Definitions
of Subsurface Water
| Water Table: | depth at which water is at atmospheric pressure |
| Ground Water: | water below water table, under positive gage pressure |
| Vadose Water: | water above water table, under negative gage pressure |
| Unsaturated Zone: | depths at which pores are not completely filled with
water (volumetric water content < porosity) |
| Saturated Zone: | depths at which pores are completely filled with
water (volumetric water content = porosity) |
| Capillary Fringe: | zone between water table and top of the saturated zone, pores are saturated but at less than atmospheric pressure |