U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2006-1146 

In cooperation with the Louisville Water Company 

Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the 

Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, 

Kentucky 
Cover Photographs.

Top left—Checking water levels in observation well with graphical recorder, 1956. (Photograph from 

U.S. Geological Survey project files). 

Bottom right—Measuring water level in observation well, 2003. 

(Photograph by Christy Reuter, U.S. Geological Survey, September 2003).
Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the 

Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, 

Kentucky 

By Michael D. Unthank and Hugh L. Nelson Jr.

In cooperation with the Louisville Water Company

Open-File Report 2006-1146

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

P. Lynn Scarlett, Acting Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006

For product and ordering information:

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

For more information on the USGS--the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, 

natural hazards, and the environment:

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

Suggested citation:

Unthank, M.D., and Nelson, H.L. Jr., 2006, Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the 

Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1146, 60 p.

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................1

Previous Investigations........................................................................................................................3

Available Hydrogeologic Data .....................................................................................................................3

Alluvial Aquifer Observation-Well Network .....................................................................................3

Well Information Stored in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information 

System and the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository................................................3

Water Quality.........................................................................................................................................3

Aquifer Test Results and Aquifer Characteristics ...........................................................................9

Ground-Water Use................................................................................................................................9

Summary........................................................................................................................................................14

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................14

Figures

1. Map showing extent of study area with alluvial deposits highlighted and location 

of current observation-well network in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer 

at Louisville, Kentucky .................................................................................................................2

2a. Hydrographs showing water levels for wells measured quarterly in the observationwell network in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky .......4

2b. Hydrographs showing water levels for wells equipped with continuously recording 

pressure transducers in the observation-well network and the Ohio River, 

Louisville, Kentucky......................................................................................................................6

 3.-8. Maps showing:

3. Location of wells in the U.S. Geological Survey database for the northeast 

portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky....................................................7

4. Location of wells in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at 

Louisville, Kentucky, with water-quality data .................................................................8

5. Estimates of transmissivity from laboratory permeability-test results for 

selected wells in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at 

Louisville, Kentucky...........................................................................................................10

6. Drillers’ logs for selected wells in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer 

at Louisville, Kentucky ......................................................................................................11

7. Elevations of the bedrock surface beneath the northeast portion of the 

alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky...........................................................................12

8. Location of well fields and permitted ground-water pumpage 

in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.....................13
iv

Tables

1. Construction details, location, water levels, and period of record for wells in 

the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky, as stored 

in the U.S. Geological Survey Ground-Water Site-Inventory (GWSI) database ..............15

2. Construction details, location, and water levels for wells in the northeast 

portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky, as stored in the Kentucky 

Geological Survey Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository (KGDR) database...............17

3. Field and lab parameters for selected wells sampled in the northeast portion of 

the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky .............................................................................23

4. Concentrations of trace elements for selected wells sampled in the northeast 

portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky...........................................................35

5. Concentrations of major ions for selected wells sampled in the northeast portion 

of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.........................................................................37

6. Concentrations of nutrients and other constituents for selected wells sampled in 

the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky..................................41

7. Summary of pump test values for ground-water-quality properties and constituents 

for well 381652085420301...........................................................................................................49

8. Drillers’ log records, including layer description, thickness, and depth, for wells in 

the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky..................................57

Conversion Factors, Datum, and Abbreviations

Inch/Pound to SI

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

square foot (ft2) 929.0 square centimeter (cm2)

square foot (ft2) 0.09290 square meter (m2)

Volume

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L)

gallon (gal) 0.003785 cubic meter (m3)

gallon (gal) 3.785 cubic decimeter (dm3)

gallon per day per foot 

[(gal/d)/ft)]

0.00115 square meter per day (m2/d)

gallon per day per square 

foot [(gal/d)/ft2)]

0.0408 meter per day (m/d)

million gallons per day 

(Mgal/d)

0.04381 cubic meter per second 

(m3/s)
Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum 1927 (NAD 27).

Elevation, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 25°C).

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given in milligrams per liter (mg/L).

