Site Map: The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle
The Earth's water is always in movement, and the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the planet.

Aquifers
Large amounts of water are stored in the ground; Thus, the name "groundwater."

Clouds (Water Vapor)
Water stored in the atmosphere as vapor; we call it clouds and humidity.

Condensation
When water changes from vapor into liquid, it's called condensation.

Evaporation
Evaporation from the oceans is the primary mechanism supporting the surface-to-atmosphere portion of the water cycle.

Evapotranspiration
The process by which water vapor is discharged to the atmosphere as a result of evaporation from the soil and transpiration by plants is defined by the USGS as evapotranspiration.

Fresh Water
Fresh water is essential to all life on the planet.

Ice and Glaciers
During the last ice age (when glaciers covered more land area) the sea level was about 400 feet lower than it is today.

Infiltration
The downward movement of water from the surface into soil, porous rock, and aquifers, is known as infiltration.

Oceans
More than 95% of the world's water is stored in oceans.

Precipitation
Precipitation is Nature's delivery system for getting water vapor to the Earth.

Snowmelt
We don't get much run-off due to snowmelt here in Blanco, Texas. But hey- almost anything is possible.

Springs
Springs are a lot more common in limestone - which we have in abundance - than other varieties of rock.

Streamflow (Rivers)
Streamflow is defined as the natural movement of water in rivers, creeks, and streams.

Sublimation
When describing the water cycle, sublimation refers to the process of snow and ice changing into water vapor without first melting into water.

Surface Runoff
Much of the water in the Blanco River comes directly from surface runoff.

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