does groundwater flow into streams or does stream water flow into the ground?

Question

i need to know which one occurs...im doing a natural science take home test.

Answer 1

both depending on the type of aquifer. If a stream is higher than the water table then stream water can recharge the aquifer (loosing stream). If a stream is lower than the water table then the aquifer can add to the stream flow (gaining stream). This can be seen where a groundwater spring runs down into a stream. Also a stream can be part of the aquifer that is exposed, for example if the ground level dips below the water table (flow through stream). This can create a swamp, billabong or similar.

Answer 2

The definition of 'baseflow' in a stream is the flow that occurs when all water in the stream is coming from the ground (no runoff), so groundwater running into streams is the dominant process that occurs at a basin scale.

At smaller scales, water constantly leaves streams by sinking into the substrate due to hydraulic pressure or circumstances where the stream is perched above the water table. Water re-enters the stream when the channel elevation dips below the elevation of the water table, or groundwater is forced to the surface by hydraulic pressure. This process is called hyporheic exchange.

Water is occasionally lost completely from a stream when it drops into a fracture, or sink created by caves or lava tubes.

Answer 3

Both! When it rains or snow and ice melt, groundwater levels increase and water flows from groundwater into streams and lakes. During drought, groundwater levels drop and, when they become lower than the water level in a lake or stream, water flows from the lake or stream into the groundwater until the drought ends or the lake or stream runs out of water.

Answer 4

ground water into streams.
when it rains, old groundwater is pushed in to streams in an arcing motion so the water is coming up underneath.

it is possibly for water to be lost by seepage in dry conditions, man-made channels and in sandy soils however the silt will often "waterproof" the bottom of a stream.

Answer 5

It's groundwater to streams, even though are such things as underground streams. But even underground streams, which some people use as wells are fed by groundwater.

Answer 6

From streams to ground. Rain feeds the streams.

Answer 7

both depending on the weather. if there is a lot of rain then the ground water would rush into the stream and because the stream is also getting raind on with the runnoff water then it will overflow and runn into the land.

Answer 8

They can both occur depending on season. Look up losing and gaining streams.

http://groundwater.orst.edu/under/surface.html

Answer 9

both...depends