Hydraulic Head Across Aquifers

Objectives: Determine the hydraulic head across an aquifer system with two distinct hydraulic conductivities.


1. As water flow from one aquifer to another aquifer with differing hydraulic conductivities there must be a change in hydraulic head or a change in discharge.  In the problem below, we are going to assume that water flow from Well A to Well C, through a two-aquifer system.  Both aquifers are confined by an upper shale unit and the discharge (Q) through the aquifers is 20 m3/day.   Using the foldable aquifer model address the following problems.

A. Determine the hydraulic head in Well B. 

B.  Determine the hydraulic head in Well C.

C.  Identify if the aquifer at Well C is confined or unconfined based on the water level in the well.

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