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Discussion from McGrain and Currens (1978) Pike County is the easternmost county in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. It is a highly dissected upland with irregular mountain ridges occupying about the same amount of area as the valleys. Mountaintop elevations range from 1,300 to 1,600 feet in the north; some are more than 2,000 feet in the south. Local reliefs of 500 to 800 feet or more are common over most of the county. The most striking topographic feature in Pike County is Pine Mountain, which lies along the southern border between Shelby Gap and Elkhorn City. This mountain is part of a linear ridge that extends more than 100 miles from Bell County to Pike County. Its straight, spine-like crest and great height sets it apart from the sinuous and irregular ridges to the north. Precipitous cliffs are common along the crest, where elevations range from 2,600 feet to more than 3,000 feet. The difference in elevation between the crest and Elkhorn Creek at the foot of the mountain may be as great as 2,000 feet. The highest elevation on Pine Mountain, and the highest elevation in Pike County, is 3,149 feet, on a peak approximately 2 1/4 miles southwest of Ashcamp. For the most part, mountainous ridges throughout the county are narrow and sharp. A striking exception is the tableland 3 miles east of Dorton called "Flatwoods." Flatwoods is a mesa-like upland with broad flats at 2,550 to 2,600 feet, standing out like an island in a region of narrow, irregular hills and ridges. The highest point is at the base of Flatwood Lookout Tower, where an elevation of 2,846 feet has been recorded. The principal areas of flat land in Pike County are in the valleys. These areas are narrow and are the locations of the communities, railroads, and principal highways. Tug Fork of Big Sandy River marks the eastern boundary of the county. The lowest elevation in the county, approximately 610 feet, is where Tug Fork leaves the northeastern corner of the county. Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River flows across the western part of the county and leaves at an elevation of approximately 620 feet. The confluence of Levisa and Russell Forks is approximately 660 feet. The elevation of Pikeville, the county seat, is 685 feet. Elevations at other communities are Ashcamp, 1,064 feet; Belfry, 709 feet; Buskirk, 720 feet; Dorton, 1,017 feet; Draffin, 729 feet; Elkhorn City, 800 feet; Fedscreek, 830 feet; Freeburn, 740 feet; Hellier, 1,160 feet; Henry Clay, 1,020 feet; Jamboree, 911 feet; McVeigh, 1,012 feet; Meta, 745 feet; Millard, 712 feet; Phelps, 839 feet; Pinson, 812 feet; Robinson Creek, 760 feet; Shelby Gap, 1,384 feet; Shelbiana, 720 feet; South Williamson, 640 feet; Tolar, 680 feet; and Varney, 907 feet. The flood pool level of Fishtrap Lake, on Levisa Fork, is 825 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. Previous--Next--Back to "Groundwater Resources in Kentucky"
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