test hole question

[rnorth]

in ny state we have to dig a 6 foot hole to check the soil layers for high water mark, clay etc.

the other morning we did a test hole, here are the results


0-4" SANDY TOPSOIL, ROOTS
4-20" GRAY FINE SANDY LOAM
20-32" BROWN SANDY GRAVEL, COURSE
32-63" DARK SAND W/ CLAY & GRAVEL
63-66" GRAY CLAY
66" DARK SHALE LEDGE

no mottling line was observed, this was confirmed by another specialist as well.


we had water seepage at the clay/shale level - 5'6"

about 8 hours later the holw had filled up with water - about 3' below grade, where this was dry when the hole was dug.

could this just be due to the earth's ability to retain some water - we recently had about 2" rain???
should the ground water be \called out at 3'?

 

[Artisi]

You could always pump it and see if it is only local water retained from the rain or if it is actually the water table.

 

[cvg]

check with the department of water resources or with a local geotech or well driller to determine what the typical depth to the water table is in your area.

However, given that you had generally free draining material for the top 63" of your trench and then hit clay, it appears it may be perched groundwater. It is probably not due to the recent rains. More likely it collects and cannot go through the clay layer into the aquifer below.