The development of ways to increase water removal in the wet press section of the paper machine is limited by a poor understanding of the role of web properties in dewatering. The effect of fiber geometry (as determined by species) on web dewatering was examined using 250-g/m₂ handsheets of loblolly pine, spruce, and southern red oak. Dewatering behavior is analogous to the response of a Kelvin body to a compressive step input stress. Characteristics of this dewatering behavior are two web parameters: the dewatering time constant, tau, and apparent compressive modulus, C1. Fiber geometry and freeness were found to have less effect on dewatering behavior than initial moisture content of the webs, as reflected by tau and C1 values. Under conditions of equal web flow resistance, R, and equal initial moisture content, the dewatering time constants for the webs of different fiber types approach a common value. Web flow resistance is better suited than pulp freeness or pulp filtration resistance to predict dewatering behavior of consolidated webs of constant weight. (Abstractor's note: Possible interest for more techical explanations on what goes on when paper is flattened after washing.) -- AATA