Embedded Files
The Water Cycle
Virtual Classroom
What can you do to contribute to keeping our local waters safe & healthy for all?
Learn how you can protect our local waterways by understanding the water cycle.
Find out what watershed you live in, understand water quality issues from our "people" pollution, and learn about the City & Boone County's green infrastructure.
The water cycle how it works!
Run and get a glass of water and put it on the table next to you. Take a good long look at the water. Now – can you guess how old it is?
The water in your glass may have fallen from the sky as the rain just last week, but the water itself has been around pretty much as long as the earth has! When the Brontosaurus walked through lakes feeding on plants, your glass of water was part of those lakes. When kings and princesses, knights and squires took a drink from their wells, your glass of water was part of those wells, and you thought your parents were OLD!
Earth’s water is always in movement, and the natural water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. Water is always changing states between liquid, vapor, and ice, with these processes happening in the blink of an eye and over millions of years. Stormwater runoff is water that originates during precipitation events and flows over the land. It can pick up sediment, pollutants, and debris as it moves.
The water quality of rivers, streams, lakes and ponds are adversely impacted by contaminated stormwater runoff. Every time it rains, water runs off impermeable surfaces, such as roofs or driveways, collecting pollutants such as particles of dirt, fertilizer, chemicals, oil, garbage, and bacteria along the way. The pollutant-laden water enters storm drains untreated and flows directly to nearby streams and ponds. The US EPA estimates that pollutants carried by rainwater runoff account for 70% of all water pollution.
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
Increase your knowledge about the Water Cycle & Rain Gardens.
Anatomy of Boone County's Streams
Our local wetlands here in Boone County
Rain Gardens (Green Infrastructure)
RESOURCES:
Increase your understanding of the issue here in Columbia, MO.
THE WATER CYCLE
WHAT IS A WATERSHED?
WATER QUALITY ISSUES
Rain Gardens (Green Infrastructure)
Boone County, City of Columbia and the University of Missouri coordinate stormwater activities.
The three institutions are joint holders of a Phase II Stormwater Permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
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