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Breathitt Group (Pbu, Pbm, Pbl) (Princess Formation, Four Corners
Formation, Hyden
Formation, Pikeville Formation)
Topography
The topography of the Breathitt is rugged; sandstones form narrow valleys
and cliffs or steep slopes on hillsides, and shales form 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 gal/day to three-quarters of the
wells drilled in valley bottoms. In the western part of the county,
the Breathitt yields more than 500 gal/day to almost half the wells
on hillsides and smaller quantities of water to wells on hilltops. In
the eastern part of the county, the Breathitt yields more than 500 gal/day
to about three-quarters of the wells on hillsides, and more than 100
gal/day to nearly all wells on ridges. Sandstones yield water to most
wells. Shales also yield water to many wells, and coal yields water
to a few. Near-vertical joints and openings along bedding plains yield
most of the water to wells. Waters are highly variable in chemical character.
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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