What terminology refers to the depression of the water table near a well during pumping?

The term that describes the depression of the water table around a well during the process of pumping is the "cone of depression." This phenomenon occurs when water is extracted from an aquifer faster than it can be replenished, causing the water table to drop in a conical shape surrounding the well. As the pumping continues, the area affected by this drop expands, creating a distinct cone shape – wider at the surface and narrowing down towards the well.

Understanding the cone of depression is crucial in water resource management because it can affect surrounding wells, potentially leading to issues such as diminished water supply, increased pumping costs, and even land subsidence in severe cases. Recognizing this term helps operators and planners manage groundwater resources more effectively, ensuring sustainable use and protection of water supplies.

While the other terms may relate to groundwater or water table phenomena, they do not accurately describe the specific shape and behavior that occurs during well pumping. Water table drop refers generically to a decrease in the water table level, a groundwater sink is not a widely used term in hydrogeology, and hydraulic gradient describes the slope of the water table rather than the effect of well pumping specifically. Thus, "cone of depression" is the precise terminology for this specific occurrence.