Hyporheic zone

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The hyporheic zone is a region beneath and lateral to a stream bed, where there is mixing of shallow groundwater and surface water. The flow dynamics and behavior in this zone (termed hyporheic flow) are not well understood, although it is recognized to be important for surface water/groundwater interactions, as well as fish spawning, among other processes.

The mechanism of hyporheic flow can be triggered by stream water percolation, or the groundwater upwelling seepage beneath the stream bed and alongside the stream banks.

[edit] External link

• An article on the hyporheic zone of streams, and water purification. Includes a diagram.