What are the four sources of Surface Water?

The four main sources of surface water are rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and rainwater runoff. 

Surface water is any body of water found on the Earth's surface, as opposed to groundwater, which is found underground.

1. Rivers and Streams

Rivers are natural flowing watercourses, usually freshwater, that travel across the land towards an ocean, sea, lake, or another larger river. Streams are smaller flowing bodies of water that often feed into rivers. They are a critical source of water for drinking, agriculture, and industry.

2. Lakes and Ponds

Lakes are large bodies of relatively still water that are surrounded by land. Ponds are smaller bodies of still water. They can be formed naturally through geological processes or created artificially. They serve as important freshwater habitats and sources for communities.

3. Reservoirs

A reservoir is a large, artificial lake created by building a dam across a river. Their primary purpose is to store water. This stored water can be used for various needs, including irrigation for farming, providing drinking water for cities, generating hydroelectric power, and controlling floods.

4. Rainwater Runoff

Also known as surface runoff, this is the water from rain, snowmelt, or other precipitation that flows over the land surface. Instead of seeping into the ground, it travels over the land and is a primary source for replenishing the water in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.