GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 118

August 1951

GEOLOGIC CONSTRUCTION-MATERIAL RESOURCES IN SHERIDAN COUNTY, KANSAS

By

Henry V. Beck and Robert K. McCormack

PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION OF KANSAS R. C. Keeling, State Highway Engineer S. E. Horner, Chief Geologist R. D. Finney, Engineer of Materials

Prepared as part of a Program of the Department of the Interior for Development of the Missouri River Basin UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. E. Wrather, Director

Washington, D. C.

Free on application to the Geological Survey, Washington 25, D. C. CONTENTS Page Page -11 Introduction ...... 1 Alluvium ...... Purpose of the investigation ..... Road rneta 1 ...... 11 1 Engineering and geologic Geography ...... 1 Area covered by the characteristics .... 11 investigation...... Aggregate for concrete . . 11 1 Crushed rock ...... Topography ...... 1 11 Drainage ...... Stratigraphic sources and 1 performance characteristics. Climate ...... 1 11 Transportation routes ..... r? Sources of aggregate Investigation procedure ...... for concrete ...... 11 3 Crushed rock ...... Acknowledgments ...... 3 11 Characteristics of the outcropping Smoky Hill chalk Stratigraphic units ...... member of the Introduction ...... Niobrara formation. 11 Niobrara formation of the Mortar bed of the Smoky Hill chalk member ..... Ogallala formation . 12 Areal distribution ...... Mineral filler ...... in General description ...... Engineering and geologic Representative measured characteristics ...... 12 section ...... Stratigraphic sources and Thickness ...... performance characteristics. 12 Construction material ..... Sanborn formation .... I15 Ogallala formation ...... Terrace deposits. . . . . If. Areal distribution ...... Volcanic ash ...... ir General description ...... Engineering and geologic Representative measured characteristics ...... section ...... Stratigraphic sources and Thickness ...... performance char­ Construction materials ..... acteristics ...... 1? Sanborn formation ...... Ogallala formation .... 12 Areal distribution ...... Sanborn formation .... 12 General description ...... Riprap ...... Representative measured Engineering and geologic sections...... characteristics ...... Thickness ...... Stratigraphic sources and Construction materials ..... performance Terrace deposits ...... characteristics ...... Areal distribution ...... Smoky Hill chalk member General description ...... of the Niobrara Representative measured formation ...... I"-1 sections ...... Ogallala formation .... 12 Thickness ...... 10 Structural stone .... f. .... 12 Construction materials ..... 10 Engineering and geologic Alluvium ...... 10 characteristics ...... 12 Areal distribution ...... 10 Stratigraphic sources and per­ General description ...... 10 formance characteristics . . Representative measured Smoky Hill chalk member section ...... 10 of the Niobrara formation Thickness ...... 10 Ogallala formation .... 1? Construction materials ..... 10 Calcareous binder ...... 13 Inventory of construction materials . . . 10 Engineering and g'eologic General ...... 10 characteristics ...... 13 Aggregate for concrete ...... i 10 Stratigraphic sources and Engineering and geologic performance character­ characteristics ...... 10 istics ...... 13 Stratigraphic sources and per­ Smoky Hill chalk formance characteristics . . . 11 member of the Ogallala formation ..... 11 Niobrara formation. . . 13 Sanborn formation ..... 11 Ogallala formation .... 13 Terrace 'deposits ...... 11 References cited ...... 13 ILLUSTRATIONS Page

Plate 1. Map showing construction materials and geology of Sheridan County, Kans. ... In pocket Figure 1. Index map of Kansas showing areas covered by this report and by other construction materials investigations ...... £ 2. Chart showing temperature ranges at Hoxie, Kans...... 2 3. Chart showing precipitation ranges at Hoxie, Kans...... > 4. Outcropping stratigraphic units in Sheridan County, Kans. , and their construction materials ...... 4 5. Geologic cross section of the valley of South Fork Solomon River ...... 5

TABLE

Table 1. Summary of materials tests ...... In pocket

ii GEOLOGIC CONSTRUCHON-MATERIAL RESOURCES IN SHERIDAN COUNTY, KANSAS % Henry V. Beck and Robert K. McCormack

INTRODUCTION

Purpose of the Investigation

The State Highway Commission of Kansas and Drainage. --The principal streams in Sheridan the United States Geological Survey are cooper­ County are the South Fork and North Fork ating in the compilation of a State-wide con­ Solomon River, and the Saline River. The north­ struction materials inventory. A field party ward-flowing tributaries of these streams are composed of personnel from the two cooperatin'g from 2 to 6 miles long and average 3 miles in agencies was sent into Sheridan County, Kans. , length. The southward-flowing tributaries are in the summer of 1949 to investigate sources of not as numerous, but average 5 miles in length. engineering construction materials. This report of the Sheridan County investigation is a part of Minor streams are Sand Creek in the west- the general inventory, and a contribution to the central part of the county, Bow Creek in the geologic mapping and mineral resource investi­ northern part, and Prairie Dog Creek near the gation being made in connection with studies of northwestern corner. the Missouri River Basin (Cong. doc. , 1944). Climate- --Sheridan County is in an area of The primary objective of the investigation was continental-type climate in which the summers to accumulate all field and laboratory data per­ are relatively long and hot, and the winters taining to the geologic materials in Sheridan short and fairly cold. The mean annual temper­ County that would be useful in the construction ature is 53 F; the mean temperature ranges from of dams, highways, railways, airports, and a low of 29 F in January to a high of 79 F in July. other engineering structures. Additional geo­ There are 55 cloudy days a year, 110 partly logic data are included in this report, but only to cloudy days, and 200 clear days. The ground is the extent of providing information useful in the snow-covered 30 days of the year. The normal development of the prospects reported in the in­ annual precipitation is 19. 35 in. The average ventory, or for the location of other materials date of the first killing frost in the fall is October required for future engineering needs. 11, and that of the last killing frost in the spring is May 1 (Flora, 1948). Geography Figure 2, a chart showing temperature ranges Area covered by the investigation. --Sheridan at Hoxie, Kans. , was compiled from Climatolog- County is in the second tier of Kansas counties ical data (U. S. Dept. Commerce, 1937-46), to south of the Nebraska border and in the third provide basic data on temperature in relation to tier east of the Colorado border. (See fig. 1. ) engineering construction. The chart indicates, It comprises 25 townships and covers an area of for the 10-year period, the number of days each about 900 square miles. The county is bounded month in which the maximum daily temperature on the north by Decatur County, on the east by fell within certain designated ranges arbitrarily Graham County, on the south by Gove County, based on temperatures important in various and on the west by Thomas County. phases of engineering construction.

Topography. --Sheridan County is near the Days in which the maximum temperature does center of the Great Plains physiographic prov­ not exceed 32 F occur only from November to ince, and near the western boundary of the March, inclusive, ,with the maximum incidence Plain* Border subdivision of that province. of 5. 9 days in January. July is the warmest Eastward-flowing streams have dissected the month of the year, with an average of 22. 8 days eastern part of the county more than they have having maximum temperatures above 90 F. The the western half. The interstream areas are chart also shows the average difference between generally flat and wide. Dissection is most con­ the daily maximum and mimimum temperatures spicuous in the area between the South Fork for each month. The greatest difference in daily Solomon River and the'Saline River. temperatures, 26 F, is in October; and the least difference, 20 F, is in January. The average altitude of the county is 2500 ft. The lowest point, 2250 ft, is on the South Fork Inasmuch as precipitation also conditions the Solomon River at the eastern boundary of the number of working days in engineering con­ county, and the highest point, 2900 ft. is near struction, figure 3, a chart showing precipita­ the western border of the county in the vicinity tion ranges at Hoxie, Kans. , is presented to of Menlo. show the effect of this climate factor. The ranges in precipitation were selected arbitrarily. 1 Report in Report preporation published

Figure I. Index map of Kansas showing areas covered by this report and by other construction materials investigations

No of days Jan. Feb. Mar Apr. May June | July Aug. S«pt Oct. Nov. Dec.

