When it rains, why doesn’t water permeate through the lake?
Water! Water Everywhere!
When it rains, water falls from the sky, and it seems like there’s water everywhere! But have you ever wondered why the water doesn’t disappear into the ground or soak into the lake? Let’s find out!
Layers of Earth
The ground we walk on is made up of different layers, just like a cake has different layers. These layers have different materials, like rocks and soil. The top layer is called the “soil” or “topsoil.” It’s the part with dirt and tiny pieces of plants.
Hidden Layers
Underneath the soil, there are more layers, sort of like hidden secret layers. One of these layers is called the “clay layer.” Clay is a special type of soil that can hold a lot of water because its tiny particles are packed very closely together.
Preventing Permeation
The reason water doesn’t go through the lake when it rains is because of the clay layer. You can think of the clay layer like a wall that blocks the water from going deep into the ground. It’s like having a waterproof raincoat on the ground!
- Water struggles to move through the tightly packed clay particles.
- So, instead of going through, the water stays on the surface, turning into puddles or forming lakes.
This helps keep the lake full even when it rains a lot!
Little Helpers: Plants and Roots
Plants and their roots are another reason water doesn’t easily get soaked up by the lake. You see, plants need water just like you need water to grow, stay healthy, and survive.
- The plants in and around the lake have roots that spread out in the soil.
- These roots act like straws and drink the water from the soil.
- The plants take in the water they need, but they also take some for the Lake.
So, the plants drink up some of the water, making sure the lake doesn’t overflow with rainwater!
Let’s Recap!
So, when it rains, the clay layer and the plants work together to stop all the water from sinking into the ground and instead keep it in the lake.
Here are the key points to remember:
- The clay layer is like a wall that stops the water from going deep into the ground.
- Plants and their roots drink up some water and help keep the lake from overflowing.
Now you know why the lake doesn’t fill up too quickly when it rains! Isn’t it fascinating how nature works?
