Allen County, Kentucky - Kentucky Geological Survey

Generalized Geologic Map
for
Land-Use Planning:
Allen County, Kentucky
Mineral Resources
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About 3,200 people in Allen County rely on private domestic
water supplies: about 1,800 use wells and 1,400 use other
sources. About three-quarters of the wells drilled in the uplands
of northwestern Allen County, and the lowlands of the southern
reaches of Trammel Creek, Barren River, and its major
tributaries, yield enough water for a domestic supply; some
wells penetrating large solution channels, which are common in
limestone-rich areas such as Allen County, yield as much as 50
gallons per minute. In about 80 percent of the county, however,
most wells are inadequate for domestic use. Numerous springs
in the county have flows ranging from a few gallons per minute
to as high as 20,000 gallons per minute, predominantly in the
limestone beds along the Barren River and its tributaries. For
more information on groundwater in the county, see Carey and
Stickney (2002).
7.5-Minute Quadrangle
Map Index
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Mount
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Dams should be constructed of compacted clayey soils at slopes flatter
than three units horizontal to one unit vertical. Ponds with dam heights
exceeding 25 feet, or pond volumes exceeding 50 acre-feet, require
permits. Contact the Kentucky Division of Water, 14 Reilly Rd., Frankfort,
KY 40601, telephone: 502.564.3410. Illustration by Paul Howell, U.S.
Department of Agriculture—Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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The black shale of unit 4 contains enough organic matter to burn. It is unstable on slopes, breaks down quickly when exposed, and may swell when
wet and shrink when dry. Photo by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological Survey.
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For Planning Use Only
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The terms "earth" and "rock" excavation are used in the engineering sense; earth can be excavated by hand tools, whereas rock requires heavy
equipment or blasting to remove.
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View the KGS World Wide Web site at: www.uky.edu/kgs
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FOUNDATION AND EXCAVATION
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LAND-USE PLANNING TABLE DEFINITIONS
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For information on obtaining copies of this map and other Kentucky Geological
Survey maps and publications call our Public Information Center at 859.257.3896
or 877.778.7827 (toll free)
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Copyright 2007 by the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Geological Survey
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www.allencountykentucky.com/ Allen County
www.scottsvilleky.info/ Scottsville–Allen County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.allenkybees.com Allen County Beekeepers Association
ces.ca.uky.edu/barren/ University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
www.bradd.org/ Barren River Area Development District
www.thinkkentucky.com/edis/cmnty/cw/cw063/ Kentucky Economic Development Information System
www.uky.edu/KentuckyAtlas/21003.html Kentucky Atlas and Gazetteer, Allen County
quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21003.html U.S. census data
kgsweb.uky.edu/download/kgsplanning.htm Planning information from the Kentucky Geological Survey
0
1 inch = 1 mile
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Listed below are Web sites for several agencies and organizations that may be of assistance with land use planning issues in Allen County:
LK
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1:63,360
Additional Resources
Successful pond construction must prevent water from seeping through
structured soils into limestone solution channels below. A compacted clay
liner or artificial liner may prevent pond failure. Getting the basin filled with
water as soon as possible after construction prevents drying and cracking,
and possible leakage, of the clayey soil liner. Ponds constructed in dry
weather are more apt to leak than ponds constructed in wet weather. A
geotechnical engineer or geologist should be consulted regarding the
requirements of a specific site. Other leakage prevention measures
include synthetic liners, bentonite, and asphaltic emulsions. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture—Natural Resources Conservation Service can
provide guidance on the application of these liners to new construction,
and for treatment of existing leaking ponds.
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Geology adapted from Johnson (2003a-c, 2004), Johnson and Thompson (2003), Mullins (2003a-d),
Thompson (2003a, b), Toth (2003), and Smith (2004). Thanks to Paul Howell, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, for pond construction illustration. Mapped
sinkhole data from Paylor and others (2004). Thanks to Brandon Nuttall, Kentucky Geological Survey,
for oil and gas history. Thanks to Kim and Kent Anness, Kentucky Division of Geographic Information,
for base-map data.
References Cited
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Barren River Lake provides for boating, water sports, fishing, and a variety of outdoor activities.
Homesites near the lake are provided with spectacular views (below). The lake is also the water source for the Scottsville Water Department. Photos by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological
Survey.
