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Alluvium (Qa)
Topography
Alluvium forms floodplains along the larger streams.
Hydrology
Most wells in alluvium are inadequate for a domestic supply.
Glen Dean Limestone, Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mcl)
Topography
These rock bodies underlie gently rolling to level uplands. Uplands
are dissected along the perimeter of the Dripping Springs Escarpment.
The limestone forms steep slopes above benches of the underlying sandstone.
The sandstone forms small discontinuous benches on hillsides.
Hydrology
Wells in these formations yield little or no water: most wells in upland
areas are inadequate for a domestic supply.
Golconda Formation (Haney Limestone, Big Clifty Sandstone, Beech
Creek Limestone Members) (Mcl)
Topography
The limestone underlies gently rolling to flat uplands and forms bluffs
near heads of valleys. The Big Clifty Sandstone caps a major escarpment,
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.
Girkin Formation (Reelsville Limestone, Sample Sandstone, Beaver
Bend Limestone, and Paoli Limestone (Mcl)
Topography
The Girkin forms the lower part of the Dripping Springs Escarpment.
The lower part of the formation underlies rolling karst areas near the
base of the escarpment. The Girkin contains numerous large sinks into
which the overlying sandstone has collapsed. Upper Mammoth Cave passages
are developed within the lower beds of the 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.
Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The Ste. Genevieve underlies rolling karst areas. Part of the caverns
of Mammoth Cave are developed in this formation.
Hydrology
This limestone 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. The Ste. Genevieve contains major caverns of the Mammoth
Cave area, which have large, connected subsurface streams. 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 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 in the St. Louis. Resistant siltstone and nonresistant shale
layers form discontinuous minor benches on hillsides. The St. Louis
forms steep bluffs along the Barren River. The lowest passages of Mammoth
Cave are mostly developed within this formation.
Hydrology
This limestone yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from
large openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate some solution openings,
but where openings are small or high above perennial streams, yields
are often inadequate for a domestic supply. Yields of wells close to
major streams are large where solution openings are penetrated, but
most wells close to major streams are inadequate. A major spring horizon
occurs near the top of the formation in the karst areas. Many seepage
springs occur throughout the formation; low flows range from less than
10 gallons per minute to more than 1,000 gallons per minute. The lower
part of the formation is composed of siltstone and argillaceous limestone.
Yields from these sedimentary rocks are low and generally not adequate
for a domestic supply.
Salem, Warsaw, Harrodsburg Formations (Msh)
Topography
These formations underlie gently rolling uplands. They form steep bluffs
where the limestone overlies rocks of Osagean age. In some areas numerous
small sinkholes occur in the Warsaw.
Hydrology
These rock bodies yield enough water for a domestic supply where formations
are dominantly limestone and solution openings are penetrated close
to perennial stream level. Wells that penetrate large solution openings
may produce more than 5 gallons per minute. Yields are low where siltstone
or argillaceous limestone is penetrated. Minor spring horizons occur
in the upper part and at the contact of the limestone with the underlying
siltstone or argillaceous limestone. Another spring horizon occurs near
the contact of the Warsaw and Fort Payne. Low flows generally are less
than 5 gallons per minute.
Borden Formation (Muldraugh) (Mbf)
Topography
The Muldraugh underlies moderately to highly dissected rolling uplands.
It forms erosional remnants, or knobs, along the escarpment, and forms
steep bluffs along rivers.
Hydrology
Wells in lowland areas close to streams produce enough water for a domestic
supply. 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 formations.
Flows are as much as 30 gallons per minute, but most go dry in late
summer and fall. Where the formation consists predominantly of siltstone,
most wells are inadequate for domestic use.
Chattanooga Shale (MDnb)
Topography
The shale forms the lower part of steep valley sides and steep slopes
of tributary streams. Resistant layers form small discontinuous ledges
and minor waterfalls in streams.
Hydrology
The Chattanooga yields little or no water to wells. Seepage springs
are present at numerous horizons, but most go dry during late summer
and fall.
Laurel and Brassfield Dolomites, Osgood Formation (Slb)
Topography
Dolomite beds form resistant ledges on valley sides.
Hydrology
These rock bodies yield small quantities of water to wells.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic
Atlas Series, published cooperatively with the Kentucky Geological
Survey, provides hydrologic information for the entire state.
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