1. The Water Cycle
Earth—The Blue Planet / The Water Cycle
2. The Structure and Properties of Water
Molecular Structure of Water / Properties of Water
3. Water in the Air: Evaporation and Condensation
Evaporation / Condensation / Applications
4. Precipitation
The Process of Precipitation / Snow / Interception / Applications
5. Infiltration and Soil Water
Infiltration / Soil Water / Applications
6. Evapotranspiration
The Process of Transpiration / Osmosis—a Process of Selective Diffusion / Measuring Evapotranspiration / Estimation of Evapotranspiration for a Growing Crop / Potential Evapotranspiration / Effect of Evapotranspiration on Water Supply / Phreatophytes—Water Thieves of the Desert / Applications
7. Groundwater
The Groundwater Reservoir / Aquifers / Aquifers as Reservoirs: Groundwater in Storage / Interpretation of Water Levels and Storage Reduction / Aquifers as Conduits—Groundwater in Motion / Applications
8. Runoff
The Runoff Cycle / Factors Affecting Runoff / Measurement of Runoff / The Stream Channel and Its Floodplain / Floods / Applications
9. Chemical Quality of Natural Water
What Is Salinity? / Dissolved Solids / Global Circulation of Dissolved Solids / How Quality Affects Use / Applications
10. The Water Cycle and Man
The Beginning of Western Civilization / The Middle Ages / Modern Times—The Age of Science / Water Problems—Ancient and Modern / Conclusion
Appendix I: Map of California Showing Locations of Examples Discussed in Text
Appendix II: Moving Averages
Appendix III: Sources of Hydrologic Data
Appendix IV: References