Abbreviations

CaCO3 – calcium carbonate

CBOD5 – carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand

ICP – inductively coupled plasma

KDOW – Kentucky Division of Water

KGDR – Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository

KWSC – Kentucky Water Science Center

LWC – Louisville Water Company

N - Nitrogen

NTU – nephelometric turbidity units

NWIS – Nation Water Information System

THM – trihalomethane

USGS – U.S. Geological Survey
vi

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Abstract

The hydrogeologic characteristics of the unconsolidated glacial outwash sand and gravel deposits that compose 

the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, 

Kentucky, indicate a prolific water-bearing formation with 

approximately 7 billion gallons of ground-water storage and 

an estimated sustainable yield of over 280 million gallons per 

day. This abundance of ground water and the need to properly 

develop and manage this resource has prompted many past 

investigations (since 1956), which have produced reports, 

maps, and data files covering a variety of topics relative to the 

movement, availability, and use of ground water in this area. 

These data have been compiled into a single report to assist in 

future development and use of the ground-water resources. 

Available ground-water data for the alluvial aquifer at 

Louisville, Kentucky, from Beargrass Creek to Harrods Creek, 

were compiled from the U.S. Geological Survey National 

Water Information System and the Kentucky Groundwater 

Data Repository. Data contained in these databases include 

ground-water well-construction details and historical groundwater levels, drillers’ logs, and water-quality information. 

Additional data and information were gathered from project 

files at the U.S. Geological Survey–Kentucky Water Science 

Center and files at the Louisville Water Company. Information 

contained in these files included data from area pumping tests 

describing aquifer characteristics and ground-water flow. 

Introduction

A large area of Louisville, Ky., lies within the alluvial 

valley of the Ohio River. The alluvium consists of unconsolidated glacial outwash sand and gravel deposits and forms a 

productive, spatially restricted aquifer that is hydraulically 

connected to the Ohio River. The northeast portion of the alluvium—a 6.4-mi reach running from Beargrass Creek upriver 

to Harrods Creek as shown in figure 1—is an especially prolific water-bearing formation with the total ground-water storage in the area estimated at 7 billion gal (Rorabaugh, 1956). 

This portion of the alluvium is approximately 3,000-ft wide 

at each end and tapers to a width of approximately 1,000 ft in 

the middle of the 6.4-mi. reach. The average thickness of the 

alluvial deposits is about 100 ft. Estimated sustainable water 

supplies, derived from induced flow from the Ohio River, 

range from 280 to 400 Mgal/d for this portion of the aquifer 

(Rorabaugh, 1956).

The purpose of this report is to summarize available data 

and information on the ground-water resources of the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Ky., since 

1956. Locations and a summary of the available water-level 

data for the current observation-well network, and information 

on wells in both the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) and the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository 

(KGDR) are included.

Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the 

Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, 

Kentucky 

By Michael D. Unthank and Hugh L. Nelson Jr.

Data describing current conditions of the ground-water 

system in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer also are 

included. Ground-water levels from a network of observation 

wells show recent trends in the flow system, and information 

from the Kentucky Division of Water–Groundwater Branch 

lists current permitted ground-water withdrawals in the area. 

The ground-water resources in the northeast portion of the 

alluvial aquifer at Louisville have long been the subject of intense 

research and investigation. Past investigations have produced 

reports, maps, and data files that cover a variety of topics relative 

to the movement, availability, and use of ground water in this area 

because of the abundance of ground water and the need to 

properly develop and manage this resource. No comprehensive 

assessment of existing hydrogeologic data for this portion of the 

alluvial aquifer has been done by the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) since 1956; hydrogeologic data collected since 1956 

have not been summarized or presented in a collective report until 

now. As water-resource managers plan for the future watersupply needs of the Louisville area, the USGS and the Louisville 

Water Company (LWC) recognized the need to compile, review, 

and update existing hydrogeologic data for the alluvial aquifer.

Purpose and Scope
Figure 1. Extent of study area with alluvial deposits highlighted and location of current observation-well network in the northeast portion of the 

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16

alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.

 Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky
Water-quality data are tabulated for wells in the study area 

with emphasis on sampling results from the pumping tests 

conducted at the LWC Zorn Avenue pump station. A summary of hydrogeologic characteristics for the alluvial deposits 

includes information from drillers’ logs, calculated transmissivities, and bedrock elevations.

Previous Investigations

Ground-water quantity and the origin, movement, and 

general quality of the ground-water resources of the alluvial 

deposits in the Louisville area were investigated by Hamilton (1944), Palmquist and Hall (1960), and Gallaher and 

Price (1966). Ground-water quantity, quality, and resource 

development with special emphasis on induced infiltration 

for the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer was studied 

by Rorabaugh (1956). Starn and Mull (1994) compiled an 

annotated bibliography of USGS reports on the ground-water 

resources and geohydrology of the Louisville area.

Available Hydrogeologic Data

A thorough attempt was made to compile published and 

unpublished data and identify all possible sources of information for the alluvial aquifer in the northeast portion of Louisville, Ky. The types of data compiled include water levels and 

well-construction details from the current USGS observationwell network and other area wells, water quality, aquifer-test 

results and aquifer characteristics, and ground-water use. 

Information and data were sought through personal contact 

with the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW), a number of 

individual consulting engineering firms, and several local past 

and present ground-water users in the study area. Additional 

data were compiled from the files of the USGS and the LWC; 

the KGDR was queried for all pertinent records on wells in the 

study area. 

Alluvial Aquifer Observation-Well Network

The locations of the wells in the current (2006) alluvial 

aquifer observation-well network are shown on figure 1. 

Well-construction details and dates of water-level monitoring 

for each well are included in table 1 (at back of report). This 

network of eight observation wells was reactivated in November 1997 to monitor ground-water levels for this portion of the 

alluvial aquifer. The continued operation and maintenance of 

the network is part of a cooperative data-collection program 

developed with the LWC. Water levels are measured at each 

well on a quarterly basis; two wells (wells 4 and 5 on fig. 1) 

are equipped with continuously recording pressure transducers 

set to record water levels and water temperature every 30 minutes. Quarterly water-level measurements and water-level and 

temperature data from the recording pressure transducers are 

stored in the USGS NWIS. Hydrographs of a subset of water 

level data for the alluvial aquifer observation-well network 

stored in NWIS are shown in figures 2a and b. Data for these 

wells are available online at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ky/nwis/

inventory.

Well Information Stored in the U.S. Geological 

Survey National Water Information System and 

the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository

Well-construction information and measured water 

levels in the alluvial aquifer that are stored in the USGS 

NWIS database are listed in table 1. Locations of listed wells 

are shown in figure 3. The USGS NWIS database contains 

a variety of data on ground-water conditions and wells in 

Kentucky as reported through data-collection activities and 

project investigations done over the years by USGS Kentucky 

Water Science Center (KWSC) personnel. Similarly, construction information and water levels stored in the KGDR are 

listed in table 2 (at back of report). The KGDR was initiated 

in 1990 by the Kentucky Geological Survey under a mandate 

from the Kentucky legislature. It was established to archive 

and disseminate ground-water data collected by State agencies, other organizations, and independent researchers. While 

data in the USGS NWIS database may be part of the KGDR, 

the KGDR contains many more entries that are not stored in 

the USGS NWIS database. Certified well drillers in Kentucky 

are required to submit to the KDOW well logs and descriptive 

schedules for wells they install. The KDOW, in turn, submits 

this information to the KGDR for archiving. Wells that are 

stored in both the USGS NWIS database and the KGDR are 

highlighted in table 2.

Water Quality

Numerous water-quality analyses for the alluvial aquifer 

are available for wells in the study area. Data are stored in 

the KGDR, project files at the USGS KWSC, and files at the 

LWC. The locations of 13 select wells with water-quality data 

are shown in figure 4. The majority of the water-quality data 

are single sample results for wells in the southwest section of 

the study area as shown in figure 4. Multiple sample results 

are available for a subset of wells that were sampled over time 

as part of extended aquifer tests. Data are listed by site and 

sample date in tables 3-6 (at back of report).

