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Alluvium (Qa)
Topography
Alluvium forms terraces and floodplains along the Green River and tributaries.
Hydrology
Most wells furnish less than 100 gallons per day, inadequate for a domestic
supply.
Glen Dean Limestone, Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mcl)
Topography
These rocks underlie dissected uplands.
Hydrology
Most wells in upland areas are inadequate for a domestic supply, yielding
little or no water.
Golconda Formation (Haney Limestone, Big Clifty Sandstone, Beech
Creek Limestone Members) (Mcl)
Topography
The Golconda limestone underlies gently rolling to flat uplands and
forms bluffs near heads of valleys. The Big Clifty Sandstone forms 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 and Paoli Limestone) (Mcl)
Topography
The Girkin contains numerous large sinks into which the overlying sandstone
has collapsed.
Hydrology
Most wells in upland areas are inadequate for domestic use, but 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 Limestone underlies rolling karst areas, and forms
steep bluffs near the Green River.
Hydrology
This formation 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 formation 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 the contact with the
underlying St. Louis Limestone.
St. Louis Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The St. Louis underlies rolling karst areas. Its karst commonly has
less relief than karst in areas underlain by the Ste. Genevieve Limestone.
Resistant siltstone and nonresistant shale layers form discontinuous
minor benches on hillsides.
Hydrology
The St. Louis 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. 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 are 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 formations yield enough water for a domestic supply where they
are dominantly limestone and close to perennial stream level. Yields
are low where siltstone or argillaceous limestone is penetrated. A minor
spring horizon occurs 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.
Fort Payne Formation (Mbf) (ls)
Topography
The Fort Payne underlies dissected rolling uplands, and forms steep
valley sides in maturely dissected topography. Small valleys are steep
and V-shaped. Siltstone and chert form discontinuous ledges on hillsides.
Hydrology
Wells in lowland areas close to streams produce enough water for a domestic
supply and may produce more than 5 gallons per minute from solution
openings. 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 formation.
Flows are as much as 30 gallons per minute, but most go dry in late
summer or fall. Where shale layers are conspicuous or when the formation
consists predominantly of siltstone, most wells are inadequate for domestic
use (less than 100 gallons per day). Where chert layers are thick and
areally extensive, yields of more than 5 gallons per minute may be obtained.
Borden Formation (Muldraugh) (Mbf)
Topography
The Borden underlies moderately to highly dissected rolling uplands.
It forms erosional remnants or knobs along the escarpment, and 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 formation.
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.
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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