Water condenses on the ground as dew in the cooler mornings and in clouds. Once condensed water in clouds is heavy enough to fall, it will come back to earth as rain, snow, sleet, or ice. This is precipitation. It becomes groundwater or lake and ocean water. Infiltration involves the soil providing water to deeper groundwater. This sifts through the rock and may come out in streams or lakes to reach the surface again.
WATER BASINS
Figure 58.
212