29°F 29°F 30°F 3C?F 29°F 32°F 29°Fl26°F

EXPLANATION EXPLANATION I Doys in which precipitotion Doys in which maximum temperature was more than 90° F Data for both charts I (no concrete construction) I was mar* than I inch compiled from (no construction activity) |Days in which maximum temperature was between 6I°-90° F Climatological Data (no interference with any type of construction] Kansas Section , Days in which precipitation j for years 1937 to | was between Oil and I inch 9 Days in which maximum temperature was between 41"-60° F 1946, inclusive. (no interference with concrete construction; Issued by no bituminous surfacings laid) Weather Bureau Days in which precipitation was between a trace and O.I inch NDays in which maximum lemperoture wos between 32*-4O° F United States I (no interference with construction] (concrete construction requires protection) Deportment of Commerce Days In which there wos Doy$ in which maximum temperature was less titan 32° F j no precipitation (no concrete construction)

Figure 2.-Chart showing temperature ranges at Hoxie, Kansas Figure 3-Chart showing precipitation ranges at Hoxie, Kansas As based on a 10-year average (U.S. Dept. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OUTCROPPING Commerce, 1937-46) there are 19.6 days in STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS June, for example, in which no measurable precipitation fell; 5. 7 days in which the precipi­ Introduction tation ranged from a trace to 0. 1 in. ; 3. 7 days in which 0. 11 to 1 in. of rain fell; and 1 day in This discussion of the Outcropping strati- which the precipitation was more than 1 in. Con­ graphic units of Sheridan County emphasizes the tinuing rains fall, for the most part, in the late areal distribution, general characteristics, spring and early fall, and other rainfall is gen­ thickness, and the construction materials in erally in the form of showers. each formation. This part of the report pre­ sents the geological information required for Transportation routes. --Sheridan County is the location and effective development of the served by two railways, the Union Pacific and construction materials. the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific; three transcontinental highways (U. S. 24, 83, and A summary of the data for each geologic 383); and two Kansas highways (23 and 123). formation or member is presented in figure 4, Kansas Highway 123 is a metaled, all-weather .and the relations of the stratigraphic units to road, the other State and Federal highways are one another are illustrated in figure 5, a ge­ of the black-top type of construction. ologic cross section of the valley of the South Fork Solomon River. County and township roads, for the most part, follow section lines. Some of them are The areal distribution of the local strati - metaled with materials available locally, graphic units is shown on plate 1, a map show­ whereas others are maintained as earth roads. ing construction materials and geology of Sheridan County, Kans. Each unit is indicated The locations of the railroads and roads are by an identifying symbol, and its outcrop areas shown on plate 1. are shown by a distinctive pattern.

Investigation Procedure The locations of pits and quarries also are shown on plate 1. The symbols indicate whether This report is based on field work of the re­ the pit or quarry is or has been operated or is connaissance type. The base map (scale: 1 in. a' prospect, the type of construction material equals 1 mile), including drainage lines, was available at each site, and the quantity of the provided by the State Highway Commission of material (in units of 10,000 cubic yards) that Kansas. The areal distribution of the strati - can be removed under no more than moderate graphic units that outcrop in Sheridan County overburden (unconsoiidated sediments less was then mapped in the field. The mapped than 6 ft thick). Most of these sources are stratigraphic units are those recognized by the listed in table 1. Materials represented on the United States Geological Survey (Wilmarth, map by inclined letters have not been tested 1938) and the Kansas Geological Survey (Moore, and are not listed in table 1. All materials R.C. Frye, J. C. and Jewett, J. M. , 1944). The sources listed in table 1 are numbered within principal emphasis of this report is on con­ each materials classification according to the struction materials. Geologic problems not following plan: The numbering starts in the critically related to construction materials, northeasternmost township and continues therefore, are considered to be of secondary along the same tier to the western boundary of importance. the county; it is continued in the next tier south starting again with the township in the eastern­ An effort was made to accumulate all most range and proceeding to the western existing data pertaining to construction ma­ boundary of the county, and so on. Within a terials in the county; these are presented in township the sources are numbered in the same table 1, a summary of materials tests. sequence as are the sections of the township.

Acknowledgments Niobrara formation of the Smoky Hill Chalk member Appreciation's expressed to the following for their aid in contributing information found useful Areal distribution. --The Smoky Hill chalk in the compilation of the geologic map and of member of the Niobrara formation is the only construction material data included in this re­ stratigraphic unit of Cretaceous age that crops port: the State Highway Commission of Kansas out in Sheridan County. (See pi. 1 and fig. 4. ) at Topeka and Manhattan, Kans. , S. E. Horner, It probably underlies the entire area of the chief geologist, R. D. Finney, engineer of ma­ county but is concealed by younger, overlying terials, and W. E. Gibson, engineer of tests; formations except along stream courses. The the Sheridan County office of the Soil Conserva­ outcrops are most numerous along the valley tion Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture; walls of the Saline River in the southeastern and Vernon Huntington, county engineer of part of the county. Several small outcrops are Sheridan County. mapped along the South Fork Solomon River. s TOtiQfophic units Section Generalized description * ond materials j[ I members

Predominontly gray silt with numerous interbedded Aggregate 0-30 Alluvium ^ .T-irr.:.': lenses of sand and sandy gravel. Rood metol

Aggregate Terrace Gray, light-gray, or tan-gray clayey silt-, interbedded 0-40 Road metal deposits lenses of sand and sandy gravel in basal part. , Mineral filler 1 1 Predominantly tan-gray or red-brown clayey silt in Mineral filler the upper part-, local lenses of sand and gravel in Sonborn Aggregate 0-100 the basal part; buried soil present locally, formotion occasional lenses of volcanic ash-, fossil snails Road metal Volcanic ash IB common.

aggregate Interbedded lenses of sand, gravel, silt, and clay; Road metal tan, green, and brown; lenticular ledges of gray 200 ' Ogollolo Structural stone i- *:jr'£'. ''.° B?.*jf mortar bed; lenses of light-gray to white volcanic Volcanic ash £ ash. Calcareous binder Riprap

1^""'* '* ' * !' '

f

''xS3^SC3t\'*:\ \

. . i 1 Chalky shale interbedded with chalk and shaly Structural stone £ Smoky Hill chalk; tan, brown, and orange -colored; thin Calcareous binder 100 § 1 silicified lenses m upper part-, interbedded Riprap . s I thin la»"»rs of bentonite. Road metal I

__ .

Figure 4.0utcropping strotigraphic units in Sheridan County, Kons., and their construction materials. II * --II-

