This data is designed for regional and preliminary hydrologic investigations. Features such as springs and swallets are much too small to precisely locate on maps with a scale small enough to show regional relationships. The user is referred to the literature for detailed site descriptions. The information used to compile this GIS data was obtained by numerous investigators over the last 25 years. The underflow spring draining a ground-water basin is assigned a unique identification number, referred to as the AKGWA number (Assembled Kentucky Ground Water Database). Individual basins are identified by the underflow spring name and AKGWA number. The authors of tracer data are identified by number in the "Data Source" column of the key, and are listed in "References Cited" in order of publication or research date.
Although ground-water flow routes shown here have been established by tracer studies, with the exception of mapped cave streams, the precise flow paths are unknown and are inferred or interpreted using water-level data, geologic structure, or surface features. The locations of some ground-water basins are inferred, based on the existence of a significant spring system and the delineation of adjacent basins. The position of ground-water basin boundaries should be considered approximate because of the small-scale source and because boundaries can shift during high-water conditions. Also, excess flow may exit or enter a basin via surface or subsurface overflow routes. Additional overflow routes probably exist. Although most of the results of ground-water tracing were obtained during moderate- or high-flow conditions, the ground-water basins are illustrated in base flow because base flow is the most common flow condition. The main spring draining the basin is assumed to be an underflow spring that preferentially drains base flow. Overflow springs discharge during high flow.1 Generally, names of ground-water basins are derived from these main springs. Not all additional springs are included in the data set. DISCLAIMER: This data is subject to revision upon receipt of new hydrologic data. This data was compiled for the Beaver Dam, Campbellsville, Somerset, Harrodsburg, Bowling Green, and Lexington U.S.G.S. 1:100,000 map areas. Karst ground-water basins at the edges of these maps may be truncated in the data set if the border was at an area not on one of these maps. The user should consult the "References Cited" for additional information. 1Worthington, S.R.H., 1991, Karst hydrogeology of the Canadian Rocky Mountains: Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster University, Ph.D. dissertation, 380 p.