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unit 9. Photo by Dan Carey, Kentucky
Geological Survey.
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– Never use sinkholes as dumps. All waste, but especially pesticides, paints,
household chemicals, automobile batteries, and used motor oil, should be
taken to an appropriate recycling center or landfill.
– Make sure runoff from parking lots, streets, and other urban areas is routed
through a detention basin and sediment trap to filter it before it flows into a
sinkhole.
– Make sure your home septic system is working properly and that it's not
discharging sewage into a crevice or sinkhole.
– Keep cattle and other livestock out of sinkholes and sinking streams. There are
other methods of providing water to livestock.
– See to it that sinkholes near or in crop fields are bordered with trees, shrubs, or
grass buffer strips. This will filter runoff flowing into sinkholes and also keep
tilled areas away from sinkholes.
– Construct waste-holding lagoons in karst areas carefully, to prevent the bottom
of the lagoon from collapsing, which would result in a catastrophic emptying of
waste into the groundwater.
– If required, develop a groundwater protection plan (410KAR5:037) or an
agricultural water-quality plan (KRS224.71) for your land use.
(From Currens, 2001)
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Rocks of unit 3 are exposed at this roadcut on Ky. 100 near the Barren
River. Water that penetrates cracks in the limestone and dolomite (left)
dissolves the rock and makes larger openings. Shale layers within the
unit break down quickly when exposed. The topography of unit 3 is
generally more rugged than unit 2, and is characterized by steep,
wooded hillsides with level ridgetops (upper left) or steep hillsides
along streams. Photos by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological Survey.
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Radon gas can be a local problem, in some areas exceeding the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's maximum recommended limit of 4 picocuries per liter. The shales
of unit 4 and limestones of unit 2, in particular, may contain high levels of uranium or
radium, parent materials for radon gas. Homes in these areas should be tested for
radon, but the homeowner should keep in mind that the threat to health results from
relatively high levels of exposure over long periods, and the remedy may simply be
additional ventilation of the home.
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Karst Geology
The term "karst" refers to a landscape characterized by sinkholes, springs,
sinking streams (streams that disappear underground), and underground
drainage through solution-enlarged conduits or caves. Karst landscapes form
when slightly acidic water from rain and snowmelt seeps through soil cover into
fractured and soluble bedrock (usually limestone, dolomite, or gypsum).
Sinkholes are depressions on the land surface into which water drains
underground. Usually circular and often funnel-shaped, they range in size from a
few feet to hundreds of feet in diameter. Springs occur when water emerges from
underground to become surface water. Caves are solution-enlarged fractures or
conduits large enough for a person to enter.
Shaly Dolomite, Siltstone, Limestone, Dolomite, and Shale (Unit 3)
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Public lands
American Institute of Professional Geologists, 1993, The citizens’ guide to geologic hazards: 134 p.
Barton, A.J., 1989, Soil survey of Allen County, Kentucky: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 110 p.
Carey, D.I., and Stickney, J.F., 2002, Groundwater resources of Allen County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12,
County Report 2, www.uky.edu/KGS/water/library/gwatlas/Allen/Allen.htm [accessed 1/23/07].
Currens, J.C., 2001, Protect Kentucky's karst aquifers from nonpoint-source pollution: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Map and
Chart 27, 1 sheet.
Johnson, T.L., 2003a, Spatial database of the Holland quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12,
Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-174. Adapted from Nelson, W.H., 1962, Geology of the Holland
quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-174, scale 1:24,000.
Johnson, T.L., 2003b, Spatial database of the Petroleum quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12,
Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-352. Adapted from Myers, W.B., 1964, Geology of the Petroleum
quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-352, scale 1:24,000.
Johnson, T.L., 2003c, Spatial database of the Scottsville quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally
Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-184. Adapted from Ketner, K.B., 1962, Geology of the Scottsville quadrangle,
Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-184, scale 1:24,000.
Johnson, T.L., 2004, Spatial database of the Fountain Run quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12,
Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-254. Adapted from Hamilton, W., 1963, Geology of the Fountain Run
quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-254, scale 1:24,000.
Johnson, T.L., and Thompson, M.F., 2003, Spatial database of the Austin quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser.
12, Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-173. Adapted from Moore, S.L., 1961, Geology of the Austin
quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-173, scale 1:24,000.
