Growth and decay of groundwater‐mounds in response to uniform percolation

Abstract

The rise and decay of the water table in response to deep percolation depends on the shape of the recharging area, among other factors. Solutions describing this phenomenon when the recharging area is rectangular or circular in shape are developed for the case where the underlying aquifer is effectively infinite in areal extent. The solution when the recharging area is circular is given in terms of a function that can be easily tabulated for a practical range of the parameters. Approximate solutions in terms of already tabulated functions are presented also. The solution when the recharging area is rectangular is obtained in terms of a function that depends on two parameters. This function is tabulated for a wide range of the parameters. This tabulation, as well as approximate relations, affords a means for relatively simple calculation. The solutions are applicable if the rise of the water table relative to the initial depth of saturation does not exceed 50%.