Most of the water reaching Earth will keep moving downward into the ground to fill the aquifer, an area where all the spaces are filled with water. At the top point of this saturated zone you see the water table. Some of the underground blue arrows show how, in this situation, some water moves towards the stream. Explain how this could happen.

Question

Responses
A All the blue arrows show that groundwater flows downhill and accumulates in the stream.All the blue arrows show that groundwater flows downhill and accumulates in the stream.
B The blue arrows should groundwater moving downward because of gravity. When all water spaces are filled in the aquifer, water begins moving up.The blue arrows should groundwater moving downward because of gravity. When all water spaces are filled in the aquifer, water begins moving up.
C The bottom of the streambed is lower than the water table, and intersects the aquifer. Because of this, water still enters the streamed from the ground.The bottom of the streambed is lower than the water table, and intersects the aquifer. Because of this, water still enters the streamed from the ground.
D Water moves in a cycle. The blue arrows show how water moves in that cycle from precipitation through the Earth: surface water, groundwater and back into the atmosphere.Water moves in a cycle. The blue arrows show how water moves in that cycle from precipitation through the Earth: surface water, groundwater and back into the atmosphere.

Answer 1

The best response to explain how some water moves towards the stream in this situation is:

C: The bottom of the streambed is lower than the water table and intersects the aquifer. Because of this, water still enters the stream from the ground.

This response accurately describes the relationship between the water table, the aquifer, and the streambed, indicating that groundwater can flow into the stream when the streambed is lower than the surrounding water table.