Detailed analyses were done on water samples from well 

381652085420301. This was the pumped well for the 1979-82 

and 1995-97 aquifer tests at the LWC Zorn Avenue Plant. 

Results of the water-quality sampling from these tests are summarized in table 7 (at back of report).

Available Hydrogeologic Data 
Water level, in feet below land surface Water level, in feet below land surface Water level, in feet below land surface

Water-level elevation, in feet Water-level elevation, in feet Water-level elevation, in feet

416

418

420

422

424

426

428

430

Oct-99

Jan-00

Apr-00

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

Oct-04 3.5

5.5

7.5

9.5

11.5

13.5

15.5

17.5

Well 381613085422801

416

418

420

422

424

426

428

430

Oct-99

Jan-00

Apr-00

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

Oct-04 5

7

9

11

13

15

17

19

Well 381648085421201

416

418

420

422

424

426

428

430

Oct-99

Jan-00

Apr-00

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

Oct-04 6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Well 381638085415801

Figure 2a. Water levels for wells measured quarterly in the observation-well network in the northeast 

portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.

 Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky
Water level, in feet below land surface Water level, in feet below land surface Water level, in feet below land surface

Water-level elevation, in feet Water-level elevation, in feet Water-level elevation, in feet

Figure 2a. Water levels for wells measured quarterly in the observation-well network in the northeast 

portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.—Continued

416

418

420

422

424

426

428

430

Oct-99

Jan-00

Apr-00

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

Oct-04 9

11

13

15

17

19

21

23

Well 381742085402001

416

418

420

422

424

426

428

430

Oct-99

Jan-00

Apr-00

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

Oct-04 26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

Well 381827085392401

416

418

420

422

424

426

428

430

Oct-99

Jan-00

Apr-00

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

Oct-04 8.5

10.5

12.5

14.5

16.5

18.5

20.5

22.5

 Well 381904085384801

Available Hydrogeologic Data 
418

420

422

424

426

428

430

432

434

Oct-99

Jan-00

Apr-00

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

 Well 381701085414002

Well 381653085413302

Ohio River at Louisville, KY

418

420

422

424

426

428

430

432

434

Oct-02

Nov-02

Dec-02

Jan-03

Feb-03

Mar-03

Apr-03

May-03

Jun-03

Jul-03

Aug-03

Sep-03

Well 381701085414002

Well 381653085413302

Ohio River at Louisville, KY

Figure 2b. Water levels for wells equipped with continuously recording pressure transducers in the observation-well 

network and the Ohio River, Louisville, Kentucky.

Water-level elevation, in feet Water-level elevation, in feet

 Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky
Figure 3. Location of wells in the U.S. Geological Survey database for the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16

Available Hydrogeologic Data 
Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16

Figure 4. Location of wells in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky, with water-quality data.

 Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky
Aquifer Test Results and Aquifer Characteristics

The most complete source of aquifer-test data for the 

alluvial aquifer is Rorabaugh (1956). In his report, Rorabaugh 

derived estimates of transmissibility (121,000 [(gal/d)/ft)]), 

distance to a line source (400 ft), and coefficient of storage 

(0.0003) for the outwash and river deposits (alluvium) from 

the aquifer tests that were run just downstream of the LWC 

intakes at Zorn Avenue. In addition to the values derived from 

the aquifer tests, estimates of transmissivity for the study area 

were determined from laboratory permeability tests of alluvial 

deposits collected from Rorabaugh’s 16 test-well installations. 

The locations of the wells and the associated transmissivity 

estimates are shown in figure 5. Based on the results from his 

investigations, Rorabaugh estimated the resource-development 

potential of the alluvial aquifer between Beargrass Creek and 

Harrods Creek to range from 280 to 400 Mgal/d, depending on 

ground-water temperature and the potential for pumped wells 

to induce flow from the river. While additional aquifer tests 

were done in the immediate area of Rorabaugh’s tests (USGS 

and LWC testing during 1979-82, and LWC testing during 

1995-97), aquifer characteristics were not calculated. Information and data from these tests are limited to the water-quality 

sampling results.

