Karst GIS, Map, and Publication Resources
Downloadable KGS resources for karst mapping and geographic information systems:
“Karst Occurrence in Kentucky,” KGS Map and Chart 33 (series 12): digitized from 1:500,000-scale geologic map
- GIS shapefiles (zip file); metadata
- Printable PDF map
Sinkhole coverage for the karst areas of Kentucky (compiled by Kentucky Speleological Survey)
Karst groundwater basin maps: Beaver Dam, Campbellsville, Bowling Green, Lexington, Harrodsburg, and Somerset 30 x 60 minute quadrangles
- Beaver Dam printable PDF map
- Bowling Green printable PDF map
- Campbellsville printable PDF map
- Harrodsburg printable PDF map
- Lexington printable PDF map
- Somerset printable PDF map
- Tell City and part of the Jasper 30 x 60 minute quadrangles
- Somerset 30 x 60 minute quadrangle
- Elizabethtown 30 x 60 minute quadrangle
- Louisville 30 x 60 minute quadrangle
- Morehead 30 x 60 minute quadrangle
- Corbin 30 x 60 minute quadrangle
- Hopkinsville 30 x 60 minute quadrangle
“Inventory of Karst Springs of Fayette County,” KGS Map and Chart 28 (series 12)
Kentucky generalized karst block diagrams : KGS Map and Chart 15, 16, 17, and 18 (series 12)
- Western Pennyroyal printable PDF diagram
- Eastern Pennyroyal printable PDF diagram
- Inner Bluegrass printable PDF diagram
- Pine Mountain printable PDF diagram
“Protecting Kentucky's Karst Aquifers from Nonpoint-Source Pollution,” KGS Map and Chart 27 (series 12)
Karst-related KGS reports
- "Kentucky Is Karst Country: What You Should Know About Sinkholes and Springs” (Information Circular 4, series 12)
- “Mass Flux of Agricultural Nonpoint- Source Pollutants in a Conduit- Flow- Dominated Karst Aquifer, Logan County, Kentucky” (Report of Investigations 1, series 12)
- “Electrical Resistivity Studies in the Inner Bluegrass Karst Region, Kentucky” (Thesis 1, series 12)
- “Flooding of Sinking Creek Karst Area in Jessamine and Woodford Counties, Kentucky” (Report of Investigations 7, series 12)
- “Ordinance for the Control of Urban Development in Sinkhole Areas in the Blue Grass Karst Region, Lexington, Kentucky” (Report of Investigations 29, series 11)
- “Kentucky Geological Survey Procedures for Groundwater Tracing Using Fluorescent Dyes” (Information Circular 26, series 12)
Cave Information
The Kentucky Geological Survey does not maintain data on caves. For scientific, engineering, or cave surveying information, contact the Kentucky Speleological Survey, a nonprofit organization formed by cavers in 2000. For general caving and safety training, contact your local chapter of the National Speleological Society.