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Alluvium and Glacial Outwash Sediments (Qa)
Topography
These sediments form floodplains, valley bottoms, and terraces of the
Tennessee River and tributaries.
Hydrology
These unconsolidated materials yield several hundred gallons a minute
to drilled wells in the alluvium of the Tennessee River Valley, and
enough water for a modern domestic supply (more than 500 gallons per
day) to nearly all wells. The alluvium yields practically no water to
wells in small valleys where it is thin and fine grained. Water ranges
in hardness from 12 to 664 parts per million and in dissolved solids
from 53 to 1,220 parts per million. Iron may be present in objectionable
amounts.
Loess
Topography
Loess forms a thin mantle over most uplands and gently sloping sides
of stream valleys. Thick deposits adjacent to the Mississippi River
thin to a veneer near Kentucky Lake. Loess forms steep bluffs where
thick. Many badlands or heavily eroded gullies occur in it in the uplands.
Hydrology
Not an aquifer. Yields small amounts of water to a few wells. When saturated
by rainfall, transmits water to underlying aquifers.
Terrace Gravel Deposits and Continental Deposits (QTcl)
Topography
These occurs on uplands and eroded edges of uplands above 370 feet.
Hydrology
These deposits yield small quantities of water suitable for household
use. One spring had a measured discharge of 47 gallons per minute. Most
wells yield less than 10 gallons per minute. Water-bearing gravel usually
overlies clay or indurated layers. Water ranges in hardness from 8 to
724 parts per million and in dissolved solids from 43 to 782 parts per
million. Iron content is generally low.
Jackson, Claiborne (Tjc), and Wilcox Formations (Tw)
Topography
These form uplands and a high-level erosional surface over most of the
area.
Hydrology
The sand yields enough water for domestic use near the outcrop area
of the Porters Creek Clay and in areas of perched water. Drilled wells
penetrating the main zone of saturation where beds are thick yield as
much as 1,700 gallons per minute. Hardness of water ranges from 7 to
212 parts per million, and dissolved solids from 28 to 431 parts per
million. Iron may be present in objectionable amounts.
Porters Creek Clay (Tp)
Topography
The Porters Creek Clay crops out along the Clarks River Valley and in
adjacent uplands from the Tennessee state line to Paducah.
Hydrology
The Porters Creek probably will yield a little water from joints and
from sandstone “dikes.” Water is probably hard and high in
iron. This formation is important as a confining layer.
Clayton and McNairy Formations (TKcm)
Topography
These form uplands and dissected ridges between Kentucky Lake and the
Clarks River. In eastern Calloway County, badlands are formed where
McNairy sand crops out.
Hydrology
These formations yields sufficient water for domestic use near the outcrop
area of Paleozoic bedrock and in areas of perched water. Where the formation
is thick, drilled wells yield as much as 830 gallons per minute. In
areas where the formation is mostly silt and clay, there may not be
sufficient saturated sand to furnish even a domestic supply. The hardness
of water ranges from 13 to 182 parts per million, and dissolved solids
from 62 to 275 parts per million. Iron may be present in objectionable
amounts. One well in Calloway County produces more than 1,100 gallons
per minute.
St. Louis and Salem Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
These limestones underlie dissected uplands and ridges, and cap hills
in downdropped fault blocks.
Hydrology
In the Jackson Purchase Region west of Kentucky Lake, no wells in the
bedrock are known that do not yield enough water for domestic use.
Warsaw Limestone (Mw)
Topography
The Warsaw underlies dissected uplands and ridges adjacent to the Tennessee
River.
Hydrology
In the Jackson Purchase Region west of Kentucky Lake, no wells in the
bedrock are known that do not yield enough water for domestic use.
Fort Payne Formation (Mbf)
Topography
The Fort Payne is present in fault blocks under the embayment sediments.
Hydrology
In the Jackson Purchase Region west of Kentucky Lake, no wells in the
bedrock are known that do not yield enough water for domestic use.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic Atlas Series, published cooperatively
with the Kentucky Geological Survey, provides hydrologic information
for the entire state. Hydrologic Atlases for Calloway County are: HA-93,
Dexter; HA-112,
Lynn Grove; HA-113,
Kirksey; HA-118,
New Concord; HA-124,
Hazel; HA-158,
Hico; HA-160,
Rushing Creek; and HA-165,
Hamlin.
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