The Water Cycle. THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.

The Water The Water CycleCycle

The Water The Water CycleCycle

THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.

The Water The Water CycleCycle

THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.

The Water The Water CycleCycle

THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.

The Water The Water CycleCycle

THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.THE SUN DRIVES THE WATER CYCLE.

Why Study Water?Why Study Water?

Only 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater.

Only 30% of ALL freshwater is in liquid form:

1% on the surface

29% underground

THE WATER CYCLETHE WATER CYCLE

GLACIERSGLACIERS Snow falls onto Snow falls onto

mountains and mountains and stays a long time stays a long time (10s of 1,000s of (10s of 1,000s of years). years).

When it finally When it finally melts, it provides melts, it provides water for streams water for streams and rivers.and rivers.

THE WATER CYCLE: THE WATER CYCLE: Surface WaterSurface Water

Surface water comes from precipitation and moves due to gravity.

THE WATER CYCLE: THE WATER CYCLE: Surface WaterSurface Water

•Surface water runs downhill due to gravity.

•The area of land that contributes water to a river system is called a watershed.

THE WATER CYCLE: THE WATER CYCLE: Surface WaterSurface Water

All of the precipitation that falls inside this area, eventually flows out this outlet into the sea.

WATERSHEDSWATERSHEDS

All of the precipitation that falls inside this area, eventually flows out this outlet into the sea.

WATERSHEWATERSHEDSDS

This is not the only watershed in Connecticut.

Major Watersheds in ConnecticutMajor Watersheds in Connecticut

Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound

Major Watersheds in ConnecticutMajor Watersheds in Connecticut

South South CentraCentra

l l CoastCoast

alalParker Hill RdParker Hill Rd

HKHSHKHS

Some surface water eventually becomes GROUNDWATERSome surface water eventually becomes GROUNDWATERSome surface water eventually becomes GROUNDWATERSome surface water eventually becomes GROUNDWATER

Groundwater – water that soaks (infiltrates/percolates) into the

ground from rain or melted snow.

Groundwater – water that soaks (infiltrates/percolates) into the

ground from rain or melted snow.

Layer of permeable rock or sediment.

GROUND GROUND WATERWATER

Ground Water Ground Water ZonesZonesWater Water Table Table –– Boundary Boundary at the top at the top of the of the groundwatgroundwater zone. er zone.

Water Water Table Table –– Boundary Boundary at the top at the top of the of the groundwatgroundwater zone. er zone.

Ground Water Ground Water ZonesZonesWater Water Table Table –– Boundary Boundary at the top at the top of the of the groundwatgroundwater zone. er zone.

Water Water Table Table –– Boundary Boundary at the top at the top of the of the groundwatgroundwater zone. er zone. Zone of Zone of Saturation is Saturation is an AQUIFERan AQUIFER

Ground WaterGround WaterAquifer Aquifer – Layer of permeable rock – Layer of permeable rock or sediment.or sediment.Aquifer Aquifer – Layer of permeable rock – Layer of permeable rock or sediment.or sediment.

Notice the Notice the RECHARGE RECHARGE ZONEZONE

Notice the Notice the RECHARGE RECHARGE ZONEZONE

Ground WaterGround WaterAquifer Aquifer – Layer of permeable rock – Layer of permeable rock or sediment.or sediment.Aquifer Aquifer – Layer of permeable rock – Layer of permeable rock or sediment.or sediment.

Aquifers are Aquifers are “recharged” by “recharged” by precipitation precipitation filtering into filtering into permeable permeable soils.soils.

Aquifers are Aquifers are “recharged” by “recharged” by precipitation precipitation filtering into filtering into permeable permeable soils.soils.

Aquifers provide water for wells.Aquifers provide water for wells.Aquifers provide water for wells.Aquifers provide water for wells.

THE WATER CYCLETHE WATER CYCLE

  OceansOceans: : where it all ends up going.where it all ends up going.     Rivers, streams and runoff Rivers, streams and runoff carry carry

all of the water AND EVERYTHING all of the water AND EVERYTHING ELSE from the land into the ELSE from the land into the oceansoceans. When water gets into the . When water gets into the oceans, it mixes and becomes oceans, it mixes and becomes saltysalty..

97% of water on the earth is in 97% of water on the earth is in the oceans.the oceans.

DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW? About ½ of 1% of the water on earth is About ½ of 1% of the water on earth is

groundwatergroundwater Only about 1/100 of 1% of the water on Only about 1/100 of 1% of the water on

earth is in the rivers and lakesearth is in the rivers and lakes It takes 39,090 gallons of water to make a It takes 39,090 gallons of water to make a

new car, including tiresnew car, including tires Over 17,000,000 houses use private wells Over 17,000,000 houses use private wells

for their drinking water supplyfor their drinking water supply A person can live about a month without A person can live about a month without

food, but can live only about 1 week food, but can live only about 1 week without waterwithout water