Where is fresh water found?Chapter 7 Lesson 2

Ms.Aja5th Grade

Fresh waterLess than 3/100 of Earth’s water is fresh

water. Used for drinking, cooking an cleaning.Also used to grow crops, make electricity and

make many products.Almost all of it starts as rain or snow.There is a limited amount of fresh water. It

should be conserved as much as possible.

GroundwaterRain or melted snow that soaks into the

ground is called groundwater.The layer of rock and soil that groundwater

occupies is an aquiferThe top level of groundwater is an aquifer is

the water table.This level change during the year depending

on the amount of rainfall.It can also get low when water is pumped for

wells.

Rivers and LakesWater from rain and melting snow flows

downhill into small streams.Most rivers eventually flow into oceans.The area from which water drains into a

river is called the river’s watershed.If chemicals go into the watershed, they may

be carried into the river. Rain water may erode soil from fields. This could ruin ecosystems.

Lakes form when the water collects in the low spot. A reservoir is an artificial lake that forms behind a dam.

IceAbout 7/10 of Earth’s fresh water is frozen into ice. This is hard for people to use.Glaciers and ice sheets are smaller areas of ice. Ice

tops are bigger.Valley glaciers are found in the valleys of high

mountains.Glaciers and ice sheets form when each year’s snowfall

is greater than the amount that melts.When ocean water freezes, the resulting ice is not salty.The salt is pushed out of the ice crystals as they form .

This causes the water around the new ice to become more salty.

Getting Water to HomesSome towns get it from groundwaterWater could have bacteria. Water needs to be

purified. Pg. 206-207Water is pumped, chemicals are added,The particles become heavy enough to sink.

Water then passes through filters.Water is then treated and small amounts of

chlorine are added.Bacteria is killed

QuestionsHow is fresh water different from ocean

water?How much of Earth’s fresh water is in ice

sheets and glaciers?How do icebergs form?

AnswersOcean water has much more dissolved salt. It

is not used for drinking, cooking or cleaning.7/10The break off from glaciers or ice sheets