What does it mean if the potentiometric surface does NOT reach above the ground surface?
A) The aquifer does not have any recharge into it and thus is dry.
B) There will not be any artesian wells or springs associated with the aquifer.
C) It will not be possible to pull water out of the aquifer from any type of well.
D) The aquifer does not have a high enough permeability to produce water.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the potentiometric surface does not extend above the ground surface, it means that there is no artesian pressure associated with the aquifer. Artesian pressure occurs when there is a confined aquifer and the water is under enough pressure to flow to the surface without pumping. If the potentiometric surface does not reach above the ground surface, there will be no artesian wells or springs associated with the aquifer. The other options (A, C, and D) are not necessarily true based on this information alone.

What Does It Mean If the Potentiometric Surface Does NOT