* Groundwater: When precipitation infiltrates the ground, it becomes groundwater. Gravity pulls this water downward through the soil and rock, creating a flow within the aquifer.
* Surface Water: Precipitation that doesn't infiltrate flows over the land as surface water. Gravity pulls this water downhill, creating streams, rivers, and eventually lakes and oceans.
Other factors can influence the movement of water through a watershed:
* Topography: The shape of the land influences the direction and speed of water flow. Steeper slopes lead to faster flow.
* Soil Type: Permeable soils allow water to infiltrate more easily, while impermeable soils force water to flow on the surface.
* Vegetation: Plants can intercept precipitation and slow down surface runoff, allowing more water to infiltrate the ground.
* Human Activities: Development, deforestation, and agriculture can alter the flow of water through a watershed.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