/i ______I _L i -i.- iI ~- i*- \i _ - i - -... i - Ji ...._._!.- i -=n1

Scale mlJes

EXPLANATION

Concealed unconformity

Shaty chalk

Smoky Hill chalk rrxfnbcr of Niobroro formotlon

Figure 5._Geologic a-oss section of the valley of the South Fork Solomon River along line A-B (line between sees. I and 2, T. 8 S., R. 26 W. and sees. 35 and 36, T. 8 S., R. 26 W.) near the Graham County line, along U. S. High­ Feet way 24 just west of Studley, and along the south valley wall of the South Fork Solomon River in Ogallala formation ...... 10. 8 the same.vicinity. The westernmost outcrop of the unit is in the NE^SE £ sec. 23, T. 10 S. , R. Smoky Hill chalk member of the 28 W. where it forms a small nose on the north Niobrara formation: wall of the valley of the Saline River. Chalk; thin beds of hard, siliceous chalk interbedded with soft chalky General description. --The Smoky Hill mem­ shale; chalky shale is yellow ber is the only marine deposit exposed in orange, siliceous chalk is brown . . 6.2 Sheridan County. Its contact with the underlying Limestone; chalky; massive, soft; Fort Hays limestone member of the same for­ - tan, weathers gray tan ...... 1.1 mation is below the present land surface. At one Shale, chalky and silty; tan, time a still younger Cretaceous formation, the weathers tan gray ...... 1 Pierre shale, was present above the Smoky Limestone, chalky; massive, soft; Hill chalk member, but subsequently it was re­ tan, weathers gray tan ...... 8 moved except for small remnants which may Chalk, silicified; brittle, breaks still exist beneath the younger formations, the into angular fragments; light Ogallala and Sanborn. brown, weathers brown ...... 1 Limestone, chalky; massive, soft; The Smoky Hill consists of interbedded layers tan, weathers gray tan with white of chalky shale and chalky limestone. Some of and pink streaks ...... 4. 6 the chalk beds are massive and may be as much Bentonite; flaky; gray green, as 6 ft thick, and their color varies markedly weathers olive drab ...... 1 over the outcrop area. Near Studley, for ex­ Limestone, chalky; massive, soft; ample, the chalk includes white, yellow, and tan, weathers brown ...... 8 bright orange zones. The orange-colored layers Bentonite; flaky; olive drab ...... 1 are very clayey and softer than the white and Limestone, chalky; massive, soft; yellow beds. The upper few feet of the member tan, weathers brown ...... 1.6 in this area are characterized by geodes and Bentonite; two layers separated by a veins of calcium carbonate which have been de­ thin layer of chalk; olive drab .... .2 posited in small openings and fractures. Limestone, chalky; massive, soft; orange tan with white bands, A prominent bluff on the south side of the weathers gray tan ...... 2. 1 South Fork Solomon River in the SE^NW £ sec. Bentonite; flaky; olive drab ...... 1 25, T. 10 S. , R. 27 W. exposes the Smoky Limestone, chalky; massive, soft; Hill chalk member capped by a foot-thick bed tan, weathers gray tan ...... 1. 4 of the Ogallala formation. The chalk is thin- bedded at this location and more brown than the Base covered 19.3 exposures near Studley. Geodes and veins of calcium carbonate are abundant in the upper 2 Thickness. --Individual outcrops of the Smoky ft of the chalk. Chalk that is mottled tan-orange Hill chalk member are 5 to 35 ft thick. The and orange-red is exposed in a Stream bank in thickest exposures are along the south wall of the SE^SE 1 sec. 21, T. 8 S. , R. 26 W. the valley of the Saline River near the south­ eastern corner of the county. The aggregate Lenses in the Smoky Hill chalk member have thickness of the chalk in Sheridan County, as been silicified, and Frye and Swineford (1946) estimated from outcrop width and regional dip, suggest that the silicification was accomplished is 600 ft. by downward-percolating waters which had dis­ solved silica from stratigraphically higher beds Construction materials. -- of volcanic ash. An exchange of dissolved silica Calcareous binder. for some or all of the calcium carbonate in the Road metal. chalk may have been made as the subsurface Structural stone. waters percolated through this member. The silicified lenses are brown and dark brown with Ogallala formation included greenish streaks. The material is hard, very brittle, and occurs in beds from 0. 2 to 0. 5 Areal distribution. --The Ogallala formation ft thick, which seldom persist laterally for more of Pliocene age crops out in many places in than a few feet. Sheridan County. (See pi. 1 and fig. 4.) Most of the outcrops are in stream valleys and are the Thin beds of gray-green and olive-drab bento- result of present-day streams having cut through nite, presumed to be weathered volcanic ash, the overlying Sanborn formation. The Ogallala are numerous in the Smoky Hill chalk member. formation is best exposed in the valleys of the They are interbedded with the chalky shale, and northward-flowing tributaries of the South Fork are best displayed in exposures in the south­ Solomon River, Saline River, Sand Creek, and, eastern part of the county. to a lesser extent, Prairie Dog Creek. Expo­ sures also occur in the main streams, but may Representative measured section. --A stream not be continuous from one tributary to the next. bank in the SE£NE i sec. 33, T. 10 S. , R. 26 W. Undoubtedly the Ogallala formation underlies shows the following section of the Smoky Hill much of the remainder of the county but is chalk member: buried to a variable depth by the overlying San­ born formation. (See fig. 5. ) Certain zones in the Ogallala formation are sheltered places on the land surface, as in similar in physical characteristics to zones in stream valleys and lake basins. The ash con­ the overlying Sanborn formation and in some sists of shards of glass-like material, and is places only arbitrary contacts can be drawn be­ white to light gray. The ash sometimes con­ tween the two formations. The contacts, as tains extraneous particles of sand, gravel, and mapped, are based upon the presence in the silt washed in by streams or slope-wash during Ogallala formation of mortar-bed ledges, beds the period of ash fall. The beds of ash in the of clay and clay shale, and thick lenses of sand Ogallala formation average 3 ft in thickness. and gravel. The Sanborn formation is predomi­ Material from a pit in the SE£SW£ sec. 12, T. nantly silty, mortar-bed ledges do not occur in 8 S., R. 27 W. is used locally in the construc­ it, clay is not a characteristic material, and its tion of roads of the bituminous-mat type. The sand and gravel lenses generally are less ex­ ash in this pit is neither extensive nor thick. tensive and thinner than those in the Ogallala There are stringers of bentonite throughout the formation. upper part of the deposit, indicating that some alteration has taken place since the time of its General description. --The Ogallala formation deposition. consists of interbedded lenses of sand, gravel, silt, and clay. The bulk of the material com­ Representative measured section. --The posing this formation was eroded by streams following section of the Ogallala formation is that headed in the Rocky Mountains, was trans­ exposed in an abandoned pit in the NW £ NW £ sec. ported eastward by these streams, and was de­ 32, T. 8 S. , R. 29 E. : posited as a sedimentary mantle over the sur-' Feet face of the High Plains. Sanborn formation: Silt This formation includes lenticular layers of light-gray, massive, lime-cemented sand and Ogallala formation: sandy gravel. Such layers are termed mortar Mortar bed; silt and fine sand poorly beds. A mortar bed is harder than other ma­ cemented by calcium carbonate at terials in the formation, so that in most places base, well cemented at top; light differential erosion causes it to project as a tan, weathers tan gray and conspicuous hillside ledge. Some ledges are nodular ...... 3.5 less than one foot thick, but many others are as Silt, with fine sand throughout, much as 10 ft thick, such as that exposed in a calcareous with calcium carbon­ valley wall in the NW^SW £ sec. 10, T. 8 S., R. ate concretions; brown, weathers 26 W. Generally the mortar beds are composed tan ...... 3.8 of fine sand cemented by lime. A mortar bed Sand, fine, with silt, clay, and a composed of gravel-size particles of granite, few gravel particles, calcareous; quartz, feldspar, and basic igneous rocks loose­ massive; brown, weathers tan ... 3.4 ly cemented by calcium carbonate is exposed in Sand and gravel; clean; abundance a stream bank in the SE£NE £ sec. 31, T. 3S., of basic igneous rock fragments; R. 29 W. The exposure shows prominent light tan, weathers light gray ... 4.4 crossbedding, and is about 15 ft thick. Clay, with some sand, calcareous; concretions of clay cemented with The Ogallala formation in Sheridan County calcium carbonate in upper 2 ft; is composed predominantly of beds of loose thin stringer of carbonaceous sand, gravel, and silt, with occasional lenses matter 1. 3 ft from top; mottled cemented to form mortar beds. Because of olive drab and light gray, weathers this variation in composition, a rugged topog­ tan gray...... 3.3 raphy has been developed over a large part of Silt, with sand and clay, calcareous; the eastern half of the county. In the W^ sec. 1, granular; light gray-green .... .8 T. 9 S. , R. 26 W. a rough erosional surface Sand, fine, with some gravel, clayey, has been developed in the sandy part of the slightly calcareous; loosely com­ Ogallala and thin layers of mortar bed make pacted; olive drab, weathers light ledges at different levels along the hillsides. gray ...... 1.4 This feature is found most commonly on the Sand and gravel; sand in upper part south valley wails of the South Fork Solomon with some clay, coarse near the River, and Sand Creek as far west as Hoxie. base; sand poorly sorted and com­ posed of quartz and feldspar; gravel Sand and gravel typical of the Ogallala largely granitic fragments; thin formation are exposed in a pit in the N W £ NE £ layer of carbon-stained sand and sec. 19, T. 9 S. , R. 29 W. The constituent gravel 3 ft from top; light tan, particles are granite, feldspar, quartz, weathers light gray ...... 8.7 chalcedony, and dark-colored igneous rocks. Mortar bed; sand and gravel well In the upper part of this exposure the sand cemented by calcium carbonate; and gravel are stained greenish. A mortar crossbedded; gray ...... 3. 0 bed crops out about 30 ft above this pit. Total thickness exposed (base covered) 32.3 There are lenses of volcanic ash in the Ogallala formation. The volcanic ash is ma­ Thickness. --The thickness of the Ogallaia terial discharged into the atmosphere during formation is variable throughout the county, and the explosive phase of a volcanic eruption and ranges from a featheredge to a maximum of 200 carried by the wind to be finally deposited in ft. Average outcrops are 20 ft in thickness. Construction materials. - - higher levels by slope wash, and are usually Volcanic ash. markedly cross-bedded. Riprap. Road metal. Several deposits of volcanic ash were found Aggregate for concrete. in the basal part of the Sanborn formation. In Calcareous binder. a pit in the NW^NW £ sec. 34, T. 8 S.', R. 28 W. , the volcanic ash is white and light gray. Sanborn formation The dip of the beds is toward the south. The ash is overlain by coarse silt which contains Areal distribution. --The Sanborn formation large irregular masses of fine sand cemented of Pleistocene and Recent age is the most widely by calcium carbonate. Another deposit of distributed formation outcropping in Sheridan volcanic ash is exposed intheNW^-SW £ sec. 4, County. (See pi. 1 and fig. 4. ) At one time the T. 6S., R. 27 W. The ash is exposed in a formation undoubtedly extended over the full road ditch, which is about 15 ft thick, and shows area of the county, but it subsequently has been horizontal bedding in the lower part. The over­ eroded from the courses of many of the streams. burden is 8 ft thick, and is composed of sand The formation caps the interstream areas, and gravel with some reworked ash, all show­ principally, where it conceals older strati- ing crossbedding. The ash is underlain by fine, graphic units. (See fig. 5. } light-tan sand of the Sanborn formation.

