Geology for Land-Use Planning of the Muskogee Area, Muskogee County, Oklahoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to contribute to efficient land-use by documenting the geology of the Muskogee, Oklahoma area in a manner that will allow the geologic information to be understood and used by the public. Five maps show the existin~ geologic elements of the area and the factors that will effect the planning and development of the area: (1) an Environmental Geology Map, (2) a Land-resource Capability Map, (3) a Current Land-use Map, (4) a Relief Map, and (5) a Floodprone AreasMap. The study area is in the northeastern'corner of Muskogee County; it incorporates about 120 square miles. The Environmental Geology Map is a map of rock units: shale, sandstone, limestone, interbedded sandstone and shale, interbedded limestone and shale, terrace depdsits and flood-plain alluvium. This method of mapping, as compared to mapping of formal stratigraphic units, is considered to be more useful to the public. The map represents what rock one should find in outcrops and what rock may be expected to be encountered beneath the soil.The Land-resource Capabilities Map incorporates soil units and manmade units along the rock units and presents a realistic description of the field situation. The mapping units are classified according to thickness, engineering properties, chemical properties and physical properties of the soil. From these classifications the units are rated for specific uses of the land. The Current Land-use Map shows the current general uses of the area's land, and the Relief Map shows the major features of the topography. The Flood-prone Area Map shows the 100-year floodplains; it will be useful as urban development extends along the streams. 2 These five maps are intended for use in a' broad, regional study of the Muskogee area. They are not of sufficient detail to be used in making the final commitment of a tract of land.