Mullins, J.E., 2003a, Spatial database of the Adolphus quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12,
Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-299. Adapted from Nelson, W.H., 1964, Geology of the Adolphus
quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-299, scale 1:24,000.
Mullins, J.E., 2003b, Spatial database of the Allen Springs quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally
Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-285. Adapted from Moore, S.L., 1963, Geology of the Allen Springs quadrangle,
Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-285, scale 1:24,000.
Mullins, J.E., 2003c, Spatial database of the Hickory Flat quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12,
Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-420. Adapted from Moore, S.L., 1965, Geology of the Hickory Flat
quadrangle, Kentucky-Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-420, scale 1:24,000.
Mullins, J.E., 2003d, Spatial database of the Lucas quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized
Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-251. Adapted from Haynes, D.D., 1963, Geology of the Lucas quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S.
Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-251, scale 1:24,000.
Paylor, R.L., Florea, L., Caudill, M., and Currens, J.C., 2004, A GIS coverage of karst sinkholes in Kentucky: Kentucky Geological
Survey, ser. 12, Digital Publication 5, 1 CD-ROM.
Smith, P.C., 2004, Spatial database of the Tracy quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized
Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-217. Adapted from Moore, S.L., 1963, Geology of the Tracy quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S.
Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-217, scale 1:24,000.
Thompson, M.F., 2003a, Spatial database of the Meador quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally
Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-288. Adapted from Nelson, W.H., 1963, Geology of the Meador quadrangle,
Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-288, scale 1:24,000.
Thompson, M.F., 2003b, Spatial database of the Polkville quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally
Vectorized Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-194. Adapted from Gildersleeve, B., 1962, Geology of the Polkville quadrangle,
Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-194, scale 1:24,000.
Toth, K.S., 2003, Spatial database of the Drake quadrangle, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Digitally Vectorized
Geologic Quadrangle Data DVGQ-277. Adapted from Moore, S.L., 1963, Geology of the Drake quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S.
Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-277, scale 1:24,000.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005, A citizen’s guide to radon: The guide to protecting yourself and your family from radon:
www.epa.gov/radon/citguide.html [accessed 6/11/07].
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003, National Wetlands Inventory, www.nwi.fws.gov [accessed 6/10/06].
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Alluvial valleys like this along the Barren River and other county
streams provide soils for agriculture. Potential drainage and flood
problems must be properly anticipated. Photo by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological Survey.
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Buttercups , standardbred horses, and goats greet the traveler in rural
Allen County on a sunny spring day. Photos by Dan Carey, Kentucky
Geological Survey.
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Source-water protection areas are those in which
activities are likely to affect the quality of the drinking-water source. For more information, see
kgsweb.uky.edu/download/water/swapp/swapp.htm.
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Founded in Scottsville in 1955 by J.L.
and Cal Turner, Sr., Dollar General (left)
now has over 8,000 stores in 35 states
and annual revenues of over $8 billion.
The J.M. Smucker Company (right) has
consistently been in Fortune magazine's
"100 Best Companies to Work For," and
in 2003 was named number one. Photos
by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological
Survey.
800
Construction aggregate and agricultural lime are produced from the Warsaw Formation (unit 2)
at the Allen County Quarry. Photo by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological Survey.
Allen County, an area of 346 square miles in the Pennyrile Region,
was formed in 1815. The topography is undulating to rough. The
estimated 2006 population of 18,788 was 5.6 percent greater than
that of 2000. Photo by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological Survey.
Limestone terrain can be subject to
subsidence hazards, which usually can
be overcome by prior planning and site
evaluation. "A" shows construction
above an open cavern, which later
collapses. This is one of the most
difficult situations to detect, and the
possibility of this situation beneath a
structure warrants insurance protection
for homes built on karst terrain. In "B," a
heavy structure presumed to lie above
solid bedrock actually is partially
supported on soft, residual clay soils
that subside gradually, resulting in
damage to the structure. This occurs
where inadequate site evaluation can be
traced to lack of geophysical studies
and inadequate core sampling. "C" and
"D" show the close relationship between
hydrology and subsidence hazards in
limestone terrain. In "C," the house is
situated on porous fill (light shading) at a
site where surface- and groundwater
drainage move supporting soil (darker
shading) into voids in limestone (blocks)
below. The natural process is then
accelerated by infiltration through fill
around the home. "D" shows a karst site
where normal rainfall is absorbed by
subsurface conduits, but water from
infrequent heavy storms cannot be
carried away quickly enough to prevent
flooding of low-lying areas. Adapted
from AIPG (1993).
