An important step in understanding the water cycle is conceptualizing it as a true cycle. There is neither a beginning nor an end, but water can “rest” in different stages before moving through the remainder of the cycle. Similarly, human uses can withdraw water from one cycle or another, but the resource always finds its way back into the cycle after release, treatment, or processing. Take some time and explore the cycle with one of our subject matter experts using The Global Water Cycle Interactive.
Images: “it is raining on the pier” by lafoto/Shutterstock.com; “Global Water Cycle” by Top Energy Training adapted from USGS
