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Characterization of Hydraulic Conductivity in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field

Contact: Jim Dinger

The amount of water that can flow through a rock unit (hydraulic conductivity) varies dramatically in eastern Kentucky, making the prediction of groundwater occurrence and movement difficult. This hinders efforts to remove water from mines, prevent landslides caused by leaking coal barriers, predict or track how contaminants are transported, and locate water-supply wells. Various projects at the Kentucky Geological Survey have generated hydraulic conductivity data. Indications are that fractured rock and coal seams are an average of 10 to 100 times more conductive than other rock types. A summary database is not yet developed, but the following references contain appropriate hydraulic conductivity data.

Summary data for the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field can be found in the following publications:

• Andrews, R.E., 2002, Evaluating fracture flow solutions to analyze aquifer test data collected from wells in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field: Lexington, University of Kentucky, master's thesis, 264p.
• Davis, R.W., 1987, Movement of ground water in coal-bearing rocks near Fishtrap Lake in Pike County, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigation Report 87-4084, 24p.
• Kipp, J.A., and Dinger, J.S., 1987, Stress-relief fracture control of groundwater movement in the Appalachian Plateaus: Focus Conference on Eastern Regional Ground-Water Issues, National Water Well Association, July 15, 1987, Burlington, Vermont, p. 423-438.
• Minns, S.A., 1993, Conceptual model of local and regional ground-water flow in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 11, Thesis Series 6, 194 p.
• Wunsch, D.R., 1993, Ground-water geochemistry and its relationship to the flow system at an unmined site in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 11, Thesis Series 5, 128 p.
  

Data for the Appalachian Coal Field in Virginia can be found in:

• Harlow, G.E., Jr., and LeCain, G.D., 1991, Hydraulic characteristics of, and groundwater flow in, coal-bearing rocks of southwestern Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 91-250, 48 p.