|
Alluvium and Glacial Outwash Sediments (Qa)
Topography
These sediments form floodplains, valley bottoms, and terraces of the
Mississippi River and its tributaries, and valley-train deposits beneath
terraces along the Mississippi River.
Hydrology
Yields from shallow driven wells in the Mississippian valley are reported
to be adequate for domestic use; however, near the river, water levels
fluctuate greatly, and some shallow wells are dry or inadequate in the
summer and fall. Drilled wells in the Mississippian 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. The 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 lie adjacent to the Mississippi River.
Loess forms steep bluffs where it is thick. Many bad lands or heavily
eroded gullies occur in the uplands.
Hydrology
The loess is not an aquifer. It does yield 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 yields small quantities of water suitable for household
use. One spring had 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)
Topography
These materials form uplands and a high-level erosional surface over
most of the county, and extend beneath river terraces along the Mississippi
Valley.
Hydrology
Sand yields enough water for domestic use 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 Fulton County are HA-162,
Water Valley; HA-167,
Crutchfield; HA-178,
Bondurant, Hubbard Lake, New Madrid; HA-180,
Cayce; HA-181,
Hickman; and HA-182,
Oakton and Wolf Island.
Previous--Next--Back
to "Groundwater Resources in Kentucky"
|