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)

McLean County is located in the Western Kentucky coal field. The topography is characterized by patches of low hills separated by broad valley flats, the wide bottom lands along Green River and its tributaries are the most striking feature of the terrain. The lowest elevations in the county are found here. Elevations along the flood plain are between 380 and 400 feet. The lowest point, approximately 545 feet, is Green River where it leaves the county.

Irregular masses of hills and ridges rise like islands above the broad valley flats. Elevations of ridge crests and hilltops are generally 500 feet or less, but locally they may attain greater heights. The highest elevation in the county, 660 feet, is on Barrett Hill on the McLean-Ohio County line. Grindstone Hill, 3 miles southwest of Glenville, has in elevation of 601 feet. The hills are mildly dissected by normal stream erosion. Local relief of 100 feet or less is common, but in a few instances it may be as great as 200 feet.

The elevation of Calhoun, the county seat, is 395 feet. Other elevations are Beech Grove, 398 feet; Glenville, 441 feet; Island, 430 feet; Livermore, 408 feet; Rumsey, 387 feet; and Sacramento, 497 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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