Great Lakes Communities and Ecosystems
Water Cycle How the cycle works Added human pressures

PRECIPITATION
After water droplets have condensed to make clouds, they join together to form larger droplets. When these drops are heavy enough to fall, they return to the Earth's surface as rain, hail, or sleet. If clouds are made of ice particles instead of water drops, they can produce snow.

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Water Cycle diagram

© 2003 Union of Concerned Scientists Riparian ZonesGreat LakeWetlandsGroundwaterForestsSurface and Subsurface RunoffSurface WaterInfiltrationEvaporationWatershed BoundaryTranspirationPrecipitationCondensation