Limestone of unit 2 provides soils for a
strong agriculture. Tobacco plays a
continuing but diminishing role. The
terrain of unit 2 is gently rolling to hilly.
Limestone and shale in the unit are exposed in a roadcut on U.S. 31E (right).
Photos by Dan Carey, Kentucky Geological Survey.
Daniel I. Carey
Druggists from Bowling Green were collecting oil from local surface
seeps along Trammel Fork and shipping it to Pittsburgh, Pa., before
1850. The earliest wells were drilled between 1866 and 1867; most
oil was shipped to Louisville or St. Louis, Mo., for refining. The
county has produced 8.9 million barrels of oil since 1919. Photo by
Dan Carey, Kentucky Geologic Survey.
Construction on Karst
Limestone and Shale (Unit 2)
Allen County Courthouse at Scottsville
Oil and Gas
800
James C. Cobb, State Geologist and Director
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, LEXINGTON
SC
VI OT
LL TS
E -
Kentucky Geological Survey
This map is not intended to be used for selecting individual sites. Its purpose is to inform land-use
planners, government officials, and the public in a general way about geologic bedrock conditions that
affect the selection of sites for various purposes. The properties of thick soils may supersede those of
the underlying bedrock and should be considered on a site-to-site basis. At any site, it is important to
understand the characteristics of both the soils and the underlying rock. For further assistance, contact
the Kentucky Geological Survey, 859.257.5500. For more information, visit the KGS Community
Development Planning Web Site at kgsweb.uky.edu/download/kgsplanning.htm.
LIMITATIONS
Slight—A slight limitation is one that commonly requires some corrective measure but can be overcome without a great deal of difficulty or
expense.
ALLEN
COUNTY
Moderate—A moderate limitation is one that can normally be overcome but the difficulty and expense are great enough that completing the project
is commonly a question of feasibility.
Planning Guidance by Rock Unit Type
Rock Unit
Severe—A severe limitation is one that is difficult to overcome and commonly is not feasible because of the expense involved.
LAND USES
Septic tank disposal system—A septic tank disposal system consists of a septic tank and a filter field. The filter field is a subsurface tile system
laid in such a way that effluent from the septic tank is distributed with reasonable uniformity into the soil.
-90°
-89°
Geology of Kentucky
-88°
-87°
-86°
0
20
LEGEND
ALLUVIUM: silt, clay, sand, gravel
TERTIARY/CRETACEOUS: sand, clay
PENNSYLVANIAN: shale, sandstone, coal
MISSISSIPPIAN: shale, limestone, sandstone
DEVONIAN: shale, limestone
SILURIAN: dolomite, shale
ORDOVICIAN: limestone, shale
39°
-85°
40
38°
-83°
-82°
Highways and streets—Refers to paved roads in which cuts and fills are made in hilly topography, and considerable work is done preparing
subgrades and bases before the surface is applied.
80 Miles
Covington
39°
"
Ashland
"
Louisville
Faults
-84°
Residences—Ratings are made for residences with basements because the degree of limitation is dependent upon ease and required depth of
excavation. For example, excavation in limestone has greater limitation than excavation in shale for a house with a basement.
"
Frankfort
"
38°
Lexington
"
Owensboro
"
Somerset
Corbin
"
"
37°
"
Bowling Green
"
"
"
Middlesboro
36°
36°
-89°
Access roads—These are low-cost roads, driveways, etc., usually surfaced with crushed stone or a thin layer of blacktop. A minimum of cuts and
fills are made, little work is done preparing a subgrade, and generally only a thin base is used. The degree of limitation is based on year-around use
and would be less severe if not used during the winter and early spring. Some types of recreation areas would not be used during these seasons.
Light industry and malls—Ratings are based on developments having structures or equivalent load limit requirements of three stories or less, and
large paved areas for parking lots. Structures with greater load limit requirements would normally need footings in solid rock, and the rock would
need to be core drilled to determine the presence of caverns, cracks, etc.
-88°
-87°
-86°
-85°
-84°
-83°
Learn more about Kentucky geology at www.uky.edu/KGS/geoky/
Extensive recreation—Camp sites, picnic areas, parks, etc.
