Surface Water Ecosystems

Rivers and Streams River- large, flowing body of water that erodes the floodplain over time Stream- Small, flowing body of water that often leads into a river

Fast-Moving Water High dissolved oxygen levels Clear water Little plant growth Rocky bottom Home to trout

Slow-Moving Water Low dissolved oxygen levels Debris settles to the bottom High nutrient levels More plant growth Freshwater mussels, minnows, and leeches

Still Water

Lakes Natural Large and deep Plants grow along the shallow shoreline Cold temperatures Sunlight does not reach the bottom

Ponds Usually man-made Shallow Plants found at all levels Sunlight reaches the bottom Water is warmer and high in nutrients

Reservoir Artificial lake built by damming a stream or river Stores water

Uses of Reservoirs Source of drinking water and irrigation Dams generate hydroelectric power Source of recreation Can prevent flooding by regulating the flow of water

Wetlands Land areas that remain wet for all or part of the year Act as sponges, collecting and holding rainwater to prevent flooding Filter pollutants and sediment out of water