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Fluvial sedimentation in Kentucky

Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4152
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri834152

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Abstract

Covering periods 1942-45 and 1951-81, this report documents the characteristics of sediments being transported from 79 drainage areas within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and from eight stations on the main stem of the Ohio River. The drainage areas range in size from 0.67 square mile at Cane Branch near Parkers Lake to 40,330 square miles at Tennessee River near Paducah. Sediment yields and particle size of suspended and bed sediments are discussed by physiographic province. The Blue Grass had the highest average annual suspended-sediment yield for selected stations of 741 tons per square mile, and the Western Coal Field had the lowest with 197. The Eastern Coal Field had the broadest range of annual suspended-sediment yields. The range was from 25 tons per square mile at Helton Branch near Greenwood to 21,000 tons per square mile at Millers Creek near Phyllis. For selected stations bedload discharge was estimated to be 5 to 10 percent as much as the suspended-sediment discharge. Only three drainage areas had sediment yields that exceeded the average annual erosion rates for cultivated land in Kentucky of 9.93 tons per acre (6,355 tons per square mile). These three were in the Eastern Coal Field. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Flint, R., 1983, Fluvial sedimentation in Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4152, ix, 75 p. :ill., maps (some folded) ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri834152.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Fluvial sedimentation in Kentucky
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 83-4152
DOI 10.3133/wri834152
Year Published 1983
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description ix, 75 p. :ill., maps (some folded) ;28 cm.
Additional publication details