water table

water table
1. the planar, underground surface beneath which earth materials, as soil or rock, are saturated with water.
2. Archit. a projecting stringcourse or similar structural member placed so as to divert rain water from a building.
Also, watertable.
[1400-50; late ME]

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or groundwater table

Surface of a body of underground water below which the soil or rocks are permanently saturated with water.

The water table separates the groundwater zone (zone of saturation) that lies below it from the zone of aeration that lies above it. The water table fluctuates both with the seasons and from year to year because it is affected by climatic variations and by the amount of precipitation used by vegetation. It also is affected by withdrawing excessive amounts of water from wells or by recharging them artificially. See also aquifer.

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also called  Groundwater Table,  

      upper level of an underground surface in which the soil or rocks are permanently saturated with water. The water table separates the groundwater zone that lies below it from the capillary fringe, or zone of aeration, that lies above it. The water table fluctuates both with the seasons and from year to year because it is affected by climatic variations and by the amount of precipitation used by vegetation. It also is affected by withdrawing excessive amounts of water from wells or by recharging them artificially. See also aquifer.

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