Why does drip-stone form only when a cave is at or above the water table?

Dripstone, including stalactites and stalagmites, does not form only when a cave is at or above the water table. Instead, dripstone is formed when water seeps through cracks and crevices in the ceiling of a cave and slowly drips onto the floor. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral deposits, such as calcite, which build up over time to form dripstone formations.

To be clear, the presence of water is essential for the formation of dripstone, but it is not dependent on the water table level. Dripstone can be found in caves at various levels, both above and below the water table.