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Unconfined Aquifer

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Unconfined Aquifer

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Definition

An aquifer where the water table is the upper boundary and with no confining layer between the water table and the ground surface.  The water table is free to fluctuate up and down.

Synonym

Water Table Aquifer

Description

An aquifer without an upper confining layer of impermeable or low permeability soil or rock material. The water table is exposed to the atmosphere through a series of interconnected openings in the overlying soil and/or rock layers and is in equilibrium with atmospheric pressure.

Why are unconfined aquifers important?

Unconfined aquifers are generally more susceptible to contamination than confined aquifers.

 

 

Unconfined Aquifer