Physical descriptions of the alluvial deposits were compiled from drillers’ logs for selected wells in the study area. A 

summary of the logs is presented in table 8 (at back of report) 

and is shown on figure 6. 

Depth-to-bedrock contours were modified from map 

insets found in Price (1964) and are shown on figure 7.

Ground-Water Use

The quantity of ground water used throughout the study 

area is a small fraction of the total quantity available. Only 

nine of the wells included in this data compilation are currently (2006) being used or are planned to be used for commercial or industrial ground-water withdrawals. Seven of 

the nine wells currently are permitted to withdraw a total of 

3.64 Mgal/d, but their combined withdrawal is approximately 

0.60 Mgal/d. Two wells were recently installed in the study 

area, and operators are in the process of obtaining permits. 

Ground-water withdrawal permits are required for withdrawals 

greater than 10,000 gal/d; permits are issued by the KDOW.

Figure 8 shows the location, use, and permitted daily 

withdrawal volume for each permitted ground-water user. 

Available Hydrogeologic Data 
Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16

Figure 5. Estimates of transmissivity from laboratory permeability-test results for selected wells in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky. [M.I. Rorabaugh, unpub. data, 1947]

10 Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky
Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16

Figure 6. Drillers’ logs for selected wells in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.

Available Hydrogeologic Data 11
Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16

Figure 7. Elevations of the bedrock surface beneath the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.

12  Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky
Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16

Figure 8. Location of well fields and permitted ground-water pumpage in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky.

Available Hydrogeologic Data 13
Summary

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the 

Louisville Water Company, has reviewed and compiled 

existing hydrogeological data for the northeast portion of the 

alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky. Available groundwater data (since 1956) for the alluvial aquifer from Beargrass 

Creek to Harrods Creek were compiled from the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System and the 

Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository. Additional data and 

information were gathered and reviewed from project files at 

the U.S. Geological Survey–Kentucky Water Science Center 

and files at the Louisville Water Company. The types of data 

compiled include ground-water well locations and construction details, historical water levels, drillers’ logs, water-quality 

field parameters and laboratory analyses, and pumping-tests 

results. Current ground-water conditions are described by use 

of data from an active ground-water observation-well network 

and ground-water withdrawal information from the Kentucky 

Division of Water–Groundwater Branch.

Since 1956, investigations have produced reports, maps, 

and data files that cover a variety of topics related to the 

ground water in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at 

Louisville, Kentucky. These data were compiled into a single 

report to assist in future development and management of the 

ground-water resources in this prolific water-bearing formation.

References Cited

Gallaher, J.T., and Price, W.E., Jr., 1966, Hydrology of the 

alluvial deposits in the Ohio River Valley in Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1818, 80 p., 

21 figs.

Hamilton, D.K., 1944, Ground water in the bedrock beneath 

the glacial outwash in the Louisville area, Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report, 21 p., 4 figs.

Palmquist, W.N., Jr., and Hall, F.R., 1960, Availability of 

ground water in Bullitt, Jefferson, and Oldham Counties, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-22, scale 1:125,000, 3 sheets.

Price, W.E., Jr., 1964, Geology and hydrology of alluvial 

deposits along the Ohio River between Prospect and 

southwestern Louisville, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey 

Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-130, 2 sheets.

Rorabaugh, M.I., 1956, Ground water in northeastern Louisville, Kentucky, with reference to induced infiltration: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1360-B, 

p. 101-169.

Starn, J.J., and Mull, D.S., 1994, Annotated bibliography 

of selected references on ground-water resources and 

geohydrology of the Louisville area, Kentucky, 1944-93: 

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 94-75, 19 p

14  Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky
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Unthank and Nelson—Summary of Available Hydrogeologic Data for the Northeast Portion of the Alluvial Aquifer at 

Louisville, Kentucky—Open-File Report 2006-1146