The Virtual Water Table

The water table rises and falls as a function of rainfall, the influx of sheetwash, and flooding. The viabilty of society is often dependent on the level of the water table. If the water table is too far beneath the surface, it becomes difficult to provide fresh water to the population. This can occur as a result of drought or overuse of water. A good example of this effect is the city of Fatepur Sikri, near Agra, India. This city was built on a plateau near Agra in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar, and seved as the capital of the Mughal empire between 1570 and 1586. Fatepur Sikri displays exceptional architecture and is the first known example of central air conditioning. The system was based on pumping water through shallow trenches beneath the floors of each room and allowing the evaporation of the water to cool the room. Needless to say, the system required a great deal of water, and this and the growth of population resulted in the steady drop in the level of the water table until it became difficult to provide enough water from wells to serve the city. The city was suddenly abandoned when it became impossible to supply the inhabitants with water. It remains today in pristine condition and is a leading tourist attraction in India today.

In this exercise you will be able to examine the water table through the "Virtual Water Table" below. The virtual system allows you to recharge the water table with rain, create a pearched water table by placing an impermeable rock layer in the terrain, and explore the effects of drilling wells in various areas. When you have finished experimenting with the Virtual Water Table, close this page.