Flow-through streams occur when the water table adjacent to the stream is higher on one side of the channel and lower on the opposite side of the channel (Figure 20). Groundwater enters the stream through one section of stream bed and channel bank, and stream water leaves the opposite bed and bank recharging the local groundwater system (Figure 20a). Equipotential lines are parallel to the stream channel (Figure 20b). Under these conditions, the stream stage is connected to the groundwater system and represents the water table elevation.