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Article: Stream Hydrology
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- Water:Science and Issues
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Stream Hydrology
Streams are created when excess water from rain, snowmelt, or near-surface
groundwater
accumulates on the ground surface and begins to run downhill. This excess water from rain or snowmelt generally occurs when the water accumulates at a faster rate than the soil and organic matter (e.g., dead and decaying vegetation) can absorb the water, plants can use it, or the water can be evaporated into the air.
Groundwater also may create a stream, or may add to its flow. For example, water may emerge from the ground as a
spring
, forming the headwaters of a stream. Farther downslope, shallow groundwater adjacent to a stream (e.g., in adjoining streambanks) or beneath the ...