Groundwater

Front

What is groundwater?

Back

Water that is found underground in soil and rock layers.

Front

What is the water table?

Back

The upper surface of the zone of saturation where groundwater is found.

Front

What causes the water table to lower?

Back

Periods of low precipitation.

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Water that flows over the land to streams, rivers, and lakes.

Front

What can runoff pick up from the ground?

Back

Runoff can pick up fertilizer, pesticides, household chemicals, and oil.

Front

What happens when the surface soil is saturated and precipitation increases?

Back

There will be an increase in the amount of runoff.

Front

What is an impermeable surface?

Back

A surface that does not allow water to pass through, such as concrete.

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas.

Front

What is condensation?

Back

The process by which water vapor cools and changes back into liquid water.

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

Any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.