Surface Water

Surface water is any body of water that collects on the surface of the Earth, including rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, and oceans.  It is the water that is naturally exposed to the atmosphere and exists on the land's surface, as opposed to groundwater, which is found underground.  Surface water plays a critical role in supporting ecosystems, agriculture, human consumption, and recreation, and is a vital resource for many aspects of life on Earth.  Key sources of surface water include:

Rainfall and Snowmelt  -  Precipitation that falls to the ground, either as rain or snow, eventually flows into rivers, lakes, or oceans.
Rivers and Streams  -  Natural flowing water channels that carry water across land.
Lakes and Ponds  -  Natural or artificial bodies of standing water.
Reservoirs  -  Artificial lakes, often created by damming rivers for purposes like drinking water supply, irrigation, and hydroelectric power.