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Figure 25. Conceptual models show bay-to-ocean groundwater flow during a falling and rising ocean tide (from Reich et al., 2002). (A) Net flow direction is seaward in the upper Keys approximately two-thirds of the time. (B) Graph shows pressure head in underwater monitoring wells on both sides of Key Largo during a rising and falling ocean tide. Corresponding conceptual model shows ocean-to-bay groundwater flow that occurs approximately one-third of the time. Pressure head at both well clusters was measured with an underwater manometer (Reich, 1996). Tidal fluctuation in Florida Bay was 3 cm over the 10-hour observation period. Arrows above wells indicate direction water would flow if well caps were removed. Models are not to scale.

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Coastal & Marine Geology Program > Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies > Professional Paper 1751