Foreword

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Overview

Water Use

Topography of the County

Geology of the County

Groundwater Availability

Exploration for Groundwater

Water Quality

Maps and Data

Additional Reading

References Cited

Definitions of Geologic Terms

Rock Descriptions

Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978)

Henderson County is located in northwestern Kentucky in the Western Kentucky coal field. The Ohio River and its ancient channel form the northern boundary of the county. The broad flood plain along the river with elevations of 350 to 370 feet is one of the most striking topographic features of the county. Sloughs, marshes, and flood scours modify the valley floor. The normal pool level of the Ohio River, 331 feet, is the lowest elevation in the county.

South of the flood plain the terrain is rolling. The greatest local relief and the highest elevations are found in the bluffs adjacent to the flood plain. The highest elevation in the county, 588 feet, is in Wolf Hills, northeast of Henderson. This point is more than 200 feet above the adjacent flood plain. The highest point in nearby Audubon Memorial State Park is 567 feet.

In the interior part of the county ridgetop elevations are generally between 450 and 500 feet. The lopes are more gradual than those of the ridges adjacent to the Ohio River flood plain. Valleys of the small tributary streams appear wide for the size of the streams, and the gradients are low.

Henderson is the county seat, and the elevation at the courthouse is approximately 400 feet. The elevations of other communities are Anthoston, 460 feet; Baskett, 400 feet; Corydon, 460 feet; Dixie, 158 feet; Geneva, 389 feet; Hebbardsville, 423 feet, Reed, 378 feet; Smith Mills, 410 feet; Spottsville, 140 feet; and Zion, 424 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.

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