayment Region of western Kentucky, is a gently rolling plain of low relief. Slopes are gradual, and local relief is generally less than 100 feet, in many places less than 50 feet. The south- and west-facing slopes of the principal streams are generally steeper than the east- and north-facing slopes.

Upland elevations in excess of 500 feet are common throughout most of the county. The highest elevation, 580 feet, is on the ridge between Mayfield and Little Mayfield Creeks in the southeastern part of the county near the Graves-Calloway County boundary. Elevations of 570 feet are found on the Tennessee Valley divide and along the drainage divide between Obion and Old Knob Creeks.

The lowest elevation, approximately 321 feet, is the point where the West Fork of the Clarks River enters McCracken County. Elevations of the valley flats in this area are between 335 and 340 feet. The elevation of the valley bottom of Mayfield Creek at the northwestern corner of the county is 340 to 350 feet. The valleys of the Clarks River and Mayfield, Obion, and Wilson Creeks are broad and have low gradients. Swampy and other poorly drained topography is indicated.

The elevation of Mayfield, at the courthouse, is 480 feet. Elevations at other communities are Boaz, 395 feet; Cuba, 520 feet; Dublin, 500 feet; Fancy Farm, 440 feet; Farmington, 560 feet; Folsomdale, 440 feet; Lowes, 473 feet; Lynnville, 560 feet; Melber, on the Graves-McCracken County line, 375 feet; Sedalia, 506 feet; Symsonia, 405 feet; Tri City, 522 feet; Water Valley, 387 feet; and Wingo, 469 feet.

The 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps that cover Graves County are shown, by name and by index code (Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet) on the index map.

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