potentiometric surface

American  

noun

1. the hypothetical level to which trapped water would rise if it was able to flow freely.

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potentiometric surface Scientific  

/ pə-tĕn′shē-ə-mĕt′rĭk /

1. A hypothetical surface representing the level to which groundwater would rise if not trapped in a confined aquifer (an aquifer in which the water is under pressure because of an impermeable layer above it that keeps it from seeking its level). The potentiometric surface is equivalent to the water table in an unconfined aquifer.

2. See illustration at artesian well

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Example Sentences

Groundwater emerges at the land surface when the potentiometric surface or water table intersects the land surface.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

In some situations, the potentiometric surface may be above the ground level.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The red dashed line in Figure 14.6 is the potentiometric surface for the confined aquifer, and it describes the total energy that water is under within the confined aquifer.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The water table, or potentiometric surface, will slope in toward the well where the water is being withdrawn.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Figure 14.6 A depiction of the water table and the potentiometric surface of a confined aquifer.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015