Foreword

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Overview

Water Use

Topography of the County

Geology of the County

Groundwater Availability

Exploration for Groundwater

Water Quality

Maps and Data

Additional Reading

References Cited

Definitions of Geologic Terms

Rock Descriptions

Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978)

Lawrence County is in the northeastern section of the Eastern Kentucky coal field. It is a well-dissected upland area with ridgetop elevations generally ranging between 900 and 1,100 feet. Local reliefs of 300 to 400 feet are common.

The highest elevations are found on the drainage divide between Big Sandy and Licking Rivers in the extreme western part of the county on the boundary with Morgan County. The highest point on this divide is 1,320 feet.

Big Sandy River forms the eastern border of the county. The lowest elevations in the county are found here. Upstream from Louisa, the valley flats are narrow. Levisa and Tug Forks join at Louisa and the valley broadens north of this point. The elevation of Big Sandy River where it leaves the county is about 515 feet, the lowest point in Lawrence County.

The elevation of Louisa, the county seat, is 580 feet. Elevations of other communities are Blaine, 650 feet; Buchanan, 560 feet; Fallsburg, 570 feet; Richardson, 600 feet; and Webbville, 649 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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