Groundwater Availability
 

Alluvium (Qa)
Topography
Alluvium forms floodplains along the larger streams.

Hydrology
Most wells in the alluvium are inadequate for a domestic supply.

Glen Dean Limestone, Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mcl)
Topography
These formations underlie gently rolling to flat uplands. Limestones form steep slopes above benches of sandstone. Sandstones form small discontinuous benches on hillsides.

Hydrology
Most wells in upland areas are inadequate for domestic supply, yielding little or no water.

Golconda Formation (Haney Limestone, Big Clifty Sandstone, Beech Creek Limestone, Members) (Mcl)
Topography
Limestone in the Golconda underlies gently rolling to flat uplands. The Golconda forms bluffs near heads of valleys. The Big Clifty sandstone caps the Dripping Springs Escarpment, several hundred feet high.

Hydrology
Deep wells that penetrate the sandstone formations near perennial stream level may produce enough for a domestic supply (more than 500 gallons per day). Close to outcrop areas, particularly near major escarpments, yields from perched water bodies generally are low and not dependable. Minor spring horizons occur on discontinuous layers of shale near the base of the sandstones. The most conspicuous springs are those that discharge from the base of the Big Clifty Sandstone. These are the “dripping springs” of the Dripping Springs Escarpment. Many of these springs go dry during the late fall and summer, and very few are adequate for a domestic supply. Limestone formations yield small to adequate supplies from solution openings. In lowland areas bordering streams, some wells produce enough for a domestic supply. Many springs occur at the base of the limestones where they crop out on escarpments and hillsides. Adjacent to large upland areas, flows are as much as 250 gallons per minute and as little as more than 5 gallons per minute from some springs.

Girkin Formation (Paint Creek Limestone, Bethel Sandstone, and Renault Limestone) (Mcl)
Topography
The Girkin forms the lower part of the Dripping Springs Escarpment. The lower part of the Girkin underlies rolling karst areas near the base of the escarpment. The Girkin contains numerous large sinks into which the overlying sandstone has collapsed. The upper passages of the Mammoth Cave System lie within the lower Girkin Formation.

Hydrology
Most wells in upland areas are inadequate for domestic use; however, some wells yield enough water for a domestic supply (more than 500 gallons per day) from solution openings. Some wells produce more than 5 gallons per minute from large solution openings. Near outcrop areas, particularly near major escarpments, yields generally are inadequate during dry periods. Many springs occur at the base of the limestones, where they crop out on escarpments and hillsides. Adjacent to large upland areas, flows are as much as 250 gallons per minute and as little as more than 5 gallons per minute from some springs.

Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The Ste. Genevieve underlies rolling and dissected karst areas.

Hydrology
The Ste. Genevieve yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from large solution openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate solution openings, but in areas high above perennial streams these solution openings are dry in late summer and fall, and many wells are inadequate. Wells that do not intersect karst conduits generally are inadequate for domestic use. Springs having low flows ranging from less than 10 gallons per minute to more than 1,500 gallons per minute occur at or near stream level. Smaller springs discharge from perched water bodies in upland areas, but many go dry during late summer and fall.

St. Louis Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The St. Louis underlies rolling karst areas, but commonly has less relief than karst in areas underlain by the Ste. Genevieve Limestone.

Hydrology
The St. Louis yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from large openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate some solution openings, but where high above perennial streams, yields are often inadequate for domestic supply. Yields of wells close to major streams are large where solution openings are penetrated, but most wells near major streams are inadequate. A major spring horizon has many springs flowing several hundred to several thousand gallons a minute.

Salem and Warsaw Formations (Msh)
Topography
These formations underlie gently rolling uplands. They form steep bluffs where the limestone overlies rocks of Osagean age.

Hydrology
These formations yield enough water for a domestic supply where solution openings are penetrated close to perennial stream level. Wells than penetrate large solution openings may produce more than 5 gallons per minute. A minor spring horizon occurs in the upper part and at the contact of the limestone with the underlying siltstone.

Fort Payne Formation (Mbf)
Topography
The Fort Payne underlies dissected rolling uplands. It forms steep valley sides in maturely dissected topography. Small valleys are steep and V-shaped. Siltstone and chert form discontinuous ledges on hillsides.

Hydrology
Wells in lowland areas close to streams produce enough water for a domestic supply and may produce more than 5 gallons per minute from solution openings. Most wells obtain water from perched or semiperched water bodies supported by discontinuous shale layers, and many are dry during late summer and fall. Minor spring horizons occur throughout the formation. Flows are as much as 30 gallons per minute, but most are seasonal. Where shale layers are conspicuous, most wells are inadequate for domestic use. Where chert layers are thick and extensive in area, yields of more than 5 gallons per minute may be obtained.

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"