Foreword

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Overview

Water Use

Topography of the County

Geology of the County

Groundwater Availability

Exploration for Groundwater

Karst

Water Quality

Maps and Data

Additional Reading

References Cited

Definitions of Geologic Terms

Rock Descriptions

Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978)

Edmonson County is located between the Mississippian Plateaus and Western Kentucky Coal Field physiographic regions. This is the "big cave" country. Much of Mammoth Cave National Park is located in this county. Although the county does not contain particularly high elevations, the topography is diverse and varied. The most conspicuous topographic features are the Dripping Springs Escarpment near the southern edge of the county and the entrenched valley of the Green River, which follows a sinuous route across the middle of the county.

The Dripping Springs Escarpment, a south-facing cuesta, separates a low, slightly rolling sinkhole plain from the higher sandstone-capped plateau. Elevations on the limestone plain are commonly 600 to 650 feet, and the outer edge of the escarpment is 200 feet higher. Locally, the Dripping Springs escarpment has been referred to as The Knobs, but it should not be confused with the belt of knobs of the Muldraugh (Highland Rim) Escarpment to the northeast. The area north of the Dripping Springs Escarpment is more highly dissected by stream erosion than the area to the south and has greater local differences in elevation. Between the escarpment and the Green River are numerous flat-topped ridges separated by streamless valleys. North of the Green River the topography reflects a more normal drainage pattern. The Green River is 200 to 300 feet below the surrounding uplands.

The highest elevations in Edmonson County are about 900 feet, found on a ridge about 2 miles east-northeast of Rhoda and on the ridge along Ky. 1827 (which is on the drainage divide between the Green and Nolin Rivers). The lowest elevation is approximately 412 feet, at the point where the Green River leaves the county. Brownsville, the county seat, has an elevation of 537 feet at the courthouse. Other elevations in the county include Bee Spring, 696 feet; headquarters at Mammoth Cave National Park, 740 feet; the Green River near the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave, 422 feet; maximum elevations on Mammoth Cave Ridge and Flint Ridge, 880 feet; Bald Knob at Park Mammoth Resort, 820 feet; Lindseyville, 699 feet; normal pool elevation of Nolin Lake, 515 feet; Rocky Hill, 625 feet; Rhoda, 542 feet; and Sweeden, 772 feet.

The 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps that cover Edmonson County are shown, by name and by index code (Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet) on the index map.

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