General description. --The Sanborn formation Fossil snails were collected from several is composed of materials deposited by streams, outcrops of the formation and were used, in slope-wash, wind, and through the action of part, for purposes of correlation. gravity. Frye and Fent (1947) have divided the formation into members. Itwas not feasible to The Sanborn formation occurs in two topo­ attempt the mapping of these members in the graphic positions: (1) as a blanket of unconsol- field work on which this report is based. To do idated material covering the interstream areas, so would have required a greatly extended field and (2) as a relatively thin veneer of material program, including test drilling. The treatment covering the lower part of the valley walls of of the Sanborn formation as an undivided unit the larger streams. The deposits are mapped seems adequate to serve the purpose of this as a single stratigraphic unit because the con­ construction materials inventory. tact between these two levels of Sanborn deposition has been obscured over much of the The upper part of the formation is predom­ county through the action of slope wash. Gen­ inantly silt but scattered throughout are a few erally the Sanborn formation is eroded to form particles of sand and gravel size. The color a gently undulatory surface. The headward is light gray, tan, or tan gray. There is a parts of some stream valleys that have been prominent soil profile developed at the top of cut into the Sanborn formation, however, ex­ this formation. The A horizon is characteris­ hibit a phenomenon known as "catstep erosion, " tically rather thin, ranging from 0. 5 to 1. 1 which is probably the result of gravity sliding ft. It is usually dark gray but in places is of water-saturated silt toward the streams. The brown, and has a granular texture. The "catsteps" are bounded by scarps 1 to 5 ft high thick B horizon is characterized by lighter and can be traced horizontally for several hun­ color and secondary calcium carbonate de­ dred feet. Bluffs 20 ft high have been formed in posited by downward-percolating subsurface the same way on the south wall of the Saline water. The calcium carbonate is disseminated River in the southwestern part of the county. throughout the zone or is locally concentrated They are composed of silt which has a tendency within the zone in the form of nodules or pipe- to stand in vertical banks. like concretionary masses. This zone charac­ teristically stands in vertical banks and Representative rneasured sections. --(1) The develops a crude columnar structure, the re­ following section is exposed in a road cut in the sult of the intersection of irregular joint SE£NE£ sec. 9, T. 8 S. , R. 28 W. : planes. A buried (fossil) soil is exposed in a road ditch in the NE^NW £ sec. 24, T. 8S., Feet R. 29 W. In this exposure the top soil is separated from the buried soil by 0. 7 ft of Soil: Silty; poorly developed; gray brown . 0. 8 tan-gray silt which is clayey and calcareous. The buried soil is dark-gray silt and clay with Sanborn formation: calcium carbonate along the fracture surfaces. Silt with some clay, calcareous; At this exposure the buried soil is 0. 9 ft loosely compacted; quite porous; thick. Fossil snails are found above and below gray tan, weathers light gray; the buried soil zone. high-spired snail shells fairly common ...... 5. 5 Lenses of sand and sandy gravel are pres­ Silt, with some clay, calcareous; ent in the basal part of the formation. They are loosely compacted; light brown, about 6 ft thick, pinch out laterally within weathers light gray; snails short distances, and contain a small percentage common ...... 3.4 of material derived from the weathering and Silt, with some clay and sand, slightly erosion of the Ogallala formation and the Smoky calcareous with some small calcium Hill member. Such lenses are deposits laid carbonate concretions; more compact down along streams or materials carried from than the above; gray brown, weathers pinkish tan ...... 1.1 Feet along Lhe North Fork Solomon River may be as much as a mile wide near the northeastern cor­ Sand, silty with some gravel, cal­ ner of the county but are less than 0. 1 mile in careous; loosely compacted; the western part. The terrace deposits along reddish tan, weathers pinkish Prairie Dog Creek near the northwestern tan ...... 2.6 corner of the county average about 0.2 mile in Silt, clayey and sandy, calcareous; width. Local evidences of a higher (older) ter­ loosely compacted and porous; race level were observed along the South Fork mottled gray and pinkish tan . . 3.2 Solomon River, but because the composition is similar to that of the lower terrace, the two Total thickness exposed (base covered) . 16. 6 levels are mapped as a single unit on plate 1. The topographic position of the terrace de­ (2) The following section of the Sanborn for­ posits, with respect to other formations in the mation is exposed in a road cut along U. S. county, is illustrated in figure 5. Highway 24 in the NW^NWl sec. 20,T. 8S., R. 28 W. : General description. --The terrace deposits are composed of silt with some clay in the upper Feet part, but the lower part is more sandy and in­ cludes local lenses of cross-bedded sand and Soil: Silt, clayey, slightly calcareous; gravel. The silt is tan gray to dark gray, and gray ...... _0.6 there is usually a well-developed A soil horizon Sanborn formation: " present in the uppermost part of each outcrop. Silt, clayey, more calcareous than This horizon is usually dark gray but is brown soil, calcium carbonate dissem­ in places. The underlying B horizon is typically inated throughout; tan, weathers tan gray'but may be light brown, and is clayey. tan gray ...... 4. 3 Silt, clayey, calcareous; tan, The lenses of sand and sandy gravel that are weathers tan gray; low- and high- found in the lower part of the terrace deposits spired snail shells ...... 13.2 are composed of granitic material (quartz, pink Silt, clayey, sandy in basal part, feldspar, and fragments of granite). The largest . very calcareous; tan, weathers particles in a pit in the NE£ NEA sec. 32, T. 10 light gray ...... 15. 5 S. , R. 26 W. are fragments of chalk and sili­ Silt, some clay, calcareous; massive; ceous chalk of local origin. The source of the large irregular concretions com­ sand is the Ogallala formation. posed of fine sand cemented by calcium carbonate; gray brown, Lumps of black shale are present in an weathers gray ."...... 9. 4 abandoned wet pit in the NE-^SW £ sec. 36, T. 8 Silt, with some clay and fine sand; S. , R. 26 W. These lumps were probably slightly calcareous; friable; pumped up with the sand and gravel and were tan, weathers light tan gray ..... 5. 3 derived from nearby outcrops of the Pierre shale of Cretaceous age. The sand and gravel Total thickness exposed (base covered). 48. 3 of this pit are composed predominantly of fragments of quartz, feldspar, and granite. Thickness. --The formation is variable in its thickness, and has been completely eroded from Representative measured sections. --(1) The the valleys of many of the streams. The greatest following section of a terrace deposit was ob­ thickness, about 100 ft, is in the interstream tained by drilling an auger hole in the valley of area between Sand Creek and the North Fork the South Fork Solomon River in the SW£ SW£ Solomon River in the western half of the county. sec. 17, T. 9S., R. 30 W.: The average thickness is 30 ft. Feet Construction materials. -- Mineral filler. Soil: Dark gray ...... 0^3 Volcanic ash. Terrace deposit: Aggregate for concrete. Silt, some sand, calcareous; Road metal. brown ...... 2.7 Silt, sand, and some clay, slightly Terrace Deposits calcareous; loosely compacted; tan gray ...... 1.0 Areal distribution. --Terrace deposits are Silt, sandy and clayey, calcareous; characteristic of the valleys of the major very loose; tan ...... 1.0 streams in the county. (See pi. 1 and fig. 4. ) Silt, very little clay or sand, very Narrow extensions of the terraces project into calcareous; loose; light tan. . . 3.0 the valleys of streams tributary to these major Silt, clayey, calcareous; loose; drainage lines. The width of the terrace de­ light tan ...... l.C posits changes rapidly within short distances. Sand, silty and clayey, calcareous; Those of the Saline River are about 0. 6 mile tan gray ...... 1.0 wide in the eastern part of the county but narrow Sand, very fine and clean, slightly westward to about 0. 2 mile. The deposits along calcareous; light tan-gray . . . .3 the South Fork Solomon River range from 0. 7 Silt, very clayey, some sand, cal­ mile wide in the eastern part of the county to 0. 3 careous, compact; tan mile near the western border. The terraces gray ...... 9 Feet county, and ic more silty in the western part. The alluvial deposits of the North Fork Solomon Sand and gravel, large amount of River are predominantly silt with small lenses silt and clay, calcareous; tan of sand and gravel by sand occuring locally. gray ...... 8 The color of the alluvium reflects, in a general Sand and gravel, clean, slightly way, the sand content of the material; the zones calcareous; tan gray ...... 1. 0 in which the alluvium is sandy tend to be tan, whereas those composed predominantly of silt Total depth of hole ...... 13. 0 tend to be brown or gray.

