Henderson County, Kentucky


Transportation

Ohio River and CSX Railroad Bridge

The Ohio River and the CSX railroad system are two major modes of transportation used by industry in Henderson County. The picture was taken just south of the boat ramp located in downtown Henderson.

 


Resources

Oil Well "Pump Jack"

This "pump jack" is located in the Ohio River floodplain and is constructed on stilts to avoid flooding, which is common during the spring months. Approximately 3,000 producing oil and gas wells have been completed in Henderson County.

Since 1820, over 60 million tons of coal have been mined in Henderson County, about 2/3 coming from underground mines and 1/3 from surface mines. Nearly 2.4 million tons were mined in 2001, slightly over half coming from underground mines.


The Land

Flat lowlands and rolling uplands

Flat lowlands and rolling uplands are the two dominant physiographic features in Henderson County. This photograph illustrates the dramatic physiographic changes that are common in Henderson County.

Flat lowlands, on the right side of the picture, are associated with Ohio River flood deposits. The lowlands are used extensively for cropland. Because of seasonal flooding, land use on these lowlands may be restricted.

Rolling uplands, on the left side of the picture, are associated with eroded loess deposits and are used for cropland, pastureland, and residential and commercial development.

Cypress Swamp

This cypress swamp, located just north of the John James Audubon State Park, is an example of how varied the ecology is in Henderson County. The swamp lies within the Wabash - Ohio Bottomlands, which covers the northern portion of Henderson County along the Ohio River. (Woods and others, 2002).


Hazards

Surface Water Drainage

Because of the large percentage of flat to gently sloping areas associated with the Ohio and Green Rivers, development, such as subdivisions, can cause flooding if proper drainage designs are not implemented as part of the planning and development process. Watersheds can also be impaired from improper sewage treatment and urban and industrial runoff.

 

Soil Piping

Soil piping is a term used to describe the removal of soil by subsurface water. When the soil is removed, small to large holes form, which may occur along linear paths as seen in the above picture.

 

Flooding

Above: Flood at Beals Station and Railroad Crossing on January 30, 1937.

Below: Same location on February 11, 1937. The white building in the background was Edgar Simmons Store. This building is still in use today as Cagey's Store in Beals, Kentucky.

Photographs courtesy of the Henderson County Historical Society.

 

Geologic Hazards

There are five concealed faults located in Henderson County. Four of the faults are located in the northwestern part and one in the southeastern part of the county. The two northwestern faults may be part of the Wabash Seismic Zone, which is considered to be active.

Soil creep, slumps, and landslides occurring along steep slopes may occur from erosion or strong ground motion associated with an earthquake. Areas associated with alluvium material are subject to liquifaction during a strong earthquake event. These areas are also subject to flooding. Soil piping, which may occur in various soil types, produces small to large holes if left untreated. Soils derived from alluvium deposits have a moderate to high shrink swell capacity, which may affect structural foundations and roads.

It is important to know the location of abandoned deep-coal mines because of the possibility of mine subsidence. 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. Active deep mines and strip mines are not shown.


References

Carey, D.I., and Stickney, J.F., 2001, Ground-water resources of Henderson County, Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey Open-File Report OF-01-51, 16 p.

Converse, H.T., Jr., and Cox, F.R., Jr., 1967, Soil survey of Henderson County, Kentucky: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 108 p.

Solis, M.P., Greb, S.F., and Anderson, W.H., 2003, Geologic map of the Evansville 30 x 60 minute quadrangle: Kentucky Geological Survey, ser. 12, Geologic Map 1, scale 1:100,000.

Woods, A.J., Omernik, J.M., Martin, W.H., Pond, G.J., Andrews, W.M., Call, S.M., Comstock, J.A., and Taylor, D.D., 2002, Ecoregions of Kentucky (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs): Reston, VA., U.S. Geological Survey (map scale 1:1,000,000).


Copyright 2003 by the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Geological Survey. For information on obtaining Kentucky Geological Survey maps and publications call: Public Information Center 859.257.3896. 877.778.7827 (toll free). View the KGS World Wide Web site at: www.uky.edu/kgs