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How the Ground Beneath Our Feet Controls Where Water Goes

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What Happens When Rain Hits the Ground?

Once rain reaches the surface, the land decides what happens next. Water can: Soak into the ground → This is called infiltration. Flow over the surface → This is called runoff. The land controls how fast water moves — and what it carries.

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You will be able to answer:

• What is the difference between infiltration and runoff?
• Why do clay soils produce more runoff than sandy soils?
• How can wildfire burn scars increase flooding and nutrient delivery to the ocean?
• How could storms, urban development, and burn scars together affect sea lion habitats?