Surface water

All water comes from two sources:

Lakes, ponds, river, and streams ALL water above ground

Most urban areas rely on surface water
Supply resources and allows for travel
Fate of water: run off or seep

Certain characteristics will determine whether or not water ill either steep or become runoff.
Vegetation

More vegetation equals more ground water

2) rate of precipitation
Heavy

Soil clumps together closing pores

Heavier the rain equals more surface water
3) soil composition

Effects the waters holding capacity

Decayed organic matter(humus)
Minerals

Clay fine material which clump together fewer spaces

4) slopes

Steep: allows for high runoff& little absorption

Little: low runoff & high absorption