The rate of groundwater flow through a body of rock or sediment depends ____________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Groundwater flow rate is dependent on both the slope of the water table and the permeability of the rock or sediment. The slope of the water table will affect the gradient or difference in hydraulic head between any two points, which will impact the flow rate. However, the permeability of the rock or sediment will determine how quickly water can flow through the system once a gradient is established. Porosity does not have a direct impact on the flow rate, although it can affect the total volume of groundwater that can be stored in the system.

The Rate of Groundwater Flow Through a Body of Rock