Reservoir areas—The floor of the area where the water is impounded. Ratings are based on the permeability of the rock.
Hopkinsville
-90°
2. Limestone,
siltstone,
and shale
3. Shaly dolomite,
siltstone, limestone, dolomite,
and shale
-82°
Reservoir embankments—The rocks are rated on limitations for embankment material.
Underground utilities—Included in this group are sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains, and other pipes that require fairly deep trenches.
4. Shale
Septic
System
Residence
with
Basement
Highways
and
Streets
Access
Roads
Light Industry
and Malls
Intensive
Recreation
Extensive
Recreation
Reservoir
Areas
Reservoir
Embankments
Underground
Utilities
Fair foundation material; Severe limitations.
Failed septic systems
easy to excavate.
can contaminate
groundwater. Refer to
soil report (Barton,
1989).
Water in alluvium may
be in direct contact
with basements.
Refer to soil report
(Barton, 1989).
Slight limitations.
Refer to soil report
(Barton, 1989).
Slight to moderate
limitations. Refer to
soil report (Barton,
1989).
Slight to moderate
limitations. Avoid
construction in floodplain. Refer to soil
report (Barton, 1989).
Refer to soil report
(Barton, 1989).
Refer to soil report
(Barton, 1989).
Refer to soil report
(Barton, 1989).
Not recommended.
Refer to soil report
(Barton, 1989).
Not recommended.
Refer to soil report
(Barton, 1989).
Excellent foundation
material; difficult to
excavate.
Severe limitations.
Impermeable rock.
Locally fast drainage
through fractures and
sinks. Danger of
groundwater contamination.
Severe to moderate
limitations. Rock
excavation; locally,
upper few feet may
be rippable. Sinks
common. Drainage
required.
Slight to moderate
limitations. Rock
excavation; locally,
upper few feet may
be rippable. Sinks
possible. Drainage
required.
Slight limitations.
Local drainage
problems from
seeps or springs.
Sinks possible.
Slight to moderate
limitations, depending
on topography. Rock
excavation; locally,
upper few feet may be
rippable. Sinks common.
Local drainage
problems.
Slight to moderate
limitations, depending
on activity and
topography.
Slight to moderate
limitations, depending
on activity and
topography.
Severe limitations.
Leaky reservoir rock;
locally, conditions
may be favorable.
Sinks possible.
Severe limitations.
Severe limitations.
Rock excavation.
Good to excellent
foundation material;
difficult to excavate.
Severe limitations.
Impermeable rock.
Locally fast drainage
through fractures and
sinks. Danger of
groundwater contamination.
Severe limitations.
Rock excavation
may be required.
Steep slopes along
major drainages.
Severe limitations.
Rock excavation.
Possible steep
slopes.
Severe to moderate
limitations. Rock excavation. Possible
steep slopes.
Slight to moderate
limitations, depending
on topography. Rock
excavation. Sinks
possible. Local drainage problems.
Slight to severe limitations, depending on
activity and topography.
Slight to severe limitations, depending
on activity and
topography.
Moderate to slight
limitations. Reservoir
might leak where
rocks are fractured.
Moderate to slight
limitations. Reservoir
might leak where
rocks are fractured.
Severe limitations.
Rock excavation.
Fair to poor foundation
material; easy to
moderately difficult to
excavate. Possible
expansion of shales.
Plastic clay is particularly poor foundation.
Severe limitations.
Low permeability.
Severe limitations.
Low strength, slumping, and seepage
problems. Possible
shrinking and swelling
of shales.
Moderate to severe
limitations, depending
on slopes. Strength,
slumping, and seepage problems.
Moderate to severe
limitations, depending
on slopes. Strength,
slumping, and seepage problems.
Moderate to severe
limitations, depending
on slopes. Strength,
slumping, and seepage problems.
Slight to severe limitations, depending on
activity and topography.
Strength, slumping, and
seepage problems.
Slight to moderate
limitations, depending
on activity and
topography.
Slight limitations.
Reservoir may leak
where rocks are
fractured. Most
ponds on shale
are successful.
Severe limitations.
Poor strength and
stability.
Moderate limitations.
Poor strength, wetness.
Intensive recreation—Athletic fields, stadiums, etc.
Paducah
37°
1. Clay, silt, sand,
and gravel
(alluvium)
Foundation
and
Excavation