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Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978) Barren County in south-central Kentucky, occupies part of the Mississippian Plateau Region. The topography varies from a plateau area moderately to deeply dissected by normal stream erosion in the southeast, to a sinkhole (karst) plain in the central and northeast, to a highly dissected plateau in the northwest. Isolated knobs, erosion remnants of the upland plateau, punctuate the landscape in the northern part of the county. The Dripping Springs Escarpment separates the higher plateau from the karst plain. It is the most conspicuous topographic feature in the county. It is a southeast-facing cuesta that rises approximately 200 feet above the karst plain. Elevations on the outer edge of the escarpment range from 850 to 960 feet. A small part of Mammoth Cave National Park is situated in the upland plateau area in northwestern Barren County. The karst plain is characterized by sinkholes, sinking creeks, springs, and caverns. Surface drainage is rare in the area. Beaver Creek marks the approximate outer (southern) boundary of the karst plain. To the south and southeast, normal drainage patterns are developed. Interstream ridges range from 800 to 960 feet. Valleys are typically 100 or more feet deep. The highest elevation in Barren County is Loves Knob, 1,068 feet, just north of U.S. 68 near the eastern boundary of Barren County. Prewitts Knob is another conspicuous landmark; situated on the southeast side of U.S. 31 between Cave City and Park City, it attains an elevation of 1,058 feet, rising some 350 feet above the sinkhole plain. The lowest elevation is 465 feet, at the point where the Barren River leaves the western side of the county. the elevation at the courthouse in Glasgow is about 770 feet. Other elevations are Austin, 774 feet; Cave City, 635 feet; Eighty Eight, 805 feet; Hiseville, 720 feet; Lucas, 762 feet; Park City, 650 feet; and Temple Hill, 803 feet. Normal pool level of Barren River Lake is 552 feet. The 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps that cover the county are
shown, by name and by index code (Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection Cabinet) on the index
map. Previous--Next--Back to "Groundwater Resources in Kentucky"
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