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)

Gallatin County is located in the Outer Bluegrass Region in north-central Kentucky. The Ohio River marks the northern boundary, and Eagle Creek marks part of the southern boundary.

The lowest elevations in the county are on the Ohio River. The normal pool elevation of the Ohio below Markland Locks and Dam is 420 feet, and the elevation upstream from the dam is 455 feet. Elevations on Eagle Creek range from 465 to 530 feet. Bluffs adjacent to these two streams are 250 to 300 feet above the valleys.

The county is a well-dissected upland. The principal areas of flat land are in the valleys of the Ohio River and Eagle Creek. Only in the southwestern corner of the county are there any significant number of flat-topped ridges. Ridgetop elevations are generally above 750 to 800 feet. The highest elevations appear to be on or near the divide between the Ohio River and Eagle Creek in the southern part of the county. The highest elevation, 920 feet, is on a ridge between Eagle Creek and Interstate 71, approximately 3 miles west of Glencoe.

The elevation of Warsaw, at the courthouse, is 495 feet. The highest point on Johnson Hill, a bluff immediately south of the city, is 854 feet. Glencoe and Sparta, both located in Eagle Creek Valley, have elevations of 544 and 503 feet, respectively.

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

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