Figure 1. Schematic cross section of a sand and gravel aquifer in Maine. The blue line in the diagram is the water table. The area below the water table is called the saturated zone, where all pore spaces between the sediment particles are filled with water. In order to yield water, a well must extend below the water table into the saturated zone. Notice that the water table corresponds to the water level in most wells and in the stream. The blue box to the right of the gravel-packed well shows the area described in Figure 2.

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Last updated on October 6, 2005

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