Classifying the water table at regional to continental scales

Tom Gleeson; Lars Marklund; Leslie Smith; Andrew H. Manning

doi:10.1029/2010gl046427

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Classifying the water table at regional to continental scales

Tom Gleeson·Lars Marklund·Leslie Smith·Andrew H. Manning

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Abstract

Water tables at regional to continental scales can be classified into two distinct types: recharge-controlled water tables that are largely disconnected from topography and topography-controlled water tables that are closely tied to topography. We use geomatic synthesis of hydrologic, geologic and topographic data sets to quantify and map water-table type over the contiguous United States using a dimensionless criterion introduced by Haitjema and Mitchell-Bruker (2005), called the water-table ratio, which differentiates water-table type. Our analysis indicates that specific regions of the United States have broadly contiguous and characteristic water-table types. Water-table ratio relates to water-table depth and the potential for regional groundwater flow. In regions with recharge-controlled water tables, for example the Southwest or Rocky Mountains, USA, water-tables depths are generally greater and more variable and regional groundwater flow is generally more important as a percentage of the watershed budget. Water-table depths are generally shallow and less variable, and regional groundwater flow is limited in areas with topography-controlled water tables such as the Northeast USA. The water-table ratio is a simple but powerful criterion for evaluating regional groundwater systems over broad areas.

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Geophysical Research Letters Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 24.856534339310674° to 49.38237278700955° latitude; -124.69482421875° to -66.961669921875° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

Tom Gleeson, Lars Marklund, Leslie Smith, Andrew H. Manning. 2011-03-05. Classifying the water table at regional to continental scales. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010gl046427

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