|
Alluvium (Qa)
Topography
Alluvium forms floodplains along the larger streams.
Hydrology
Most wells in the alluvium are inadequate for a domestic supply.
Glen Dean Limestone, Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mcl)
Topography
These formations underlie gently rolling to flat uplands. Limestones
form steep slopes above
benches of sandstone. Sandstones form small discontinuous 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
Limestone in the Golconda underlies gently rolling to flat uplands.
The Golconda forms bluffs
near heads of valleys. The Big Clifty sandstone caps the Dripping Springs
Escarpment, several
hundred feet high.
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.
Adjacent to large upland areas, flows are as much as 250 gallons per
minute and as little as more than 5 gallons per minute from some springs.
Girkin Formation (Paint Creek Limestone, Bethel Sandstone, and Renault
Limestone) (Mcl)
Topography
The Girkin forms the lower part of the Dripping Springs Escarpment.
The lower part of the Girkin underlies rolling karst areas near the
base of the escarpment. The Girkin contains numerous large sinks into
which the overlying sandstone has collapsed. The upper passages of the
Mammoth Cave System lie within the lower Girkin Formation.
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.
Many springs occur at the base of the limestones, where they crop out
on escarpments and hillsides. Adjacent to large upland areas, flows
are as much as 250 gallons per minute and as little as more than 5 gallons
per minute from some springs.
Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The Ste. Genevieve underlies rolling and dissected karst areas.
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. 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, but commonly has less relief
than karst in areas
underlain by the Ste. Genevieve Limestone.
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 where high 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 a minute.
Salem and Warsaw Formations (Msh)
Topography
These formations underlie gently rolling uplands. They form steep bluffs
where the limestone overlies rocks of Osagean age.
Hydrology
These formations yield enough water for a domestic supply where solution
openings are penetrated close to perennial stream level. Wells than
penetrate large solution openings may produce more than 5 gallons per
minute. A minor spring horizon occurs in the upper part and at the contact
of the limestone with the underlying siltstone.
Fort Payne Formation (Mbf)
Topography
The Fort Payne underlies dissected rolling uplands. It forms steep valley
sides in maturely
dissected topography. Small valleys are steep and V-shaped. Siltstone
and chert form
discontinuous ledges on hillsides.
Hydrology
Wells in lowland areas close to streams produce enough water for a domestic
supply and may produce more than 5 gallons per minute from solution
openings. Most wells obtain water from perched or semiperched water
bodies supported by discontinuous shale layers, and many are dry during
late summer and fall. Minor spring horizons occur throughout the formation.
Flows are as much as 30 gallons per minute, but most are seasonal. Where
shale layers are conspicuous, most wells are inadequate for domestic
use. Where chert layers are thick and extensive in area, yields of more
than 5 gallons per minute may be obtained.
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"
|