(2) An auger hole along Sand Creek in the Representative measured section. --The re- SE i sec. 20, T. 85,, R. 28 E. showed the lief of the alluvium is so low that a represent- following section of a terrace deposit: ative section could not b e measured.

Feet Thickness. --The maximum thickness of the alluvial deposits is estimated to be about 30 ft, Terrace deposit: Construction materials. -- Silt, clayey, calcareous; dark brown. 0.2 Aggregate for concrete. Silt, slightly clayey, calcareous; Road rnetal. tan gray ...... 2.3 Silt, sandy, some clay, calcareous; INVENTORY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS tan ...... 4. 0 Silt, clayey, calcareous} tan gray . . 1.0 General

Total depth of hole ...... 7. 5 The objectives of this inventory of construction materials in Sheridan County are to define the Thickness. --The height of the terraces above construction materials as they are classified in the streams in the county is variable but is this report and to relate the materials to the map greatest in the eastern part of the county. The units in which they occur. average difference in elevation is about 10 ft. The full thickness of the terrace deposits is Whenever available, laboratory test data have estimated to be 40 ft along the major streams been introduced into the report to aid the reader in the eastern part of the county. Extensions of in the evaluation of the materials. The informa­ the terrace deposits into the tributary valleys tion given in table 1 is based on standard testing decrease abruptly in thickness away from the procedures of the State Highway Commission of junctions with the larger streams. Kansas (1945, Gradation factor, p. 16; Sieve analysis, pp. 333-34; Soundness, pp. 335-36). Construction materials. -- This information is based also on the procedures Aggregate for concrete. of the American Association of State Highway Mineral filler. Officials (1947, Absorption, pp. 251-52; Com- Road metal. pressive strength, pp. 257-58; Deval abrasion, pp. 235-36; Liquid limit, pp. 198-201; Los Alluvium Angeles abrasion, pp. 237-39; Plasticity index, pp. 202-04; Specific gravity, pp. 249-50; Areal distribution. --The deposits formed by Toughness, pp. 240-41; Weight per cu ft, pp. streams in their present cycles are mapped as 253-54.) alluvium. (See pi. 1 and fig. 4.) They consti­ tute the most recent stratigraphic unit in the It is expected that prospects listed in this re­ county. Alluvium is defined in this report as the port will be proved by subsequent augering, material that underlies the present floodplain of drilling, or test pitting and that the materials a stream. The floodplain is the area adjacent to themselves will be subject to laboratory testing the stream channel that is covered by water prior to production for specific uses. during normal flood stage. (See fig. 5. ) Alluvi­ um is mapped along the Saline River and both Although numerous prospect pits and quarries forks of the Solomon River, but only in the were located, no attempt was made to complete eastern part of the county. Because of the scale an exhaustive survey of all possible sources of of the map, very narrow alluvial deposits along materials. Every effort was made to correlate some of the larger tributary streams could not the construction materials that are available in be shown. The width of the alluvium averages Sheridan County with the geologic formations 0. 15 mile, and is greatest near the eastern mapped on plate 1. border of the county. Aggregate for concrete General description. --Alluvial deposits of the Saline River are predominantly sand with some Engineering and geologic characteristics. -- gravel but include considerable, silt in the Aggregate for concrete is classified as fine ag­ western part of the county. The sand is com­ gregate and mixed aggregate in table 1 and on posed largely of quartz and feldspar, and the plate 1. In this report the distinction is an arbi­ gravel contains fragments of the Smoky Hill trary one based on the percentage of material member. The alluvium of the South Fork retained on a standard No. 4 sieve. The portion Solomon River is mostly sand, but includes of a sample retained on that sieve is designated some gravel and silt in the eastern part of the as the coarse fraction. The material is classified

10 as a mixed aggregate if the coarse fraction is 5 probably present in the eastern part of the percent or more by weight of the whole sample; county. The overburden is silt and may be re­ as a fine aggregate if the coarse fraction is less moved easily. than 5 percent. Fine and mixed aggregate will be considered together because of the standard (4) Alluvium. The alluvial deposits of this practice of bringing the grading to specifications county were not sampled by the field party. by sweetening or. screening. These deposits would have to be pumped di­ rectly from the streams, and there was no The materials reported in this and other facility available to obtain samples. The alluvial classifications are exposed at the surface or are deposits of the South Fork Solomon River have under soft or unconsolidated overburden suffi­ been used locally in concrete and serve satis­ ciently thin that they may be economically 4e- factorily in small structures. There is a small veloped. Deposits that are overlain by thick o|r percentage of fragments of soft, porous chalk consolidated beds, or that are relatively iljil- and, locally, a high percentage of silt in these accessible, usually are not included in this in­ deposits. The alluvial deposits of the Saline ventory because of the additional expense Riverj'ctentain a high percentage of chalk and involved in their removal or transportation. mortar-bed fragments.

Stratigraphic sources and performance Road Metal characteristics. --The following stratigraphic units are actual or potential sources of aggre­ Engineering and geologic characteristics. -- gate for concrete: Road metal, known also as surfacing material, crushed stone, and aggregate, is defined in this (1) Ogallala formation. One sample of fine report as any material that may be applied to a aggregate (fa 1) and 17 samples of mixed ag­ road to improve the performance characteristics gregate were obtained from this formation. (See of that road. Many geologic materials fulfill this table 1. ) The principal difference between ag­ requirement, and the list of such materials will gregates of this formation and those of the differ from one area to another. The following Sanborn formation is that the Sanborn forma­ materials are available in Sheridan County for tion contains a higher percentage of mortar-bed use as road metal: fragments. (1) Aggregate for concrete. - (2) Sanborn formation. Two samples of (2) Indurated rocks that are available in fine aggregate (fa 2 and 3) and 16 samples of Sheridan County for use as road metal are: (a) mixed aggregate (ma 1 to 4, 7, 9, 11, 13 to 15, chalky limestone, a compact, massive layer of 19, 24, 26, 29, 31, 36) were obtained from the calcareous material, variable in its hardness; Sanborn formation. Sand and gravel of this for­ (b) mortar bed, a compact, massive, layer of mation are composed of particles of granite, sand and/or gravel firmly cemented by calcium quartz, feldspar, and a small percentage of carbonate; (c) silicified chalk, a calcareous rock quartzite. Basic igneous rocks and mortar bed that has been altered to silica by the action of fragments are also present in these deposits in percolating subsurface waters. minor amounts. The materials included here under crushed Additional supplies of sand and gravel from rock are listed in table 1 and mapped on plate 1 the Sanborn formation are undoubtedly present under the more specific designations of limestone in the basal part of the formation. They can best and mortar bed because, in addition to their use be located by intensive search of the margins of as road metal, they may be used as structural the mapped area of outcrop of the Sanborn for­ stone and riprap. mation (see pi. 1), especially in places where streams have cut through the formation into un­ Stratigraphic sources and performance derlying stratigraphic units. However, the characteristic s. -- sands and gravels occur as lenses of variable extent, generally with only limited quantities of (1) Sources of aggregate for concrete. The material available. materials listed in the section on aggregate for concrete have been used in Sheridan County as (3) Terrace deposits. One sample of fine road metal on light-traffic roads or as base- aggregate (fa 4) and one sample of mixed aggre­ course material in roads of the black-top type gate (ma 28) were taken from the terrace de­ of construction. Field observation indicates that posits; the sampled localities are mapped on they are adequate for these purposes. Their plate 1, and the test characteristics of the sources have been discussed under Aggregate for samples are given in table 1. Sand and gravel of concrete. the terrace deposits consist predominantly of fragments of granite, quartz, and feldspar. (2) Crushed rock. Basic igneous rocks and fragments of carbonate minerals occur in minor amounts, and chert (a) Smoky Hill chalk member of the also may be present.' Niobrara formation. The Smoky Hill has not been used in this county as road metal, but the The quantity of sand and gravel that can be more chalky limestones in this unit have been obtained trom terrace deposits is not large in­ quarried in other counties in northcentral asmuch as the lenses of sand and gravel are Kansas, crushed, and applied to light-traffic small and not numerous. Other deposits are roads.

