Topography
 

Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978)

Knox County is in the southern part of the Eastern Kentucky coal field. The area is generally mountainous. Ridgetop elevations range from 1,300 feet at Corbin in extreme western Knox County to 2,000 feet or more in the southern and eastern extremities. The highest elevation is 2,322 feet, on a mountain peak near the Knox-Bell County line 2 miles south-southwest of Kayjay. The difference in elevation between the top of this mountain and the valley of Brush Creek, one mile east, is more than 1,100 feet.

Most of the county lies in the Cumberland drainage basin except a small area in northern Knox County which drains into the Kentucky River system due to stream piracy by Collins Fork (of Goose Creek). The lowest elevation in the county, 890 feet, is the point where Collins Fork flows northward out of the county.

The principal areas of flat land are in the valleys of Cumberland River and Lynn Camp Creek and in the lower reaches of some of their tributaries. The valley flats along the Cumberland range from 940 to 1,000 feet. Cumberland River leaves the county at an elevation of 930 feet, and Lynn Camp Creek leaves the county at Corbin at 1,050 feet.

The elevation of Barbourville, at the courthouse, is 986 feet. Elevations at other communities are Artemus, 1,016 feet; Boone Heights, 1,000 feet; Flat Lick, 1,022 feet; Fount, 904 feet; Gray, 106 feet; Heidrick, 983 feet; KayJay, 1,060 feet; and Walker Memorial State Park, 1,000 feet.

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

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