Foreword

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Overview

Water Use

Topography of the County

Geology of the County

Groundwater Availability

Exploration for Groundwater

Mined-Out Areas as Sources of Water

Water Quality

Maps and Data

Additional Reading

References Cited

Definitions of Geologic Terms

Rock Descriptions

Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978)

Martin County is in the easternmost part of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River marks the eastern boundary of both Martin County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The lowest elevation in the county, approximately 550 feet, is on Tug Fork at the northern boundary of the county.

The terrain is mountainous. Practically no flat areas may be found, except in the valleys, and these are limited. Highest elevations are in the southern part of the county, where many of the mountaintops exceed 1,400 feet. Elevations generally decline northward and are between 1,000 and 1,200 feet at the northern border. Chestnut Knob, 3 miles east-northeast of the junction of Martin, Floyd, and Pike Counties, has an elevation of 1,600 feet, and a mountain above the headwaters of Hobbs Fork in the southeastern corner of the county is 1,606 feet. Local reliefs range from 400 feet in the northern part of the county to 600 feet in the southern area.

The communities are located in valleys. The elevation of Inez, the county seat, is 640 feet. Other elevations are Beauty, 640 feet; Hode, 620 feet; Lovely, 625 feet; Milo, 635 feet; and Warfield, 20 feet.

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

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