Water tables can become elevated when they receive more water than they drain off. This can be from unusually high amounts of rain, or excess water from higher elevations. High water tables are often above the level of basement floors or crawlspaces. This almost always causes flooding in these areas.

What does it mean if you have a high water table?

The water table marks the boundary between that available water and the dry surface. Ground water is impacted by precipitation, irrigation and ground cover. ... However, if soil is dense and absorbent and the water table is high, the ground around a home may swell and become saturated.

How can I tell if I have a high water table?

Basement flooding: If you and your neighbors experience basement flooding right about the same time, that's a clear indication the water table nearby is pretty high. Standing water: When rainwater or melt-offs fail to percolate through the soil, it's likely the surface is already saturated due to a high water table.