Learn about the different stages of the Earth's water cycle, and about processes involving water, including runoff, infiltration, and the differences between hard and soft water.

A quick summary of the water cycle that includes a diagram of the cycle, with links to in-depth explanations of each component of the cycle. Click "water-cycle home" to access water-cycle resources in a variety of languages.

Lake Mattamuskeet-so named by Algonquian Indians-is North Carolina's largest natural lake. The ancient body of water has not escaped man's intervention. Originally, Mattamuskeet was a shallow, self-contained lake without creeks or rivers...