A rain shower reaches the forest floor. Each drop begins a journey shaped by the land.

Some water soaks into the soil. Some remains at the surface and begins to flow.

This movement over land is called surface runoff. Gravity carries it downhill.

Small channels feed streams. Streams can join rivers, carrying water through the landscape.

Water can continue toward lakes and oceans. This is only one part of the water cycle.

These scenes are AI illustrations, not recorded field footage. The explanation follows USGS educational sources.