The presence of modern, locally derived water in a near surface saturated zone in an arid environment provides an opportunity to test many assumptions related to water recharge and movement in arid regions. One such site is the Wadi el Ghussein area in northeastern Jordan. In this study, detailed mapping and geophysical surveys give important insights into ground water movement in this area. The results show that the aquifer is continuous through the alluvium, but does not extend significantly into the adjacent basalt. Although the water table slopes in the same direction as the valley, most water movement in the aquifer is from direct recharge from runoff, and direct discharge into the deeper basalt below the alluvium. Some discharge through evaporation and human extraction is also seen at specific locations. Lateral flow is very limited. These results are seen in the geophysical surveys and confirmed by the chemical analyses of the waters along the aquifer. Discharge to deeper aquifers seems to follow faults and fractures at some locations, and planes defining various basalt flows at others.