Surface water refers to all the water bodies that are present on the surface of the earth. This includes rivers, streams, ponds, lakes.
Groundwater refers to the subsurface flow of water. When precipitation occurs, the water percolates downward through the rocks in the region where the rocks are porous and permeable, and this water then becomes groundwater.
A lake is usually defined as a large water body that is comprised of nutrient minerals and has extensive areas of open water. The depth of the lakes from one place to another and some are so deep that sunlight cannot penetrate into the deeper zone and the plants cannot carry out the process of photosynthesis.
A river is defined as a water body that flows from a region of higher elevation to the region of lower elevation and it flows across the land surface and configures the landscape.
Catchment basin is usually defined as a large area in which the precipitation occurs and the waters are accumulated and flow downward and mix up with the river channel and streams.
Wetlands are usually defined as an ecosystem that is comprised of shallow standing water, and a sufficient amount of vegetation.
