Radience

Rivers and Groundwater

Science

aquifer

a water-containing, underground layer of rock
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artesian well

a well in which water rises due to pressure
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bed load

the sediment carried by a river
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channel

a path along which water flows
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delta

a large mass of sediment deposited at the mouth of a river
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deposition

the process of dropping sediment by water or wind
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desalination

the removal of salt from seawater to get freshwater
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drainage divide

a high ridge that separates two water drains
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flood plain

a wide valley through which a river flows and can overflow
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geyser

a hot spring that periodically shoots water and steam into the air
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groundwater

rain and melted snow that is stored in underground soil and rock
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impermeable

does not allow water to pass through easily
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irrigation

the process of supplying water to land to grow crops
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nonpoint source pollution

pollution that comes from many sources
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permeable

describes rock or soil that allows water to seep through
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point source pollution

pollution that comes from a specific source
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saturated zone

a layer of rock where all the spaces are filled with groundwater
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spring

a place where groundwater flows to the surface
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tributary

a stream that flows into a lake or river
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water cycle

the constant movement of water through Earth and its atmosphere, by evaporation, condensation and precipitation
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water pollution

the addition of harmful substances to water
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water table

the top surface of underground water
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watershed

a land area from which water drains into a river system
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wetland

an area of land that is periodically underwater
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