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Alluvium (Qa)
Topography
Alluvium forms terraces and floodplains along the Green River and tributaries.
Hydrology
Most wells in the alluvium furnish less than 100 gallons per day, inadequate
for a domestic supply.
Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The Ste. Genevieve Limestone underlies rolling karst areas. It forms
steep bluffs near the Green River.
Hydrology
This limestone yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from
large solution openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate solution
openings, but in areas high above perennial streams, these solution
openings are dry in late summer and fall, and many wells are inadequate.
Wells that do not intersect karst conduits generally are inadequate
for domestic use. Major caverns in the Ste. Genevieve in the Mammoth
Cave area have large, connected subsurface streams. Springs having low
flows ranging from less than 10 gallons per minute to more than 1,500
gallons per minute occur at or near stream level or near contact with
the underlying St. Louis Limestone. Smaller springs discharge from perched
water bodies in upland areas, but many go dry during late summer and
fall.
St. Louis Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The St. Louis Limestone underlies rolling karst areas. It commonly has
less relief than karst in areas underlain by the Ste. Genevieve Limestone,
but sinkholes in the St. Louis are steeper.
Hydrology
This limestone yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from
large openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate some solution openings,
but in high areas above perennial streams yields are often inadequate
for domestic supply. Yields of wells near major streams are large where
solution openings are penetrated, but most wells near major streams
are inadequate. Many springs in the major spring horizon have flows
of several hundred to several thousand gallons a minute, and are used
for public and industrial water supplies.
Salem, Warsaw, Harrodsburg Formations (Msh)
Topography
These formations underlie gently rolling uplands. They form steep bluffs
where the limestone overlies rocks of Osagean age. In some areas numerous
small sinkholes occur in the Warsaw.
Hydrology
These rocks yield enough water for a domestic supply where the formations
are dominantly limestone and near perennial stream level. Yields are
low where siltstone or argillaceous limestone is penetrated. A minor
spring horizon occurs at the contact of the limestone with the underlying
siltstone or argillaceous limestone. Another spring horizon occurs near
the contact of the Warsaw and Fort Payne. Low flows generally are less
than 5 gallons per minute.
Fort Payne Formation (Mbf), limestone bodies within Fort Payne (ls),
Knifley Sandstone Member (Mfk)
Topography
These rock bodies underlie dissected rolling uplands. They form steep
valley sides in maturely dissected topography. Small valleys are steep
and V-shaped. Siltstone and chert form discontinuous ledges on hillsides.
Hydrology
Wells in lowland areas near streams produce enough water for a domestic
supply and may produce more than 5 gallons per minute from solution
openings. Most wells obtain water from perched or semiperched water
bodies supported by discontinuous shale layers, and many are dry during
late summer and fall. Minor spring horizons occur throughout the formation.
Flows are as much as 30 gallons per minute, but most go dry in late
summer or fall. Where shale layers are conspicuous or where the formation
consists predominantly of siltstone, most wells are inadequate for domestic
use (less than 100 gallons per day). Where chert layers are thick and
extensive, yields of more than 5 gallons per minute may be obtained.
Borden Formation (Muldraugh (Mbf), Halls Gap, and Nancy Members
(MDbb))
Topography
These rock formations underlie moderately to highly dissected rolling
uplands. They form erosional remnants or knobs along the Cumberland
Escarpment. Steep bluffs form along rivers.
Hydrology
Wells in lowland areas near streams produce enough water for a domestic
supply. Most wells obtain water from perched or semiperched water bodies
supported by discontinuous shale layers, and many are dry during late
summer and fall. Minor spring horizons occur throughout the formations.
Flows are as much as 30 gallons per minute, but most go dry in late
summer and fall. Where the formation consists predominantly of siltstone,
most wells are inadequate for domestic use.
Borden Formation (New Providence Shale Member) (MDbb)
Topography
The New Providence Shale forms moderate to steep slopes near the base
of the Cumberland Escarpment and in areas of knobs (small, round hills).
Hydrology
This shale yields little or no water to wells.
Chattanooga Shale (MDnb)
Topography
The Chattanooga Shale forms steep slopes near the base of the Cumberland
Escarpment and in areas of knobs. It underlies knobs near the base of
the escarpment. The shale forms the lower part of steep valley sides
and steep slopes of tributary streams. Resistant layers form small discontinuous
ledges and minor waterfalls in streams.
Hydrology
This shale yields little or no water to wells. Seepage springs are present
at numerous horizons, but most go dry during late summer and fall.
Boyle Dolomite (MDnb)
Topography
The Boyle Dolomite forms resistant ledges on valley sides between shale
slopes above and below.
Hydrology
The dolomite yields water to many small perennial springs, but almost
no water to drilled wells. Water is hard but otherwise of good quality.
Cumberland Formation, Leipers Limestone, Catheys Formation (Ocl)
Topography
These rock bodies form moderate to steep slopes and bluffs near the
Cumberland River. Limestone layers, interbedded with shales, form discontinuous
ledges along hillsides in some areas.
Hydrology
In lowland areas bordering large streams, yields are enough for a domestic
supply (more than 500 gallons per day). Elsewhere these rocks yield
little water to wells, but small quantities of water to springs. Deep
wells generally yield sulfurous water or brines.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic
Atlas Series, published cooperatively with the Kentucky Geological
Survey, provides hydrologic information for the entire state.
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