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Alluvium and Glacial Outwash Sediments (Qa)
Topography
These sediments form floodplains, valley bottoms, and terraces of the
Mississippi River and tributaries. Valley-train deposits form beneath
terraces along the Mississippi River.
Hydrology
Yields from shallow driven wells in the Mississippi Valley are reported
adequate for domestic use; however, near the river, water levels fluctuate
greatly and some shallow wells are dry or are inadequate in the summer
and fall. Drilled wells in the Mississippi River alluvium may supply
large amounts of water from the deeper gravelly unit for irrigation
and for public and industrial uses, except in areas where the saturated
thickness is less than 10 feet. Saturated thickness generally ranges
from about 30 to 150 feet and a well may yield 3,000 gallons per minute
or more in favorable areas. Yields of 1,000 gallons per minute may be
expected in most places. The water is hard and contains objectionable
amounts of iron and manganese. These sediments yield enough water for
a modern domestic supply (more than 500 gallons per day) to nearly all
wells, but practically no water to wells in small valleys where the
alluvium 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 the uplands.
Hydrology
Not an aquifer. It yields small amounts of water to a few wells. When
saturated by rainfall, it transmits water to underlying aquifers.
Terrace Gravel Deposits and Continental Deposits (QTcl)
Topography
These deposits occur on uplands and eroded edges of uplands above 370
feet.
Hydrology
These deposits yield small quantities of water suitable for household
use. One spring in the area had a measured discharge of 47 gallons per
minute, but 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)
Topography
These formations create uplands and a high-level erosional surface over
most of the area. They extend beneath river terraces along the Mississippi
Valley.
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.
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-169,
Fancy Farm; HA-172,
Lovelaceville; HA-179,
Milburn; HA-183,
Arlington and Wickliffe SW; HA-184,
Blandville; and HA-185,
Wickliffe and Wickliffe NW.
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