Groundwater 101

A look at the water cycle.

Groundwater Cycle

Water is found in three forms on Earth: Solid, Liquid, and Gas
Water source Water volume, in
cubic miles
Percent of
total water
Oceans 317,000,000 97.24%
Icecaps, Glaciers 7,000,000 2.14%
Ground water 2,000,000 0.61%
Fresh-water lakes 30,000 0.009%
Inland seas 25,000 0.008%
Soil moisture 16,000 0.005%
Atmosphere 3,100 0.001%
Rivers 300 0.0001%
Total water volume 326,000,000 100%
Source: Nace, U.S. Geological Survey, 1967 and
The Hydrologic Cycle (Pamphlet), U.S. Geological Survey, 1984