Watersheds and groundwater

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls on it drains into a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean.

Front

What is a drainage divide?

Back

A drainage divide is a geographical barrier, such as a ridge, hill, or mountain, that separates one watershed land area from another.

Front

What causes the water table to lower?

Back

The water table can lower due to periods of low precipitation, which means less water is available to recharge the groundwater.

Front

What is infiltration?

Back

Infiltration is the process by which surface water enters the soil and becomes groundwater.

Front

What is a tributary?

Back

A tributary is a small stream or river that flows into a larger stream or river.

Front

What is the water table?

Back

The water table is the upper surface of the zone of saturation, where the soil or rock is fully saturated with water.

Front

What is an aquifer?

Back

An aquifer is a geological formation that can store and transmit water, providing a source of groundwater.

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Runoff is the flow of water, usually from precipitation, that moves across the land surface and eventually enters rivers, lakes, or oceans.

Front

What is permeable rock?

Back

Permeable rock is rock that has spaces or pores that allow water to flow through it.

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas, usually due to heat from the sun.