11 (b) Mortar bed of the Ogallala forma­ (2) Sanborn formation. One sample (va 1) tion. Mortar beds are numerous in the eastern of volcanic ash of this formation was collected part of the county and are a potential source of and tested. Test characteristics of this mate­ crushed rock for road metal. This use of the rial indicate that it is apparently suitable for mortar bed was not observed in Sheridan County. use as mineral filler. Material from this pit Field observations in other counties indicate was used in the bituminous-mat construction of that performance characteristics of this mate­ Kansas Highway 23 south of Hoxie. rial are satisfactory. The sand and gravel par­ ticles in the mortar bed are bound by the cal­ Other small lenses of volcanic ash undoubtedly cium carbonate cement to form a low-grade occur in the basal part of the Sanborn formation traffic-bound macadam. One sample (mb 1) in other parts of Sheridan County. It is probable that was considered characteristic of the mate­ that exploration for additional deposits should rial has been tested and the location of its first be made in areas near the heads of tribu­ source is mapped on plate 1. tary streams that have cut well down into the basal part of this formation. Mineral filler Riprap Engineering and geologic characteristics. -- Material composed predominantly ol silt-size Engineering and geologic characteristics. -- mineral particles (50 percent or more of the Riprap, as defined in this report, is any mate - material passing the No. 200 sieve) is classi­ rial suitable for protecting earthen fills from fied in this report as mineral filler. It has no erosion. To be acceptable for this use the ma­ more than a trace of sticks or other organic terial must be relatively sound and free from debris, but may contain minor amounts of fine cracks and other structural defects or impur­ sand or clay. W. E. Gibson of the Road Mate­ ities that would cause it to disintegrate through rials Laboratory of the State Highway Com­ erosion, slaking, or freeze-and-thaw. It is de­ mission of Kansas states (personal communi­ sirable that the material be in blocks having cation) that material will qualify for mineral approximately rectangular faces 7 in. or more filler only if laboratory tests indicate a low co­ in width and that the specific gravity be 2. 0 or efficient of cementation. higher.

Stratigraphic sources and performance Stratigraphic sources and performance characteristics. -- The folio wing stratigraphic characteristics. -- units are actual^r potential sources of mineral filler: (1) Smoky Hill chalk member of the Nio- brara formation. Samples from two localities (1) Sanborn formation. Two samples of silt were tested and the results of the tests are from the Sanborn formation (mf 1 and mf 3) presented in table 1 (is 1 and 2). The service were tested for possible use as mineral filler. history of this material used in other counties indicates that the material disintegrates almost (2) Terrace deposits. One sample of mate­ completely in a short time. The silicified beds rial classed as mineral filler was collected from in this member, if extensive enough, would be the terrace deposits (mf 2). The test data for more desirable for this use. this sample are listed in table 1 and the locality is mapped on plate 1. (2) Ogallala formation. Rock from the ledge-forming mortar beds of the Ogallala for­ Volcanic ash mation has been used as riprap in other Kansas counties but its performance is unpredictable Engineering and geologic characteristics. -- and is generally unsatisfactory. Mortar bed is Volcanic ash is sometimes classified as mineral the most wide-spread potential riprap material filler but in the area covered by this report it is in Sheridan County for ledges outcrop in nearly suitable for certain uses for which the usual all parts of the county. silty filler is not suited. Volcanic ash consists predominantlyof the fine, glass-like shards Structural stone ejected during the explosive phase of a volcanic eruption. The deposits may include silt-size Engineering and geologic characteristics. -- particles of other origins and occasional thin Structural stone, as defined in this report, is seams of gravel and sand. any hard, dense rock material that can be quarried and produced to desired size and shape. Stratigraphic sources and performance Materials fulfilling these requirements occur in characteristics. -- the Smoky Hill chalk member of the Niobrara formation and in the Ogallala formation. (1) Ogallala formation. One deposit of vol­ canic ash of this formation was inspected by the Stratigraphic source and performance charac­ field party. The material at this site is limited teristics. -- in quantity and the site is not easily accessible. The ash contains stringers of bentonitic clay. (1) Smoky Hill chalk member of the Niobrara Other deposits of volcanic ash undoubtedly can formation. --Occasional structural use of the be located within the mapped outcrop areas of massive beds of chalk in the Smoky Hill chalk the formation. member was observed in Sheridan County. Field observations indicate that the material is satis­ accepted by the State Highway Commission of factory for this purpose. The building housing Kansas as a potential source of material suit­ the general store in Studley is constructed, in able for use as calcareous binder. The member part, of this material, and the chalk has stood contains numerous beds of chalky limestone up well. The building was constructed in 1898 of which are soft, easily pulverized, and free from chalk and mortar bed, and a natural lime cement deleterious substances. This material can be from Graham County was used. The bond be­ obtained from most of the mapped outcrop ar,eas tween the cement and chalk is still good. Some of the Smoky Hill chalk member in the county. cracks have developed in the blocks of chalk, but these are probably the result of foundation (2) Ogallala formation. Mortar bed in the settling. Ogallala formation has been accepted as cal­ careous binder by the State Highway Commis­ (2) Ogallala formation. Use of ledge- sion of Kansas, and those in Sheridan County form ing 1FnorTaT^bTors~oTTEe Ogallala formation are thought to be suitable for this use. Some of as structural stone was observed in Sheridan the ledges contain coarse sand and gravel which County. The store at Studley, already men­ might affect their acceptability. tioned, is constructed in part of this material. The mortar bed shows little sign of deteriora­ tion in this structure. Mortar bed is also used REFERENCES CITED as foundation stone in farm buildings although in such a use the stone shows signs of deteriora­ American Association of State Highway Officials, tion possibly because of the moist ground in 1947, Standard specifications for highway ma­ contact with it which causes slaking during the" terials and methods of sampling and testing, rainy season and freeze-and-thaw during the pt. 2, 5th ed. , 361 pp. winter months. Congressional documents, 1944, 78th Cong. , 2d sess.,. S. Doc. 191, Missouri River Basin, The test characteristics of mortar bed (table conservation, control, and use of water 1) indicate that it is acceptable for use as reservoirs. structural stone; however, field observations Flora, S. D. , 1948, The climate of Kansas: reveal that the mortar-bed ledges are not Kansas State Board of Agriculture, vol. 67, uniformly hard. The appearance of finished no. 285, 320 pp. structures built of this material may be marred Frye, J. C. , and Fent, Ol S., 1947, Late by the differential weathering of some of the Pleistocene loesses of central Kansas: blocks. Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 70, pt. 3, pp. 41-51. Calcareous binder Frye, J. C. , and Swineford, Ada, 1946, Silicified rock in the Ogallala formation: Engineering and geologic characteristics. -- Kans. Geol. Survey Bull. 64, pt. 2, p. 57. To be classified as calcareous binder the ma- Moore, R. C. , Frye, J. C., and Jewett, J. M., terial must be composed essentially of calcium 1944, Tabular description of outcropping carbonate and must be soft and easily pulver­ rocks in Kansas: Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. ized. A variety of geologic materials is included 52, pt. 4, 212 pp. in this classification. Two local stratigraphic State Highway Commission of Kansas, 1945, units are sources or potential sources of cal­ Standard specifications for State road and careous binder. bridge construction, 512 pp. U. S. Department Commerce, Weather Bur., Stratigraphic sources and performance 1937-46, Climatological data, Kansas characteristics. -- section. Wiimarth, M. G. , 1938, Lexicon of geologic (1) Smoky Hill chalk member of the names of the United States: U. S. Survey Niobrara formation. The Smoky Hill has been Bull. 896, pts. 1 and 2, 2396 pp.

