Groundwater & Surface Water in a Watershed

Front

What is groundwater?

Back

Groundwater is water that is stored beneath the Earth's surface in soil and rock formations, known as aquifers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is an area of land that collects runoff and channels it into a main river or body of water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What happens to water in a watershed?

Back

All water in a watershed flows downstream.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Front

What can excessive removal of groundwater cause?

Back

Excessive removal of groundwater can weaken the ground and lead to problems such as land subsidence.

Front

What is surface water?

Back

Surface water is water that collects on the surface of the ground, including rivers, lakes, and ponds.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

How do pollutants affect local ecosystems in a watershed?

Back

Pollutants from factories or agricultural runoff can harm local pond life and disrupt the ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Runoff is water that flows over the ground surface and is not absorbed into the soil, often carrying pollutants with it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

What is the relationship between rainfall and the water table?

Back

During the rainy season, the water table typically increases due to the influx of water from precipitation.

Front

What is an aquifer?

Back

An aquifer is a geological formation that can store and transmit groundwater.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1