The Water Cycle

The water cycle is the continuous cycle of water movement on Earth. Water is always moving and always changing forms. Water is most notably observed as precipitation. In warmer temperatures, precipitation is rain, and in colder temperatures it is snow. After precipitation falls, it seeps into the ground or becomes surface runoff that fills rivers and lakes. Precipitation also evaporates back into the atmosphere and forms clouds.

Then, the cycle starts over again with precipitation falling to the ground. A portion of the precipitation is stored in the ground, a portion becomes surface runoff, and a portion evaporates once again and forms new clouds.

The cycle repeats over and over; it never ends. This is the water cycle.

Additional Resources

These web pages can help you learn more about the water cycle.

National Aeronatics and Space Administration

United States Geological Survey

American Water Works Association

Rain Soft

Sustainable Water Resources Alliance

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Australia’s Yarra Water Valley