1. Hydrologic Cycle and Watersheds

2. Water an extraordinary molecule
Only substance present in large quantities as solid, liquid, and gas
Highest heat capacity of all solids and liquids except liquid ammonia
Highest heat conduction of all liquids
Highest surface tension and dielectric constant of any liquid
Water expands 9% when freezing -> ice floats
Essential to life and climate

5. Condensation
Precipitation
Transpiration
Surface Runoff
Evaporation
Subsurface Runoff
Accumulation
Accumulation
Condensation
Evaporation
Precipitation
Subsurface Runoff
Surface Runoff
Transpiration

6. Hydrologic Cycle Components
Precipitation
Infiltration
Percolation
Runoff
Evapotranspiration

7. Ground Water
Slower flow and reduced water abundance, together with higher temperature adds minerals to water at
greater depths
• Even water found at
several km depth turns out to be meteoric (fed from the surface)
• Existence of fractures can drastically change the flow speed and patterns

11. Watershed
A basin, drainage or catchment area that is the land area that contributes runoff to an outlet point
Watershed boundary
Outlet point

12. Watersheds We all live in a watershed!
Area of land from which all water drains, running downhill, to a shared destination - a river, pond, stream, lake, or estuary

13. 3 Functions
Captures precipitation – its characteristics influence how much is captured
Stores water once it infiltrates into soil (important to plants)
Slowly releases water into streams, rivers, oceans

15. Why are watersheds important?
We all live in a watershed
Activities within a watershed impact runoff and water quality of water leaving the watershed
Must manage at a watershed level rather than other boundaries to attain goals related to runoff and water quality