What is the term for the height to which water will rise in a well?

The term for the height to which water will rise in a well is referred to as the piezometric surface. This surface represents the pressure head of groundwater and indicates the level to which water would rise in a piezometer or well due to hydrostatic pressure. When you measure the height of water in a well, it reflects the hydraulic pressure at that point, and this is denoted as the piezometric surface.

The piezometric surface is important because it helps to understand the behavior of groundwater within an aquifer system and is influenced by factors such as recharge areas, extraction rates, and geological formations. This concept plays a crucial role in groundwater management and in ensuring sustainable water resource practices.

In contrast, the hydraulic gradient refers to the slope of the groundwater surface and is a measure of the change in hydraulic head over a certain distance. The water table is the upper surface of the saturated zone in unconfined groundwater. Static level indicates the depth of water in a well when it is not being pumped, which may differ from the height water could rise to under certain conditions.