Cover Image
close this bookBetter Farming Series 28 - Water: Where Water Comes from (FAO, 1981, 31 p.)
close this folderWater on the surface
View the document(introduction...)
View the documentGroundwater can become surface water
View the documentSurface water run- off

Groundwater can become surface water

87. When it rains, water sinks into the ground and mixes with the water already in the ground.

88. When there is more water in the ground, the water table becomes higher.

89. If the land is low and the water table is high enough, it may lie above the surface of the ground. Then there is more surface water.


Water lies above the surve of the ground

90. When it does not rain, there is less water in the ground and the water table becomes lower.


There is less water in the ground

91. Then there will be less surface water. This can be seen in dry times in swamps, lakes and streams.

92. The effect of groundwater on surface water is hard to see for it happens very slowly.


The effect is hard to see