Surface water is the most recognizable part of the water cycle that we can see. Lakes and rivers may be the first types of surface water that come to mind but don't forget those snowbanks in your front yard! We think of oceans when we think of surface water but did you remember to add glaciers to your list? The Water Science School has plenty to teach you about the different types of surface water but also how it is measured, how it affects us, how we can use it, and so much more.
Learn About Surface Water
Credit: Wikipedia
Surface Water Basics
- Lakes and Reservoirs
- Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
- Rivers and the Landscape
- Sediment and Suspended Sediment
- Rivers of the World: World's Longest Rivers
- Uses of Streamflow Information
- Seasonal streamflow patterns
- Sea Level and Climate
- Glaciers and Icecaps
- Watersheds and Drainage Basins
Events and Hazards
- The 100-Year Flood
- Floods and Recurrence Intervals
- Impervious Surfaces and Flooding
- Storm-Tide Monitoring
- High-Water Marks and Flooding
- Floods: Things to know
- How Much Water Flows During a Storm?
- Tsunamis and Tsunami Hazards
Surface Water Quality
Surface Water and the Water Cycle
- Freshwater (Lakes and Rivers) - The Water Cycle
- Ice, Snow, and Glaciers and the Water Cycle
- Oceans and Seas and the Water Cycle
- Surface Runoff and the Water Cycle
- Snowmelt Runoff and the Water Cycle
- Streamflow and the Water Cycle
- Springs and the Water Cycle
Hydroelectricity
- Hydroelectric Power Water Use
- Hydroelectric Power: How it Works
- Hydroelectric Power: Advantages of Production and Usage
- Three Gorges Dam: The World's Largest Hydroelectric Plant
Measuring Surface Water
- How Streamflow is Measured?
- How Does the USGS Collect Streamflow Data?
- Crest Gage - A Quick Way to Measure River Stage
- High-Water Marks and Flooding
- What is Hydrology?
- A day in the life of a USGS water scientist
Activity Center and Resources
- Overview
Surface water is the most recognizable part of the water cycle that we can see. Lakes and rivers may be the first types of surface water that come to mind but don't forget those snowbanks in your front yard! We think of oceans when we think of surface water but did you remember to add glaciers to your list? The Water Science School has plenty to teach you about the different types of surface water but also how it is measured, how it affects us, how we can use it, and so much more.
Learn About Surface Water
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. Visit Media to see details.Surface Water Comes In Many FormsLake Louise is a glacial lake located within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is a great example of how surface water can have many forms.
Credit: WikipediaSurface Water Basics
- Lakes and Reservoirs
- Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
- Rivers and the Landscape
- Sediment and Suspended Sediment
- Rivers of the World: World's Longest Rivers
- Uses of Streamflow Information
- Seasonal streamflow patterns
- Sea Level and Climate
- Glaciers and Icecaps
- Watersheds and Drainage Basins
Events and Hazards
- The 100-Year Flood
- Floods and Recurrence Intervals
- Impervious Surfaces and Flooding
- Storm-Tide Monitoring
- High-Water Marks and Flooding
- Floods: Things to know
- How Much Water Flows During a Storm?
- Tsunamis and Tsunami Hazards
Surface Water Quality
Surface Water and the Water Cycle
- Freshwater (Lakes and Rivers) - The Water Cycle
- Ice, Snow, and Glaciers and the Water Cycle
- Oceans and Seas and the Water Cycle
- Surface Runoff and the Water Cycle
- Snowmelt Runoff and the Water Cycle
- Streamflow and the Water Cycle
- Springs and the Water Cycle
Hydroelectricity
- Hydroelectric Power Water Use
- Hydroelectric Power: How it Works
- Hydroelectric Power: Advantages of Production and Usage
- Three Gorges Dam: The World's Largest Hydroelectric Plant
Measuring Surface Water
- How Streamflow is Measured?
- How Does the USGS Collect Streamflow Data?
- Crest Gage - A Quick Way to Measure River Stage
- High-Water Marks and Flooding
- What is Hydrology?
- A day in the life of a USGS water scientist
Activity Center and Resources