|
Alluvium and Glacial Outwash Sediments (Qa)
Topography
These sediments form terraces and flood plains along the Ohio River
and tributaries. Valleytrain deposits in terraces occur along the Ohio
River.
Hydrology
The alluvium may yield several hundred gal/min (gallons per minute)
to drilled wells in the Ohio River valley, and as much as 5,000 gal/min
to compound horizontal wells. Nearly all wells furnish more than 500
gal/day. Alluvium in stream valleys tributary to the Ohio River is finegrained
and thin, most wells do not yield enough for domestic use. Water is
hard to very hard and may contain objectionable amounts of iron.
Loess
Topography
Loess forms a thin mantle over alluvial deposits and bedrock over much
of the area near the Ohio River.
Hydrology
Loess yields practically no water to wells.
McLeansboro Group (Mattoon, Bond, Patoka and Shelburn Formations),
formerly the Sturgis Formation (Ps)
Topography
The Mcleansboro forms dissected uplands and ridgetops.
Hydrology
This group yields practically no water except to wells penetrating sandstone.
Water near the outcrop area is hard but is increasingly soft downdip.
Sodium bicarbonate content increases downdip. Iron may be present in
objectionable amounts.
Carbondale Formation (Pc)
Topography
The Carbondale forms dissected uplands and ridgetops. Resistant sandstone
beds form cliffs.
Hydrology
The Carbondale yields enough water for a modern domestic supply to wells
penetrating sandstone, but practically no water to wells penetrating
shale. Water is hard or very hard in outcrop area and is increasingly
mineralized downdip.
Generalized areas of underground mining have been compiled for several
important coal beds as
part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National
Coal Assessment Program. Using this data, a map
was created showing mined-out
areas of selected seams in the county.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic
Atlas Series, published cooperatively with the Kentucky Geological
Survey, provides hydrologic information for the entire state.
Previous--Next--Back
to "Groundwater Resources in Kentucky"
|