On the leakage assumption applied to equations of groundwater flow

The behaviour and the delayed response of flow to a well in an unconfined aquifer is considered on the basis of recognition of the variable vertical movement of flow inherent in unconfined flow. The effect of elastic storage is taken into account.The typical S-shaped form of the characteristic time-drawdown curve of an unconfined aquifer is analysed. A procedure for determining the unconfined parameters is described.It is shown that the vertical components of flow are a significant factor in the delayed response of an unconfined aquifer while the contribution of the unsaturated zone is essentially subordinate. An equation including allowance for the drainage from the unsaturated zone is derived.