Under what conditions does groundwater pumping create a cone of depression?

Groundwater pumping creates a cone of depression primarily when water is extracted from an aquifer faster than it can naturally be replenished. This process occurs because the removal of water decreases the hydraulic pressure in the surrounding saturated zone, causing the water table to drop in a localized area around the well. As the extraction continues, a cone-shaped decline in the water table forms, effectively lowering the water level around the well.

In this scenario, the water that is drawn out cannot be replaced quickly enough, leading to a significant drop in water levels that can affect nearby wells and streams. Understanding this process is essential for water resource management, as it helps to illustrate the balance needed between water extraction and natural recharge rates to maintain sustainable groundwater levels.