Hydraulic Gradient

Top Previous Next

Definition

The rate of change in the total hydraulic head per unit distance of flow in a given direction .

Description

The slope of the water table or piezometric surface. This is the change in the hydraulic head over a certain distance.  Mathematically it is the difference in hydraulic head over a distance along the flow path between two points.

Why is hydraulic gradient important?

Hydraulic gradient provides an indication of the direction of groundwater flow.

Source: www.ust.smoothstone.com/groundwater_intro