Hydrology Sprint Flashcards
water water wet water
Where is the most freshwater stored?
In glaciers
Rain shadow effect
Mountains force clouds to rise into colder atmosphere, which cools/condenses them and makes them expend precipitation on the windward side. Leeward side gets all dry and sad as a result.
Unsaturated zone
Shallowest level, pores contain air as well as water. Aka vadose zone.
Saturated zone
Underneath unsaturated zone. Pores completely full of water. Aka phreatic zone.
Groundwater table
Boundary between unsaturated and saturated zones. Aka water table.
Water table topography
Water table follows general surface topography, but with less steep slopes. We can map it by digging wells in several places. (If you dig below the water table, water will rush in and fill the hole!)
Recharge
Infiltration of water into subsurface formation, “recharges” the water table/raises it.
Discharge
Movement of groundwater to the surface, “discharges” water into other areas, water table lowers.
Influent stream
Runs above the water table, so water permeates/goes down to the water table, recharging it.
Effluent stream
Runs below the water table, so water is taken from the water table to fill it, discharging it.
Aquifers
Rock formations through which enough groundwater flows to supply wells.
Recharge area
Region that specifically recharges a confined aquifer–special because rainfall directly above a confined aquifer doesn’t actually recharge it due to aquiclude
Unconfined Aquifer
Water travels through regions of relatively uniform permeability. At the height of the water table.
Confined aquifer
Aquifer bounded by aquicludes both above and below.
Artesian flow
Water moving through a confined aquifer. Water is under pressure because of the weight of water from higher parts of the aquifer–as such, no energy is needed to pump it to the surface.
