For groundwater studies, what is the term for the elevation of the water table?

The term for the elevation of the water table is known as the potentiometric surface. This concept represents the level to which groundwater would rise in a well or piezometer, reflecting the pressure of the groundwater within an aquifer. The potentiometric surface is especially important in understanding the behavior of groundwater flow and the relationships between different aquifers in an area.

When analyzing groundwater, the potentiometric surface serves as a critical reference for groundwater management and resource development. It indicates the potential energy available to drive the flow of groundwater, which can assist in predicting how water moves through the subsurface environment. This is not the same as the water table itself, which is the upper level of the saturated zone where the pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure.

Other terms listed serve different functions in groundwater studies. For example, the hydraulic gradient refers to the slope of the water table, while a water surface profile typically represents the configuration of water levels in rivers or lakes. A groundwater recharge zone is an area where surface water infiltrates down to replenish the aquifer, rather than representing the elevation of the water table itself.