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Groundwater Flow Rate Calculator

Groundwater Flow Rate

Calculate groundwater flow velocity and discharge rate using hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic gradient, and aquifer cross-sectional area.

Formula

Darcy Velocity (v) = K x i; Seepage Velocity = v / n (effective porosity); Discharge (Q) = K x i x A; Travel Time = Distance / Seepage Velocity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Darcy velocity vs seepage velocity?
Darcy velocity is the apparent flow rate through the entire cross-section. Seepage velocity is the actual speed water moves through pore spaces, which is always faster since water only flows through the pores, not the solid rock.
What is hydraulic conductivity?
Hydraulic conductivity measures how easily water flows through soil or rock. Sand and gravel have high values (1-1000 m/day), while clay has very low values (less than 0.001 m/day).
How fast does groundwater move?
Groundwater typically moves very slowly, from centimeters per day to a few meters per day. In highly permeable gravel aquifers, it can move faster, but it is generally much slower than surface water.

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