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Alluvium (Qa), Glacial Sediments (Qg)
Topography
These sediments form terraces and floodplains along the Ohio River and
tributaries. Valley-train deposits in terraces occur along the Ohio
River.
Hydrology
The sediments may yield several hundred gallons per minute to drilled
wells in the Ohio River Valley, and as much as 5,000 gallons per minute
to compound horizontal wells. Nearly all wells furnish more than 500
gallons per day. Alluvium in stream valleys tributary to the Ohio River
is fine grained and thin, and 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 much of the area near the Ohio River
across alluvial deposits and bedrock.
Hydrology
Loess yields practically no water to wells.
Buffalo Wallow Formation, Tar Springs Sandstone (Mcu)
Topography
These rocks form gently rolling uplands and fairly steep slopes adjacent
to stream valleys. Sandstone lenses, some massive, form small benches.
Hydrology
These rocks yield little or no water.
Glen Dean Limestone, Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mcl)
Topography
The rocks underlie dissected and gently rolling uplands. Sandstone forms
flat uplands and benches on hillsides.
Hydrology
Most wells in upland areas are inadequate for domestic supply, yielding
little or no water.
Golconda Formation (Haney Limestone, Big Clifty Sandstone, Beech
Creek Limestone Members) (Mcl)
Topography
The Golconda limestone underlies gently rolling to flat uplands, and
forms bluffs near heads of valleys. The Big Clifty Sandstone forms Dripping
Springs Escarpment, several hundred feet high, and underlies gently
rolling uplands.
Hydrology
Deep wells that penetrate the sandstone formations near perennial stream
level may produce enough for a domestic supply (more than 500 gallons
per day). Close to outcrop areas, particularly near major escarpments,
yields from perched water bodies generally are low and not dependable.
Minor spring horizons occur on discontinuous layers of shale near the
base of the sandstones. The most conspicuous springs are those that
discharge from the base of the Big Clifty Sandstone. These are the “dripping
springs” of the Dripping Springs Escarpment. Many of these springs
go dry during the late fall and summer, and very few are adequate for
a domestic supply. Limestone formations yield small to adequate supplies
from solution openings. In lowland areas bordering streams, some wells
produce enough for a domestic supply. Many springs occur at the base
of the limestones where they crop out on escarpments and hillsides.
Girkin Formation (Reelsville Limestone, Sample Sandstone, Beaver
Bend and Paoli Limestone) (Mcl), Bethel Sandstone of the Mooretown Formation
(Mms)
Topography
These rocks form the lower part of the Dripping Springs Escarpment.
The lower part of the formation underlies rolling karst areas near the
base of the escarpment, and contains numerous large sinks into which
the overlying sandstone has collapsed. The Sample Sandstone forms a
small bench or “double step” in the Dripping Springs Escarpment.
Hydrology
Most wells in upland areas are inadequate for domestic use; however,
some wells yield enough water for a domestic supply (more than 500 gallons
per day) from solution openings. Some wells produce more than 5 gallons
per minute from large solution openings. Near outcrop areas, particularly
near major escarpments, yields generally are inadequate during dry periods.
Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The Ste. Genevieve underlies rolling karst areas, greatly dissected
in places. It forms steep bluffs along the Ohio River.
Hydrology
The Ste. Genevieve yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from
large solution openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate solution
openings, but in areas high above perennial streams, these solution
openings are dry in late summer and fall and many wells are inadequate.
Wells that do not intersect karst conduits generally are inadequate
for domestic use. Springs having low flows ranging from less than 10
gallons per minute to more than 1,500 gallons per minute occur at or
near stream level or near the contact with the underlying St. Louis
Limestone. Smaller springs discharge from perched water bodies in upland
areas, but many go dry during late summer and fall.
St. Louis Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The St. Louis underlies rolling karst areas. It commonly has less relief
than karst in areas underlain by the Ste. Genevieve Limestone, but sinkholes
are steeper. It forms steep bluffs along the Ohio River.
Hydrology
The St. Louis yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from large
openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate some solution openings,
but in high areas above perennial streams, yields are often inadequate
for domestic supply. Yields of wells close to major streams are large
where solution openings are penetrated, but most wells near major streams
are inadequate. A major spring horizon has many springs flowing several
hundred to several thousand gallons per minute. Many springs are used
for public and industrial water supplies.
Salem Limestone (Msh)
Topography
The Salem underlies rolling dissected uplands.
Hydrology
The Salem yields enough water for a domestic supply where solution openings
are encountered close to perennial stream level. Wells that penetrate
large solution openings may produce more than 5 gallons per minute.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic Atlas Series, published cooperatively
with the Kentucky Geological Survey, provides hydrologic information
for the entire state. Atlases for Meade County are HA-33,
HA-72, and
HA-95.
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