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Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978) Pulaski County, in southern Kentucky, lies largely in the Mississippian Plateaus Region. The Cumberland Escarpment, which crosses the southeastern part of the county, is the most conspicuous topographic feature and the locale of the most rugged terrain. The Mississippian Plateaus Region in the county is a moderately to well-dissected upland, ranging in elevation from approximately 1,150 feet at the western edge of the county to 950 feet at Somerset. Numerous hills and knobs punctuate the plateau. These are erosional remnants of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field upland to the east and rise 200 to 400 feet above the surrounding surface. Reservoir Knob, 1,283 feet, at Somerset, and Big Knob, 1,439 feet, northwest of Somerset, are examples of such features. The highest elevation in Pulaski County is approximately 1,680 feet, at the point where the Pulaski-Casey County line crosses the southeast flank of Green River Knob.The central part of Pulaski County (the eastern part of the Mississippian Plateaus) is characterized by sinkholes, sinking creeks, springs, and related subsurface drainage features. Valleys with subterranean drainage features indent the Cumberland Escarpment. Some of these valleys are perched above present drainage levels as the result of waters being diverted to underground drainage systems. The edge of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field is 300 to 400 feet above the sinkhole area to the west. The higher ridges generally have elevations of 1,200 to 1,300 feet. Precipitous cliffs line many of the valleys, which are deeply incised in the upland. The Cumberland River crosses southern Pulaski County, and parts of Lake Cumberland extend into the southwestern part of the county. The lowest elevation in the county is 723 feet, the normal pool elevation of Lake Cumberland. The elevation of Somerset, at the city square, is 975 feet. Elevations at other communities are Alpine, 1,150 feet; Ano, 1,106 feet; Bobtown, 1,100 feet; Burnside, 860 feet; Delmer, 980 feet; Dykes, 835 feet; Eubank, 1,202 feet; Faubush, 1,150 feet; Mount Victory, 1,184 feet; Nancy, 1,084 feet; Science Hill, 1,117 feet; Shopville, 879 feet; Sloans Valley, 854 feet; and Tatesville, 872 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. Previous--Next--Back to "Groundwater Resources in Kentucky"
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