What is Surface water?
[[File:AlapahaRiver2002.jpg|thumb|300px|Image of the entire surface water flow of the [[Alapaha River]] near [[Jennings, Florida]] going into a [[sinkhole]] leading to the [[Floridan Aquifer]] [[groundwater]].]] '''Surface water''' is [[water]] on the [[surface]] of the planet, above the ground. It is the water in [[river]]s, [[lake]]s, [[wetland]]s and [[ocean]]s. It is different to [[groundwater]], which is in the soil, and [[Cloud|atmospheric water]], which is in the sky. [[Freshwater|Fresh]] surface water is added to by [[precipitation]] and by taking ground-water from the ground. It is lost through [[evaporation]], where it becomes atmospheric water, or through seepage into the ground, where it becomes ground water. It is also lost through use by plants for [[transpiration]], animals for [[drinking]], or by humans for [[agriculture]], washing and other purposes. Fresh water is also discharged to the ocean, where it becomes [[salt water]]. == Related pages == * [[Water cycle]] [[Category:Water]] {{geo-stub}}