How much natural water is there?
Earth is estimated to hold about 1,386,000,000 cubic kilometers of water. The breakdown of where all that water resides is estimated as follows:
- Oceans (saline) 1,338,000,000 cubic kilometers
- Ice caps and glaciers (fresh) 24,064,000 cubic kilometers
- Groundwater (fresh and saline) 23,400,000 cubic kilometers
- Streams, lakes, swamps (fresh) 104,590 cubic kilometers
- Lakes (saline) 85,400 cubic kilometers
- Other--soil, atmosphere, biosphere (fresh) 330,520 cubic kilometers
Learn More: How Much Water is There on Earth?
Related
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites
Explore U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites to learn how and where the Nation's water use has changed over time! Learn how to find and access USGS water-use data shown in maps, graphs, visualizations, and information products. Gain a better understanding of water-use terms and USGS educational resources. Learn how to find and use USGS visualizations to see how water use has...
Authors
Kimberly Shaffer, Kathleen M. Rowland, B. Pierre Sargent
Continuing progress toward a national assessment of water availability and use Continuing progress toward a national assessment of water availability and use
Executive Summary The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111—11) was passed into law on March 30, 2009. Subtitle F, also known as the SECURE Water Act, calls for the establishment of a “national water availability and use assessment program” within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS issued the first report on the program in 2013. Program progress over the...
Authors
Eric J. Evenson, Sonya A. Jones, Nancy L. Barber, Paul M. Barlow, David L. Blodgett, Breton W. Bruce, Kyle R. Douglas-Mankin, William H. Farmer, Jeffrey M. Fischer, William B. Hughes, Jonathan G. Kennen, Julie E. Kiang, Molly A. Maupin, Howard W. Reeves, Gabriel B. Senay, Jennifer S. Stanton, Chad R. Wagner, Jennifer T. Wilson
Estimated use of water in the United States in 2015 Estimated use of water in the United States in 2015
Water use in the United States in 2015 was estimated to be about 322 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d), which was 9 percent less than in 2010. The 2015 estimates put total withdrawals at the lowest level since before 1970, following the same overall trend of decreasing total withdrawals observed from 2005 to 2010. Freshwater withdrawals were 281 Bgal/d, or 87 percent of total withdrawals...
Authors
Cheryl A. Dieter, Molly A. Maupin, Rodney R. Caldwell, Melissa A. Harris, Tamara I. Ivahnenko, John K. Lovelace, Nancy L. Barber, Kristin S. Linsey
The water cycle for kids The water cycle for kids
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have created a water-cycle diagram for use in elementary and middle schools. The diagram is available in many languages. This diagram is part of the USGS's Water Science School, in which the water cycle is described in detail.
Authors
Stephanie Neno, Jim Morgan, Gabriele Zonolli, Howard Perlman, Gerard Gonthier
Water Budgets: Foundations for Effective Water-Resources and Environmental Management Water Budgets: Foundations for Effective Water-Resources and Environmental Management
INTRODUCTION Water budgets provide a means for evaluating availability and sustainability of a water supply. A water budget simply states that the rate of change in water stored in an area, such as a watershed, is balanced by the rate at which water flows into and out of the area. An understanding of water budgets and underlying hydrologic processes provides a foundation for effective...
Authors
Richard W. Healy, Thomas C. Winter, James W. LaBaugh, O. Lehn Franke
Ground water and surface water: A single resource Ground water and surface water: A single resource
The importance of considering ground water and surface water as a single resource has become increasingly evident. Issues related to water supply, water quality, and degradation of aquatic environments are reported on frequently. The interaction of ground water and surface water has been shown to be a significant concern in many of these issues. Contaminated aquifers that discharge to...
Authors
Thomas C. Winter, Judson W. Harvey, O. Lehn Franke, William M. Alley
Related
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites
Explore U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water-use websites to learn how and where the Nation's water use has changed over time! Learn how to find and access USGS water-use data shown in maps, graphs, visualizations, and information products. Gain a better understanding of water-use terms and USGS educational resources. Learn how to find and use USGS visualizations to see how water use has...
Authors
Kimberly Shaffer, Kathleen M. Rowland, B. Pierre Sargent
Continuing progress toward a national assessment of water availability and use Continuing progress toward a national assessment of water availability and use
Executive Summary The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111—11) was passed into law on March 30, 2009. Subtitle F, also known as the SECURE Water Act, calls for the establishment of a “national water availability and use assessment program” within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS issued the first report on the program in 2013. Program progress over the...
Authors
Eric J. Evenson, Sonya A. Jones, Nancy L. Barber, Paul M. Barlow, David L. Blodgett, Breton W. Bruce, Kyle R. Douglas-Mankin, William H. Farmer, Jeffrey M. Fischer, William B. Hughes, Jonathan G. Kennen, Julie E. Kiang, Molly A. Maupin, Howard W. Reeves, Gabriel B. Senay, Jennifer S. Stanton, Chad R. Wagner, Jennifer T. Wilson
Estimated use of water in the United States in 2015 Estimated use of water in the United States in 2015
Water use in the United States in 2015 was estimated to be about 322 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d), which was 9 percent less than in 2010. The 2015 estimates put total withdrawals at the lowest level since before 1970, following the same overall trend of decreasing total withdrawals observed from 2005 to 2010. Freshwater withdrawals were 281 Bgal/d, or 87 percent of total withdrawals...
Authors
Cheryl A. Dieter, Molly A. Maupin, Rodney R. Caldwell, Melissa A. Harris, Tamara I. Ivahnenko, John K. Lovelace, Nancy L. Barber, Kristin S. Linsey
The water cycle for kids The water cycle for kids
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have created a water-cycle diagram for use in elementary and middle schools. The diagram is available in many languages. This diagram is part of the USGS's Water Science School, in which the water cycle is described in detail.
Authors
Stephanie Neno, Jim Morgan, Gabriele Zonolli, Howard Perlman, Gerard Gonthier
Water Budgets: Foundations for Effective Water-Resources and Environmental Management Water Budgets: Foundations for Effective Water-Resources and Environmental Management
INTRODUCTION Water budgets provide a means for evaluating availability and sustainability of a water supply. A water budget simply states that the rate of change in water stored in an area, such as a watershed, is balanced by the rate at which water flows into and out of the area. An understanding of water budgets and underlying hydrologic processes provides a foundation for effective...
Authors
Richard W. Healy, Thomas C. Winter, James W. LaBaugh, O. Lehn Franke
Ground water and surface water: A single resource Ground water and surface water: A single resource
The importance of considering ground water and surface water as a single resource has become increasingly evident. Issues related to water supply, water quality, and degradation of aquatic environments are reported on frequently. The interaction of ground water and surface water has been shown to be a significant concern in many of these issues. Contaminated aquifers that discharge to...
Authors
Thomas C. Winter, Judson W. Harvey, O. Lehn Franke, William M. Alley
Updated Date: January 16, 2025