What is the overland flow that happens when water cannot sink into the ground?

What is the overland flow that happens when water cannot sink into the ground?

• A. Interception
• B. Groundwater storage
• C. Surface runoff
• D. Transpiration

Answer: (C)

When rain cannot sink into the ground, the excess water flows over the land surface and into streams and rivers. This moving water is surface runoff—the overland flow that travels across the soil surface rather than infiltrating. It happens because the soil’s capacity to absorb water is exceeded, whether due to very heavy rainfall, a saturated or compacted ground, or impermeable surfaces. Interception is the water captured by vegetation and later released, not the water that runs off the ground. Groundwater storage refers to water that has infiltrated and is stored below the surface. Transpiration is the process of plants releasing water vapor from their leaves.

When rain cannot sink into the ground, the excess water flows over the land surface and into streams and rivers. This moving water is surface runoff—the overland flow that travels across the soil surface rather than infiltrating. It happens because the soil’s capacity to absorb water is exceeded, whether due to very heavy rainfall, a saturated or compacted ground, or impermeable surfaces.

Interception is the water captured by vegetation and later released, not the water that runs off the ground. Groundwater storage refers to water that has infiltrated and is stored below the surface. Transpiration is the process of plants releasing water vapor from their leaves.