Cone of Depression

A cone of depression occurs around a well when large amounts of groundwater are pumped out faster than it can naturally recharge. This causes the water level near the well to drop, creating a cone-shaped area where the water table is lowered. As a result, nearby wells may also experience lower water levels, and the flow of groundwater toward the well increases to refill this depression. If over-pumped, it can lead to problems like land subsidence or reduced water availability. Understanding this helps in managing water resources sustainably.