Watersheds, Groundwater and Aquifers Flashcard

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 body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is groundwater?

Back

Groundwater is water that is stored beneath the Earth's surface in soil and rock layers, filling the spaces between particles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Front

What is an aquifer?

Back

An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sediment that collects, holds, and transports groundwater.

Front

What is a confined aquifer?

Back

A confined aquifer is an aquifer that is sandwiched between two layers of impermeable rock, which restricts water flow.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Front

What is a 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 does permeable mean?

Back

Permeable refers to materials that have many connected pores, allowing water to flow through them.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is the role of groundwater in maintaining lake levels?

Back

Groundwater replenishes lakes by providing a source of water that can flow into the lake, especially during dry seasons.

Front

What happens to the water table when too many wells are drilled?

Back

Drilling too many wells can draw down the water table, lowering the level of groundwater.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Front

What is surface water?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

How do groundwater and surface water interact?

Back

Groundwater and surface water are interconnected; groundwater can feed into rivers and lakes, while surface water can recharge groundwater.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4