Groundwater

What do you remember about how we get water from underground? Dig below the water table Dig below the water table Aquifer Aquifer Springs Springs

Where Does it Come From Precipitation! Precipitation! Water from the water cycle that precipitates can either runoff the surface, be evaporated or get soaked up into the soil, which is called groundwater Water from the water cycle that precipitates can either runoff the surface, be evaporated or get soaked up into the soil, which is called groundwater Water trickles between rocks, roots, and soil because gravity pulls it toward the center of the earth Water trickles between rocks, roots, and soil because gravity pulls it toward the center of the earth

Water can either easily pass through these underground materials or not so easily Water can either easily pass through these underground materials or not so easily Permeable means there are connected pores in the materials that can filter water through…ex: sand Permeable means there are connected pores in the materials that can filter water through…ex: sand Impermeable means that these pores do not exist and water cannot pass through easily…ex: clay Impermeable means that these pores do not exist and water cannot pass through easily…ex: clay

Water Zones Once water reaches an impermeable layer, it is trapped. This creates a saturated zone, or where the permeable materials are totally soaked and full of water Once you dig past this zone, you have hit the water table, or where you can obtain groundwater! Once you dig past this zone, you have hit the water table, or where you can obtain groundwater!

Sources of Groundwater Springs: where groundwater bubble up through permeable materials or rock Springs: where groundwater bubble up through permeable materials or rock Aquifers: underground layer of rock and sediment that holds water Aquifers: underground layer of rock and sediment that holds water Well: we can obtain water from aquifers using wells Well: we can obtain water from aquifers using wells Dry well: the level of water in the aquifer is low and the well cannot reach it Dry well: the level of water in the aquifer is low and the well cannot reach it Artesian well: water rises naturally due to pressure. Water gets trapped between two impermeable layers and has nowhere to go but up! Artesian well: water rises naturally due to pressure. Water gets trapped between two impermeable layers and has nowhere to go but up! Geyser: when water is heated by hot rocks below the surface, you can have hot springs or geysers that erupt due to pressure Geyser: when water is heated by hot rocks below the surface, you can have hot springs or geysers that erupt due to pressure

Tell Me What You Have Learned! How do we get groundwater? What is a saturated zone? How can we get groundwater to the surface? Why are hot springs and geysers warm?