The hydraulic gradient is a measure of the change in hydraulic head per unit distance in a given direction, indicating how groundwater moves through an aquifer. This gradient is crucial for understanding groundwater flow because it dictates the direction and speed at which water travels within subsurface environments. A steeper hydraulic gradient suggests a faster movement of water, while a flatter gradient indicates slower movement, both of which are influenced by factors such as aquifer permeability and recharge rates.
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