1. Groundwater Features © Copyright 2007. M. J. Krech. What is a Water Table?

2. FOCUS QUESTION: What is a Water Table?

3. First you need to remember that solid rock (the bedrock or parent rock of all soil) is not solid! It contains pore spaces. First Things First:

4. air spaces These air spaces can be filled with air or water.

5. Sedimentary rocks, like limestone, have pore spaces that are large enough for water to pass through. Permeable means…

6. Metamorphic rocks, like shale, have very tiny pore spaces that don’t let water pass through. Impermeable means…

7. So what is Permeability? Permeability is the ability of soil or rock to allow water to pass through.

8. The Water Cycle tells us that water seeps into the ground by percolation.

9. is where the pore spaces are filled with water. The Zone of Saturation

10. is where the pore spaces are filled with air and some water. The Zone of Aeration

11. Groundwater occupies the Zone of Saturation. Soil Horizons Notice the Soil Horizons are very close to the surface. What is below the Soil Horizons?

12. The Water Table separates the Zone of Saturation from the Zone of Aeration.

13. The Water Table is the TOP of the Zone of Saturation. It tells us how deep we have to drill before we find water.

14. … means we can’t reach the water and the well has run dry. A low Water Table …

15. NOT …means the well is NOT dry, but is pumping plenty of water. A high Water Table … We don’t have to restrict the use of water now.

16. Drilling for Water $2,000 to $10,000 Drilling for water can cost from $2,000 to $10,000 -- depending on how deep the water table is!

17. BONUSQUESTIONS: 1. What is a Water Table? 2. Why is it important to know where the Water Table is? © Copyright 2007. M. J. Krech.