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Alluvium (Qa)
Topography
The alluvium forms terraces and narrow floodplains of varying width
along streams. At least one well-developed terrace is generally present.
Hydrology
The alluvium yields more than 100 gallons per day to most dug wells.
As much as 20 or 25 gallons per minute may be yielded to wells drilled
and screened in the alluvium of the lower sections of the Levisa Fork.
Water is soft or moderately hard, and may contain large amounts of iron
at depth.
Breathitt Group (Pbu, Pbm, Pbl) (Princess Formation, Four Corners
Formation, Hyden Formation, Pikeville Formation)
Topography
The Breathitt underlies valleys and forms the rugged hills of the county.
Sandstone forms narrow valleys and cliffs or steep slopes on hillsides,
and shale forms wide valleys and moderate or gentle slopes on hills.
Tops of hills and ridges commonly are capped by sandstone.
Hydrology
The Breathitt yields more than 500 gallons per day to more than three-quarters
of the wells drilled in valley bottoms, and more than 500 gallons per
day to about three-quarters of the wells drilled on hillsides. Nearly
all wells on ridges yield more than 100 gallons per day. The most common
aquifers are sandstone and shale, but coal supplies water to a few wells.
Near-vertical joints and openings along bedding plains yield most of
the water to wells. Waters are highly variable in chemical character.
Groundwater may be salty at depths less than 100 feet below the principal
valley bottoms.
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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