Rise in sea-level will affect groundwater flow in coastal aquifers

A rise in sea-level will affect groundwater flow in coastal aquifers (1). An increase in the elevation of the water table (dashed blue line) may result in basement flooding and compromise septic systems (2). A rise in sea level may also result in an upward and landward shift in the position of the freshwater-saltwater interface (3). Where streams are present, an increase in the water-table elevation also may increase groundwater discharge to streams and result in local changes in the underlying freshwater-saltwater interface (4). (USGS)