McLean County, Kentucky

Agriculture

Agriculture is a major part of the McLean County economy. According to the 2002-2003 Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Service 129,175 acres (79 percent) of the 164,045 acres available were planted in corn, soybeans and tobacco. Photograph by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.

There are approximately 340 chicken houses in McLean County. Each house holds 5 to 6 flocks per year. One flock equals about 27,000 birds. Chicken litter associated with these operations is used as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers on row crop fields. Proper nutrient management is extremely important to ensure that local soil and water resources are not impaired. Photograph by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.

The Perdue grain elevator and poultry feed mill located at Livermore, Kentucky. Photograph by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.

Wood Products

Twin Rivers, Inc. is a manufacturer of high quality hardwood furniture. This facility is located in Livermore, which is historically known for the manufacturing of hardwood furniture. Photograph by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.

Along with row crop agriculture, harvesting hardwood trees for furniture and pulp is a sustainable land use in McLean County. Photograph by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.

Water Resources

The Green River Lock and Dam No. 2 located at Calhoun, Kentucky. The Green River is the major drinking water supply for the residents of McLean County. Groundwater is also used by rural residents for drinking water. Photograph by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.

Source Water Protection

Source-water protection areas are areas 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.

Groundwater

In McLean County, most wells less than 300 feet deep are adequate for a domestic supply.

Wells located in the Green River floodplain can produce as much as 100 gallons of hard water per minute. In a thin, highly faulted zone running east-west across the county, between the towns of Beach Grove and Nuckols, yields to drilled wells are unpredictable because of faulting.

Generally, groundwater is hard, to very hard and iron and salt may be present in objectionable amounts. Groundwater often becomes saltier with depth. For more information on groundwater in the county, see Carey and Stickney (2001).

Geologic Hazards

The most prominent geologic hazard for McLean County is flooding. Areas underlain by alluvium are subject to regular flooding. Urban development often exacerbates flooding, and therefore potential flooding should always be considered in urban development plans. Areas of steep-walled drainage, such as that formed in terrain underlain by sandstone, shale, and limestone, are conducive to flash flooding, especially in developed areas. Flood information is available from the Kentucky Division of Water, Flood Plain Management Branch (www.water.ky.gov/floods/).

None of the faults in McLean County are considered to be active; however, the proximity of active seismic zones, such as the New Madrid, Wabash, or East Tennessee, calls for precautions to be taken for earthquake damage mitigation. The presence of thick alluvium, which normally has a high water table, should also be treated with special concern, because of the possibility of augmented shaking and liquefaction during a strong earthquake. In addition, alluvium often contains high amounts of clay minerals, which can give a soil a high shrink/swell capacity.

Steep slopes are present, especially along streams in areas underlain by sandstone, shale, and limestone throughout the county. Steep slopes can develop soil creep and landslides if not properly treated during development. Proper engineering techniques should be followed when developing on hillsides, and care should be taken not to affect property above and below a development site on a hillside.

Several small underground coal mines are in McLean County. The locations of known mine workings, shafts, and adits are shown on the map. Precautions need to be taken when developing over old mined areas, because of the possibility of mine subsidence. Mine subsidence insurance is available in Kentucky.

Surface coal mine areas are prone to settling after reclamation, which may affect structural foundations and roads. Surface mine areas also lack soil structure, which inhibits the growth of vegetation during summer months. Abandoned deep and surface mine boundaries shown on the map are approximate and do not represent all the mining that has occurred in the county.

Topography

The topography of McLean County ranges from flat broad lowlands to very steep sloped uplands. The elevation ranges from approximately 610 feet to 370 feet above mean sea level. Photograph by Glynn Beck, Kentucky Geological Survey.