The flux along a horizontal well in uniform flow is examined using an analytic three-dimensional, steady model. Wells with uniform head and low pumping rates have gaining sections along which water enters the well and losing sections along which water exists. Such a well may provide a conduit for contaminated groundwater to be drawn into the well, conveyed a large distance, and injected into an uncontaminated region of an aquifer. Dimensionless ratios of the well's length L and radius R, aquifer thickness H, and uniform flow rate U are developed to quantify the minimum pumping rate Qmin at which no losing section occurs. The ratio Qmin/(ULH) is presented as a nomograph using R/H and L/H for placement parallel to flow and is 6&pgr;R/H for placement perpendicular to flow, and a parabolic relationship between these limiting cases is developed for placement oblique to flow. Capture zone geometry is quantified using Qmin/(ULH). ¿ 2001 American Geophysical Union