|
Alluvium (Qa)
Topography
The alluvium forms terraces and narrow floodplains of varying width
along streams. At least one well-developed terrace is generally present.
Hydrology
The alluvium yields more than 100 gallons per day to most dug wells.
It probably will yield as much as 20 or 25 gallons per minute to wells
drilled and screened in the alluvium of the lower sections of the Tug
and Levisa Forks. Water is soft or moderately hard; it may contain large
amounts of iron at depth.
Breathitt Group (Pbu, Pbm, Pbl) (Princess Formation, Four Corners
Formation, Hyden Formation, Pikeville Formation)
Topography
The Breathitt underlies valleys and forms the rugged hills. Sandstone
forms narrow valleys and cliffs or steep slopes on hillsides, and shale
forms 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 gallons per day to most of the wells
drilled in valley bottoms and half of the wells on hillsides, and smaller
quantities of water to wells on hilltops. The most common aquifers are
sandstone and shale, but coal supplies water to a few wells. Near-vertical
joints and openings along bedding planes yield most of the water to
wells. Waters are highly variable in chemical character. Groundwater
may contain salty water at depths less than 100 feet below the principal
valley bottoms.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic
Atlas Series, published cooperatively with the Kentucky Geological
Survey, provides hydrologic information for the entire state.
Previous--Next--Back
to "Groundwater Resources in Kentucky"
|