1. **State the problem:** We have three wells with elevations and depths to the piezometric water level. We need to find the groundwater flow direction and calculate the hydraulic gradient along the flow path. 2. **Given data:** - Well 1: Elevation = 151.40 m, Depth to water = 3.86 m - Well 2: Elevation = 159.04 m, Depth to water = 3.00 m - Well 3: Elevation = 149.00 m, Depth to water = 3.01 m 3. **Calculate the piezometric head (water level elevation) for each well:** The piezometric head $h$ is given by: $$h = \text{elevation} - \text{depth to water}$$ - Well 1: $h_1 = 151.40 - 3.86 = 147.54$ m - Well 2: $h_2 = 159.04 - 3.00 = 156.04$ m - Well 3: $h_3 = 149.00 - 3.01 = 145.99$ m 4. **Determine groundwater flow direction:** Groundwater flows from higher to lower piezometric head. - Highest head is Well 2 ($156.04$ m) - Then Well 1 ($147.54$ m) - Then Well 3 ($145.99$ m) So flow is from Well 2 towards Well 1 and Well 3. 5. **Calculate horizontal distances between wells to find flow path:** Assuming the wells form a triangle, we need coordinates or relative positions to find direction. Since not given, we assume the flow path is from Well 2 to Well 1 (higher to lower head) for hydraulic gradient calculation. 6. **Calculate hydraulic gradient $i$ along flow path:** Hydraulic gradient is change in head over distance: $$i = \frac{\Delta h}{\Delta L}$$ - Change in head $\Delta h = h_2 - h_1 = 156.04 - 147.54 = 8.50$ m - Distance $\Delta L$ between Well 2 and Well 1 is not given explicitly, so we cannot calculate exact $i$ without distance. **Assuming distance $\Delta L$ is known or measured from map, plug in value to get $i$.** **Summary:** - Groundwater flows from Well 2 towards Well 1 and Well 3. - Hydraulic gradient $i = \frac{8.50}{\Delta L}$ (distance between Well 2 and Well 1). **Note:** Without coordinates or distances, exact hydraulic gradient numeric value cannot be computed.