Background Water Cycle

The hydrologic cycle or water cycle refers to the continuous circulation of water within the earth's hydrosphere. Water moves into and from the various sources on, over and below the earth, with the total mass of water remaining fairly constant. The main processes of the hydrologic cycle include precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, percolation, and runoff. The main hydrologic components include watershed boundary, stream network, soil water, groundwater, and streamflow, which collectively provide the foundation for how landscapes and water interact.