HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

HYDROLOGIC CYCLE The hydrologic cycle is a constant movement of water above, on, and below the earth's surface. It is a cycle that replenishes ground water supplies. It begins as water vaporizes into the atmosphere from vegetation, soil, lakes, rivers, snowfields and oceans-a process called evapotranspiration. As the water vapor rises it condenses to form clouds that return water to the land through precipitation: rain, snow, or hail. Precipitation falls on the earth and either …

…of withdrawal.The movement of water from an aquifer into a well alters the surface of the aquifer around the well. It forms what is called a cone of depression. A cone of depression is a funnel-shaped drop in the aquifer's surface. The well itself penetrates the bottom of the cone. Within a cone of depression, all ground water flows to the well. The outer limits of the cone define the well's area of influence.