water table, the top zone of soil and rock in which all voids are saturated with water. The level of the water table varies with topography and climate.
Surface of a body of underground water below which the soil or rocks are permanently saturated with water. The water table separates the groundwater zone (zone of saturation) that lies below it from the zone of aeration that lies above it. The water table fluctuates both with the seasons and from year to year because it is affected by climatic variations and by the amount of precipitation used by vegetation. It also is affected by withdrawing excessive amounts of water from wells or by recharging them artificially. See also aquifer.
water table
water table [′wȯd·ər ‚tā·bəl]
Water Table
water table
or groundwater table)
Seasonal variations in groundwater levels.
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water table
1. the surface of the water-saturated part of the ground, usually following approximately the contours of the overlying land surface
2. an offset or string course that has a moulding designed to throw rainwater clear of the wall below
water table [′wȯd·ər ‚tā·bəl]
(building construction)
A ledge or slight projection of the masonry or wood construction on the exterior of a foundation wall, or just above it, to protect the foundation by directing rainwater away from the wall. Also known as canting strip.
(hydrology)
The planar surface between the zone of saturation and the zone of aeration. Also known as free-water elevation; free-water surface; groundwater level; groundwater surface; groundwater table; level of saturation; phreatic surface; plane of saturation; saturated surface; water level; waterline.
water table
water table, 1
1. A horizontal exterior ledge on a wall, pier, buttress, etc.; often sloped and provided with a drip molding to prevent water from running down the face of the lower portion; also called an offset, 1. Also see base course, drip cap.
2. Same as groundwater level.
Water Table
the water surface of rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water or the surface of unpressured ground-water. In the latter case the upper boundary (surface) of groundwater in the water-bearing stratum is the water table. The groundwater table slopes in the direction of water movement and reflects the relief of the surface in subdued form. If the groundwater fills enclosed depressions in a water-resistant bed, its surface becomes horizontal. The outlines of the groundwater table in plan view are depicted on a map by means of water table contours.
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