Groundwater Datasets

This dataset provides the geographical locations of karst groundwater basins, groundwater flowpaths, and dye injection/recovery points in Kentucky. Dye tracing is a common method used for understanding groundwater movement. Dye is poured (or injected) into a sinking stream, well, sinkhole, or body of water, where it is carried down-gradient by flowing water. The locations at which dye is recovered (typically at artesian springs) indicates a connection from injection to recovery site. This connection is refered to as a groundwater flowpath. Conducting multiple dye traces across an area allows for the interpretation of regional groundwater flow by assessing where flowpaths either converge or remain distinct. Groundwater basin boundaries can then be delineated, however unlike surficial watersheds, karst groundwater basins may differ significantly due to variations in subsurface hydrogeologic configurations and conduit geometries. During periods of increased flow, flowpaths may shift or hybridize with other flowpaths, creating overlapping basins. This dataset can be used for understanding the general flow of karst groundwater but does not guarantee the absolute accuracy of groundwater flow or basin boundaries.

The Kentucky Lidar-derived Sinkhole Dataset provides a GIS-based inventory of sinkholes identified from high-resolution Lidar-derived digital elevation models (DEMs) across multiple counties in Kentucky. Sinkholes were primarily delineated by extracting surface depressions from 5 ft resolution DEMs and visually inspected to distinguish sinkholes from other depressions. Most DEMs used in the mapping were obtained through Kentucky's Elevation Data & Aerial Photography Program (https://kyfromabove.ky.gov/), while the initial mapping used Lidar acquired in 2009 through the Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium. Each mapped sinkhole is represented as a polygon and assigned a unique eight-digit identifier. The dataset also provides the latitude and longitude, surface area, county, identification method, and field-verification status for each feature. As of 2026, this dataset covers 43 counties. Additional counties may be added in the future when they become available.

This ArcGIS Pro toolbox processes a digital elevation model (DEM) to identify topographic depressions and outputs them as both a raster (DepRaster) and a polygon feature (DepPolygon). Developed by Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, this toolbox is provided free of charge as a research tool with no warranty as to its fitness or reliability for any particular application.

Recommended citation: Zhu, J., T. P. Taylor, J. C. Currens, and M. M. Crawford, 2014, Improved karst sinkhole mapping in Kentucky using LiDAR techniques: A pilot study in Floyds Fork Watershed, Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, v. 76, no. 3, p. 207–216. DOI: 10.4311/2013ES0135.

These data represent digital GIS sinkhole coverage derived from 7.5-minute USGS topographic maps for all of Kentucky. The highest elevation, closed, topographic contour of each mapped sinkhole was digitized as a GIS polygon. The second highest elevation contour was also digitized where very large, shallow, karst valleys were so expansive that the area covered by the polygon obscured patterns in sinkhole distribution. These karst valleys are mostly confined to the Western Pennyroyal. The spacing of contour intervals on the topographic maps of the state vary in from 40 foot to 10 foot. No attempt was made to use a constant elevation, standardize the outline to a uniform contour interval, or record the elevation of the digitized contour. Digitization was done onscreen using digital raster graphic files of the 7.5-minute topographic contours, registered and projected to the Kentucky State Plane coordinate system.

This data file contains the vectorized 1:500,000-scale geologic map data of Kentucky with an attribute that tags geologic units with karst potential. The digital 1:500,000-scale geologic map data were derived from the 1988 Geologic Map of Kentucky, which was compiled by Martin C. Noger (KGS) from the 1981 Geologic Map of Kentucky (Scale 1:250,000) by McDowell and others (USGS). The 1:24,000-scale geologic fault data were compiled from 707 Geological Survey 7.5-minute geologic quadrangle maps (published by Kentucky Geological Survey - U.S. Geological Survey from 1960 to 1980), which were digitized during the Kentucky Geological Survey Digital Mapping Program (1996-2006). Karst potential and dominant lithology are map layers derived from the geologic formations layers. Layer files included in the dataset can be used to symbolize the units as they are symbolized on the Geologic Map Service.