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Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978) Wolfe County is in the western part of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. It is a well-dissected upland area with ridgetop elevations between 1,200 and 1,300 feet over most of the county. Local reliefs of 250 to 300 feet are common. The northwestern part of the county is characterized by narrow, cliff-rimmed, flat-topped ridges. This is part of the famous natural bridge country of Kentucky. Natural rock arches, pinnacles, and precipitous cliffs are part of the landscape in this area. In other parts of the county the slopes are not as steep, but the ridgetop elevations are essentially the same. The highest elevation in Wolfe County is 1,460 feet, on a ridge near the Wolfe-Breathitt County line, about 3 1/2 miles southwest of Lee City in the southeastern part of the county. Valleys are cut 100 to 500 feet below the uplands. The valley of the Red River, which marks part of the northern boundary of the county, is 200 to 500 feet deep. The upper part of the valley wall is rimmed with nearly vertical cliffs. The elevation of the Red River, where it leaves the county, is approximately 690 feet. The lowest elevation in the county, 650 feet, is on the North Fork of the Kentucky River, where the county boundary crosses a meander of this stream. The elevation of Campton, the county seat, is 960 feet. Other elevations include Bethany, 800 feet; Hazel Green, 937 feet; Helechawa, 957 feet; Landsaw, 943 feet; Pine Ridge, 1,256 feet; Stillwater, 914 feet; and Zachariah, on the Wolfe-Lee County line, 1,239 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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