Groundwater discharge

Groundwater discharge is the volumetric flow rate of groundwater through an aquifer.

Total groundwater discharge, as reported through a specified area, is similarly expressed as:

${\displaystyle Q={\frac {dh}{dl}}KA}$

where

Q is the total groundwater discharge ([L³·T⁻¹]; m³/s),

K is the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer ([L·T⁻¹]; m/s),

dh/dl is the hydraulic gradient ([L·L⁻¹]; unitless), and

A is the area which the groundwater is flowing through ([L²]; m²)

For example, this can be used to determine the flow rate of water flowing along a plane with known geometry.