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Water Cycle Processes

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Water Cycle Processes

Read the scenario and complete the investigation questions. Use suitable geographical terms to describe how water moves through the catchment.

A wet-season investigation

After a storm in an Australian catchment, rain falls on forested hills and a nearby town. Some water flows downhill into creeks and a river. Some soaks into the soil and may move underground. The river supplies a reservoir used by the town. Later, the Sun warms water at the surface, and water vapour rises into the atmosphere.

Investigate the processes

1.On a sunny afternoon, water at the reservoir’s surface changes from liquid into water vapour. What process is taking place, and what provides the energy?

2.As rainwater flows downhill over the land surface into a creek, which water-cycle process is taking place?

Runoff
Infiltration
Evaporation
Precipitation

3.Complete the sentence: Liquid water warms and rises as vapour by the process called .

4.Complete the sentence: Water vapour cools and forms clouds by the process called .

5.Complete the sentence: Water that falls from clouds as rain, snow or hail is called .

6.Rain runs over the land surface downhill into a creek. Name this process and explain what happens to water when it soaks into the soil.

7.True or false? A catchment is an area of land where water drains towards a common outlet, such as a river, lake or reservoir. Correct the statement if it is false.

TrueFalse

8.Using the written scenario, trace one possible route for a raindrop falling on a forested hill and ending at the town’s reservoir. Include at least three geographical terms.

9.After heavy rain, which change is most likely on land covered by roads and buildings instead of forest?

More water may become runoff because less can soak into the ground
All rainfall immediately becomes groundwater
Evaporation stops completely
The catchment no longer has an outlet

10.A farmer removes vegetation beside a creek. Describe one possible effect on water movement or water quality in the catchment, and explain why it may happen.

11.A town depends on its catchment and reservoir for water. Give two reasons why protecting the catchment can help maintain a reliable, clean water supply.

12.Imagine rainfall is much lower than usual for several months. Explain one likely effect on the town’s reservoir and one possible effect on the catchment’s rivers or streams.