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The Aquifer

Discover the importance of groundwater protection in the Southern Willamette Valley. Learn where drinking water comes from, types of aquifers, and how groundwater moves. Explore the vital role of groundwater in Oregon's water sources and irrigation. Create your aquifer and experiment with it!

jlieberman
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The Aquifer

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  1. The Aquifer Groundwater Protection in the Southern Willamette Valley

  2. What we’ll cover: • Where drinking water comes from. • What is groundwater? • What is an aquifer? • Types of aquifers. • How groundwater moves in the aquifer? • Create your own aquifer and experiment with it!

  3. What is Groundwater? • Groundwater is waterlocated beneath the ground surface in pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. • The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock become completely saturated with water is called the water table. • A saturated area that can hold a usable amount of water is called the aquifer.

  4. Global Freshwater Resources (< 3% of All Water on Planet!) < 1% 25.92% 74.07%

  5. Why is Groundwater Important? • Groundwater is a major source of water for lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands • Groundwater is a significant source of irrigation water in Oregon • 50% of all Oregonians and 90% of all rural residents in the state rely solely on groundwater for their drinking water 3,825,6572009 population estimate

  6. Type of Aquifers • Confined - more protected from surface contamination. Typically occur at deeper depths. Are characterized by having a layer of heavy clay or bedrock that “confine” it from the surface. • Unconfined – this type has little to no protection from surface contamination. Normally found at shallower depths and have faster draining soils above them.

  7. Unconfined aquifer Heavy clay Confined aquifer Bedrock

  8. From Surface to Groundwater

  9. Groundwater Flow • Flow can change with the seasons • Drier months - groundwater tends to flow toward rivers, lakes, and streams. • Wetter months - these same rivers, lakes, and streams can actually provide recharge to the aquifer.

  10. Aquifer Activity

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