13

IHT.-DW. SBC.. WA3H.. B.C. If a* NORTHWEST QUARTER CIRCULAR II8-PLATE I GEOLOGICAL SURVEY "^t-ir \ JU-frt v-

U...-. i/. i u..

Upper Cretaceous Pleistocene and Recent A.

^ CRETACEOUS TERTIARY QUATERNARY SOUTHWEST QUARTER CIRCULAR MS-PLATE I

I

I

I

R3QW o o Base map prepared by State Highway Commission of Kansas MAP SHOWING CONSTRUCT ON MATERIALS AND GEOLOGY OF S Scale 4 milts 1951 SOUTHEAST QUARTER CIRCULAR 118 y -^ v _-* ix I /v t \ *>* S / _ « I IT IXLI4

Geologic contact

Operated pit or quarry

Prospect pit or quarry

Is Limestone mt> Mortar bed fa Fine aggregate ma Mixed aggregate mf Mineral filler va Volcanic ash

ma Inclined letters indicate materials not tested

ma I Vertical letters indicate materials listed in table I and their sample numbers 1.0 Quantity of material available (in units of 10,000 cubic yards)

Federal (US) highway

State highway

Other roads, all classes

H I I I I I I l- Railroad i^-.s ri ii \ H City

Section line _IL

Township corner r-ArtoH Stream, permanent

Stream, intermittent

Line of cross section, figure 5 (along line between sees. I and 2, T 8'S., R. 26 W., and sees. 35 and 36, T. 8 S., R. 26 W.)

J

Geology by H.V Beck and Robert K. McCormock SHERIDAN COUNTY, KANS. Approximate mean Geology drafted by V L. Stallbaumer and KM. Lay, declination, 19 51 U. S. Geological Survey Table I. Summary of material tests (Blank spaces indicate data not available)

