Ground water in the alluvium along the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River between Louisa and Pikeville, Kentucky

A study was undertaken to define the potential of the Levisa Fork alluvial aquifer between Louisa and Pikeville, Kentucky. An inventory of existing water wells disclosed no public or industrial use of water from the alluvium, and very few screened wells drilled in the alluvium for domestic supply use. Ten test holes were augered into the alluvium to the bedrock valley floor. Although all of these holes disclosed a substantial thickness of alluvium, seven holes contained virtually no aquifer material. However, in the other three holes as much as 50 feet of clean, coarse sand and gravel was encountered, much of which would be saturated and probably in good hydraulic connection with the Levisa Fork when it is at higher stages.

The probability of constructing a water well in the alluvium that is capable of yielding more than a few gallons per minute seems to be low. Test drilling is an essential step for those users seeking a moderate to large water supply from the Levisa Fork alluvium.