Surface Water and Groundwater Terms

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Surface Water

Back

Water that collects on the surface of the ground, including rivers, lakes, and oceans.

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Groundwater

Back

Water located beneath the earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations.

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Water Table

Back

The level below which the ground is saturated with water.

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Channel

Back

A natural or artificial watercourse that contains moving water.

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Tributary

Back

A river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake.

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Watershed

Back

An area of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.

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Divide

Back

A ridge or continuous line of high land, from which water flows to one side or the other.

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Aquifer

Back

A body of permeable rock that can contain or transmit groundwater.