Average 2 5 Location Sieve analysis Description of the material Laboratory test doto Com- Numberplateon |Overburden; £ Percentpassed Specificgrovit) 1- Geologic formation *J> (dry)footcubic m g Accessibility c (wash)No.200 Basicigneous Weightper pressive LosAngeles Cementotion 0 Percenton 1 strength percentloss Labora­ Remarks 1/4fraction 1/4section o. f S i Chertond cholcedony Gradation if Toughness Absorption c (W)Ronge or member 5 Froction Feldspor Ouartzite I ratio | !(feet) I* No.100 S* 0 rocks factor 1 " \ tory No. fe (dry) -1 m s. S J» ^ t 0 | i If I/) 4 sill || ll i il a. m O in 1 u en 5 10 Tr Somewhat plastic when wet. fot NE sw II 6 27 epoo 9 6 Poor Ogollolo USGS 1949 0 1 4 28 91 6.41 98 I 256 269 1 3 1.02 Cl 63765 |Fineaggregate v> 55 S 5 Tr ru 15 Ib C fo2 sw 6 4 Good USGS 1949 0 0 3 25 94 410 1037 2.56 259 0.91 0.98 098 Cl 63769 sw 20 7 26 6,000 Sanborn an 50 10 5 296 so 1 5 4 U Overburden well compacted. fa 3 NW 35 7 27 2,500 6 3 Good Sonborn USGS 1949 0 0 4 37 92 5.44 1069 2.56 293 1.59 131 096 cl 63761 SW 4O 30 ?n 5 5 260 90 10 Occasional cloy bolls. 10 103.4 2.58 2.40 1.33 t.lO 63773 fo4 NW SW 36 26 10,000 .6 2 Good Terrace deposrt USGS 1949 0 2 3 16 97 I.B7 *, HO 10 5 tu IO IO 5 5 D Occasional cloy balls. IO67 256 2.96 1.60 I. IB 096 Cl 63772 mol SW SW 23 6 26 2,500 5 4 Fair Sonborn USGS 1949 1 3 9 39 91 4.9 .V) no IB Tr 5 Tr Tr Tr 293 85 3 5 Tr 6 * C mo 2 NE NE 17 6 27 29.OOO 12 4 Good Sonborn USGS 1949 0 1 6 39 95 3.69 98.1 2.99 3.13 163 1.57 30.0 0.97 Cl 63785 Acceptable under Sec. 67, Kons. Highway Stand. Spec. (ed. 1937). mo 3 SW SE 17 6 27 I.6OO 6 4 Good Terrace deposit SHCK 1941 0 3 9 45 98 0.7 lll.O 262 346 1.22 1.16 st 42776 65 5 15 15 Acceptable under Sec. 106, Kons. Highway Stand. Spec. (ed. 1945). ma 4 SE SW 28 6 27 1,500 Fair SHCK 1946 0 3 14 65 95 2.73 109.9 2.56 3.87 1.35 1.35 st 50759 8 5 Sonborn in 35 i 5 i 75 10 5 r 2 1 C Clayey in basal port. ma 5 SW SE 27 6 28 6,000 6 4 Ogaltolo 1949 , 43 103.6 2.60 326 1.31 1.28 0.99 cl 64071 Good USGS 0 6 96 3O6 F 40 BO I Tr 5 Tr 284 C 90 10 Tr C Limonite stains in upper port. ma 8 NW SW 29 6 28 12,000 6 3 Fair Ogollolo USGS 1949 3 7 41 97 1.88 105.1 260 323 122 124 0.9B Cl 64O69 1 F IB W 20 5 Tr 31.2 C 80 2 10 S LensM of silt ond cloy in tower port. ma 7 NW SE 2 6 30 12,000 12 10 Fair Sonborn USGS 1949 2 8 15 41 94 3.62 107.3 2.57 3.30 1.39 129 C cl 63784 F 40 40 15 5 Tr 276 C 90 3 5 2 C ma 8 SW NW 30 6 30 6 5 Ogaltoto 1949 3.11 106.0 2.59 324 III 1.22 0.97 cl 64070 spoo Good USGS O 3 10 43 95 F 50 40 to Tr Tr 280 C 75 10 Tr 5 10 A Overburden is sandy Silt. ma 9 SW SW 27 7 27 9,000 12 5 Fair Sanborn 1949 23 94 102.1 256 269 1.09 1.09 099 cl 63760 USGS 1 3 5 362 F 40 50 10 Tr Tr Tr Tr 324 C 85 5 5 5 C Overburden is sandy. molO NE SW 17 8 27 SpOO 9 3 Good Ogattato 1055 2.60 310 2.10 1.67 097 cl 6377B USGS 1949 0 3 8 39 92 6.27 F IS 60 20 Tr 5 Tr 36.0 C as 10 5 Some grovel particles coated with lime. mall SW SE II 8 27 1 Fair Sonborn USGS 1949 0 1 7 48 95 353 1064 2.60 3.36 1.54 140 290 0.96 ct 63767 7,500 6 F 30 50 ?0 Tr Tr C 65 5 6 5 ma 12 SE SW 7 8 28 Ogollolo 108.2 2.60 3.33 1.99 1.47 30.2 0.98 Cl 64O68 I2.OOO 6 2 Good USGS 1949 0 4 to 45 95 269 F If) 4f> 30 10 Tr C 80 3 5 I 1 10 Overburden is somewhat silty. Acceptable under Sec. 106, mo 13 NE NW II 6 28 20,000 6 3 Good San barn SHCK 1946 1 3 9 43 96 267 IO9.6 2.60 3.29 1.29 1.26 st 50734 F 40 40 15 Tr 5 Tr Kons. Highway Stand. Spec. fed. 19451 C 85 10 5 mo 14 SW SW 34 8 28 2,000 6 4 Good Sanborn SHCK 1948 0 2 8 50 95 104.4 2.61 3.48 133 1.40 28.0 098 59195 F 40 60 Tr Tr C rX> 2 2 2 2 20 2 Overburden is silt. mo 19 SW 2,200 6 4 Fair Sanborn USGS 1949 1 2 6 29 92 397 1096 2.60 278 143 1 15 27.7 0.97 cl 63771 NW 26 8 29 F Jtt 60 fl 75 5 5 IS Particles well rounded. 5 105.0 2.60 256 0.84 1.01 0.97 It st 64067 mate SE SE 28 8 29 6,000 6 2 Good Ogollolo USGS 1949 1 3 5 23 95 1.90 25 Tr Tr 306 ]Unedoggregate F 70 5 C 90 5 Tr 5 ma 17 NW NW 9 26 39,000 19 4 Good Ogollolo US9S 1949 0 3 9 47 97 1.32 1105 2.60 336 1.56 142 286 097 63777 9 F 50 50 Tr Tr Tr C n 3 9 10 5 2 mo 18 SE SW Ogollolo 107.7 2.60 2.B2 142 135 282 099 cl 59196 3 9 28 6,000 6 4 Good SHCK 1948 0 2 5 29 94 3.57 F 30 40 30 Tr 85 3 Upper 4 feet well compacted; cloy lens I foot thick near base ma 19 SW 1949 £ 5 2 5 107.5 2.50 3.39 I.9B r.98 29.4 Q96 Cl 63774 NE 9 9 28 iopoo 9 5 Fair Sonborn USGS 0 2 7 48 96 347 F 50 4O 5 5 Tr Tr C 65 5 3 5 ma 20 sw NW 9 9 28 5,000 6 2 Good Ogollolo USGS 1949 0 1 5 25 96 1.66 2 108.2 2.60 2.67 0.96 1.04 270 098 Cl 63761 F 40 50 5 5 Tr Tr C 90 5 5 Acceptable under Sec. 67, Kons. Highway Stand. Spec. (ed. 1937). ma 21 NE SW 10 9 28 Fair Ogollolo 372 1.14 1 10 st 39440 21,000 9 2 SHCK 1940 1 5 15 54 98 0.6 F 50 40 5 5 Tr C ao 5 3 2 10 mo 22 NW 13 9 IO Good Ogattoto USGS 1949 0 2 32 95 2.44 IO95 260 293 131 1.25 31.0 099 cl 63764 SE 28 iopoo 2 5 F 30 50 15 Tr Tr Tr 5 C 65 5 5 25 ma 23 NW NW 15 9 28 epoo 6 2 Good Ogollolo USGS 1949 3 6 10 35 98 1.40 107.9 2.60 3.34 1.66 1.52 35.4 ct 63783 F 15 50 25 10 Tr 90 5 Overburden is loose silt, sand, ond grovel. ma 24 SE NW 20 9 29 8 4 Good Sonborn USGS 1949 4 7 34 97 0.79 c Tr 5 2.61 3.O4 spoo 1 F 50 40 5 5 111.4 171 1.38 28.0 098 st 64066 C 85 to 5 ma 25 SW 10,000 6 3 Fair Ogollolo SHCK 1942 4 114-9 2.61 356 1.32 1.20 290 0.48 44923 Acceptable under Sees, 69, 67. 69, 71, 73, ond 79, Kons. NE 2O 9 30 9 15 48 96 F 40 40 10 5 5 Highway Stand. Spec. (ed. 1937). 65 20 2 10 3 Overburden is clayey silt. mo 26 SW SW 23 10 26 spoo 6 5 Fair Sonborn USGS 1949 0 2 7 32 95 4.13 C 1080 2.50 2.95 1.50 1.22 2B4 0.98 cl 63766 F I} 70 15 Tr Tr Tr C 90 3 Tr Tr 2 5 Contains thin seams of mortar bed ond some cloy bolls. mo 27 SW SW 31 IO 26 12 1 Good Ogollolo USGS 1949 0 1 9 39 94 5.48 103.7 2.59 3.19 1.15 l.tl 31.2 098 Cl 63762 iopoo F 50 35 10 Tr 5 1r Tr C 65 2 3 9 25 Contains large particles of chalk, siliceous cholK.ond mo 28 NE NE 32 IO 26 iopoo 6 2 Good Terrace deposit USGS 1949 0 2 6 33 98 137 104.6 2.59 323 1.77 1.40 335 094 cl 63776 F 20 50 25 Tr 5 Tr mortar bed fragments. C 60 5 30 5 Overburden of silt, sand, ond grovel. Contains calcareous mo 29 SW SW 27 27 1949 5 II 41 92 6.11 103.9 2£0 3.IB 1.27 1.27 332 0.91 cl 63759 to 2,900 5 5 Good Sonborn USGS 0 F 25 50 15 Tr Tr Tr 10 concretions ond some cloy bolts. C /O IO IO S 5 SW SW 18 10 9 Good 1949 1046 259 3.16 1.25 1.24 360 098 st 64O64 Limonite (brown) stain throughout. ma 30 28 7,500 2 Ogollolo USGS 0 3 7 38 97 2.07 F 40 40 15 Tr 3 2 C 80 10 5 1 2 2 Some large mortar bed fragments ond smalt cloy bolls. Acceptable ma 31 SW NE 24 10 28 2,000 5 3 Fair Sonborn SHCK 1942 1076 258 358 1.15 1.12 288 094 44924 F 30 50 20 Tr Tr Tr under Sees 65,67, 69, 7f,U «M 79, Kons Highway Stand. Spec. fed 1937). C SO Tr 10 10 Tr Acceptable under Sees 65, 67 69, 71, 73, ond 75, Kons mo 32 NE NE 25 10 28 iopoo 12 3 Good Ogollolo SHCK 1942 0 1 5 46 93 56 107.8 2.54 320 1 15 0.99 278 O.97 ct 44925 F 40 35 20 Tr 5. Tr Highway Stand Spec. (ed. 1937). C 80 10 3 6 1 mo 33 NE SE 27 10 28 4,500 9 6 Good Ogoltoto USGS 1949 0 1 5 36 96 2.38 107.6 2.60 294 167 1 37 31.3 cl 63770 F 40 50 10 Tr Tr Tr C 9O 1 5 1 3 Acceptable under Sees. 65, 67 69, 71, 73, ond 75, Kons. ma 34 NE SE 31 10 28 4POO 6 3 Fair Ogollolo SHCK 1942 4 6 II 43 96 24 1096 2.55 343 1.20 1.26 30.2 Cl 44927 F 20 50 25 5 Tr 099 Highway Stand Spec, (ed 1937) C 80 5 S 5 Tr Acceptable under Sees. 65, 67. 69, 71, 73, ond 75, Kons. mo35 C SW 36 10 29 4pOO 6 1 Fair Ogaltato SHCK 1942 2 4 8 28 97 2.0 5 F 30 50 Ift Tr 5 109.1 2.57 3O6 1.06 1 17 280 0.98 Cl 44928 Highway Stand. Spec. (ed. 1937). .V C 00 mo 36 SE SE 23 10 30 12,000 9 4 Good Sanborn USGS 1949 0 3 10 93 4.33 104.0 2.58 3O9 1.25 1.12 32.0 0.99 st 64O65 ll 3B F 35 50 10 Tr Tr 5 3 val NW NW 34 8 28 3pOO 6 8 Good Sonborn USGS 1949 0 0 .0 0 3 866 56.0 232 1 63763 Light-brown silty cloy. mf I NE NE 15 8 27 90POO 15 ' Good Sanborn USGS 1949 0 0 99 100* Plasticity index -2; liquid limit = 31. Cementotion factor 740 66910 excessive Light-brown silty cloy Plasticity index ' 8, liquid limit: 29. Cementotion factor high. mf2 NE SE 22 8 27 80,000 12 2 Good Terroce deposit USGS 1949 0 4 91 86.0 90 66906 Plasticity index = II; liquid limit * 34. Cementation factor mf 3 SW SW 19 8 29 lOQCOO 15 2 Good Sanborn USGS 1949 0 99 Light-brown silty cloy 720 100* 66909 excessive. Ve low ond brawn limestone ond some chert. s| Isl SW NE 23 8 26 4.OOO 12 5 Fair Smoky Hill USGS 1949 1.54 86.0 031 2545 63782 Vellowish gray ond brown limestone ond some J. Is 2 SE SW 35 10 26 II.OOO 15 Good Smoky Hill 2 USGS 1949 brown chert. 1.72 58.2 0.50 1622 63775 mbl NW NW 10 8 26 40,000 8 4 Fair Ogallolo SHCK 1937 Fine sand cemented with calcium carbonate; not il . gray. Commonly colled mortar bed 2.11 303 sound 4 32499

1. SHCK, State Highway Commission of Kansas: sieve analysis ond laboratory tests by SHCK. USGS, U. S. Geological Survey: sample collection ond description of material by USGS. 2. C, coarse fraction, retained an No. 4 sieve; F, fine fraction, passed through No 4 sieve; Tr, trace. 3. Loss ratio. 4. cl, clear; st, straw; It st, light straw