Alluvium (Qa), Glacial Sediments
(Qg)
Topography
These unconsolidated materials form terraces and floodplains along the
Ohio River and tributaries. Valley-train deposits in terraces occur along
the Ohio River.
Hydrology
The unconsolidated material may yield several hundred gallons per minute
to drilled wells in alluvium in the Ohio River valley, and as much as
5,000 gallons per minute to compound horizontal wells. Nearly all wells
furnish more than 500 gallons per day. Alluvium in stream valleys tributary
to the Ohio River is fine grained and thin; most wells in alluvium do
not yield enough for domestic use. Water is hard to very hard and may
contain objectionable amounts of iron.
Tradewater Formation (Pt)
Topography
The Tradewater underlies dissected uplands and ridgetops. Resistant
sandstone beds form cliffs.
Hydrology
The Tradewater generally yields only small quantities of water to wells.
It may yield enough water for a modern domestic supply to wells penetrating
a sufficient thickness of sandstone, but yields practically no water
from limestone and shale. Water is hard to very hard and low in dissolved
solids near the outcrop area, and becomes increasingly mineralized but
softer downdip to the west. Water from the lower part of the formation
generally contains objectionable amounts of iron.
Caseyville Formation (Pca)
Topography
The Caseyville underlies dissected uplands and ridgetops. Resistant
sandstone and conglomerate beds form cliffs.
Hydrology
Yields of 60 gallons per minute have been obtained from thick sandstone beds. The
Caseyville will yield enough water for a modern domestic supply to most
wells penetrating sandstone. At depth, the water becomes salty or may
have a high sodium bicarbonate content. Electric logs indicate that
moderately mineralized water may be obtained locally from this formation
at depths of 1,200 feet.
Buffalo Wallow Formation, Tar Springs Sandstone (Mcu)
Topography
These formations form gently rolling uplands and fairly steep slopes
adjacent to stream valleys. Sandstone lenses, some massive, form small
benches.
Hydrology
These rocks yield little or no water.
Glen Dean Limestone, Hardinsburg Sandstone (Mcl)
Topography
These rocks underlie dissected and gently rolling uplands. The Hardinsburg
Sandstone forms flat uplands and benches on hillsides.
Hydrology
These rocks yield little or no water; most wells in upland areas are
inadequate for domestic supply.
Golconda Formation (Haney Limestone, Big Clifty Sandstone, Beech
Creek Limestone Members) (Mcl)
Topography
The Golconda limestone underlies gently rolling to flat uplands, and
forms bluffs near heads of valleys. The Big Clifty Sandstone forms a
major escarpment (Dripping Springs Escarpment) several hundred feet
high. It also underlies gently rolling uplands.
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.
Girkin Formation (Reelsville Limestone, Sample Sandstone, Beaver
Bend and Paoli Limestone) (Mcl), Bethel Sandstone of the Mooretown Formation
(Mms)
Topography
The Girkin forms the lower part of the Dripping Springs Escarpment and
underlies rolling karst areas. It contains numerous large sinks into
which the overlying sandstone has collapsed. The Sample Sandstone forms
a small bench or “double step” in the Dripping Springs Escarpment
in Breckinridge County.
Hydrology
Most wells in the Girkin 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.
Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Mgl)
Topography
The Ste. Genevieve underlies rolling karst areas, greatly dissected
in places. It forms steep bluffs along the Ohio River.
Hydrology
The limestone 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 or near the contact with the underlying St. Louis Limestone. 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. It commonly has less relief
than karst in areas underlain by the Ste. Genevieve Limestone, but sinkholes
are steeper. The St. Louis forms steep bluffs along the Ohio River.
Hydrology
The limestone yields more than 50 gallons per minute to wells from large
openings in karst areas. Most wells penetrate some solution openings,
but in high areas 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. Many springs are used
for public and industrial water supplies.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic Atlas Series, published cooperatively
with the Kentucky Geological Survey, provides hydrologic information
for the entire state. Atlases for Breckinridge County are HA-33
and HA-72.
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