The Kentucky Initiative for Caves and Karst (KICK)

C. Warren Campbell, Ph.D., P.E., CFM

        The Kentucky Initiative for Caves and Karst (KICK) is the brainchild of Hazel Barton of Northern Kentucky University.  It is an idea that involves Western Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky through the Geological Survey of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Mammoth Cave National Park and ultimately, the global karst community.  We need volunteers from the NSS and the Kentucky caving community and from other states to embark with us on an unprecedented voyage of discovery and exploration. 

        KICK will be centered on Mammoth Cave National Park and the Pennyroyal sinkhole plane between the Park and Glasgow, Kentucky.  It will include all of the caves in the park and the Martin Ridge and Fisher Ridge systems.  Within this area are thousands of sinkholes, some of which deliver water and contamination to the major groundwater basins in and around Mammoth Cave.  However, some of the sinkholes are filled with fine clay and silt which hold water and contamination.  This is most evident in the sinkhole ponds that are scattered around the Pennyroyal plain.  The foundation for this grand project is the collection of LIDAR (laser radar) and thermography data for the area.  In open areas, LIDAR provides elevation data with a resolution of a few centimeters and in forested areas a resolution of about 15 – 20 cm.  Interior collapses and sinkholes will be visible on the LIDAR data as well as some subtle geological and geomorphological features.  A sinkhole with an interior collapse is one that is delivering water and contamination to the aquifer.  Thermography gives a thermal map of the surface and will show almost every spring discharge in the area.  Previous studies have shown that thermography can be used to find seeps with a discharge of a few milliliters per second.

        So what will this data mean to cavers and the global karst community?  We expect to see numerous contour distortions on the high resolution LIDAR data that are invisible on the 10 ft and 20 ft contour maps of the National Park.  Some of these will be indicators of cave entrances.  We expect there will be many new caves and passages to be found in the field and explored.  The thermography will provide us with many new springs whose groundwater basins will require delineation with dye traces.  Scientifically, we are going to learn a lot more about the natural plumbing of Mammoth Cave.  We will also share the data with qualified researchers across the globe research interests in Mammoth Cave.  We will also show what can be done in any karst area to better understand the natural resources beneath our feet.   

        The KICK vision is clear and it involves both scientists and recreational cavers.  The scientific case for KICK is compelling and evident to everyone who understands anything about karst.  It has the endorsement of some of the top karst scientists in the world. 

Warren Campbell (NSS 9513) is the Hall Professor of Civil Engineering at Western Kentucky University.  He is a cave and limestone researcher who was the principal researcher for two major thermography projects for karst areas.   His current areas of research include modeling of sinkhole flooding and the improvement of stormwater system design in karst areas, a much neglected and much needed subject.  He is a professional engineer licensed in Alabama and Kentucky, and a nationally certified floodplain manager (CFM).