How Water Moves through Sequoia National Park
The types of reservoirs in this park are lakes, soil, rivers, glaciers, groundwater, and the atmosphere. Water moves between these reservoirs in Sequoia National Park through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. It moves in a cycle called the water cycle. In the water cycle water evaporates from a reservoir, condensates in the atmosphere, and precipitates into a reservoir. This process does not only happen in Sequoia National Park but around the whole world.
There are many rivers but they are very dangerous to travel and swim in. In fact drowning is the number one cause of death in the National Parks. The reason is because during Spring and early Summer melting snow or glaciers the mountains make the rivers swift and icy cold. Water flows through the rivers and tributaries to a larger river, lakes, or into the Pacific Ocean. A major river of the park is Kern River. We know water moves or flows because of forces like gravity. Along the way the water evaporates into the Atmosphere. Eventually water does precipitate into the park too. We have proof of both because water evaporates because of heat and when the sun is out (or sometimes not) in the park its heat rays from the sun cause water to evaporate. Also water particles fall or precipitate in the park as rain, sleet, snow, and hail.
There are small bodies of water in the park that are small lakes (maybe ponds) but no big lakes, though there are two big lakes right outside the border of Sequoia National Park. They are Owens Lake and Isabella Lake. Heat rays cause water to evaporate (as mentioned before), which happens to all lakes in the park.
Another way water moves through the park is it infiltrates into the ground. The proof is there are underground caves like Crystal Cave that have stalactites and stalagmites. Both stalactites and stalagmites need water in order to form. Groundwater and water in soil can also be evaporated.
Glaciers in the mountains of Sequoia National Park melted and in liquid form of water it is sometimes evaporated because of heat from not only the sun but the change in seasons. When water particles precipitate in winter and fall (even Summer and Spring) in the mountains they usually fall as snow, hail, or sleet.
Organisms play a big part as a reservoir too. All organisms need water to live. That means Sequoia Trees need water to live. They use their roots and leaves to drink water. Every human and animal does too.
Photo below: The Kern River.
There are many rivers but they are very dangerous to travel and swim in. In fact drowning is the number one cause of death in the National Parks. The reason is because during Spring and early Summer melting snow or glaciers the mountains make the rivers swift and icy cold. Water flows through the rivers and tributaries to a larger river, lakes, or into the Pacific Ocean. A major river of the park is Kern River. We know water moves or flows because of forces like gravity. Along the way the water evaporates into the Atmosphere. Eventually water does precipitate into the park too. We have proof of both because water evaporates because of heat and when the sun is out (or sometimes not) in the park its heat rays from the sun cause water to evaporate. Also water particles fall or precipitate in the park as rain, sleet, snow, and hail.
There are small bodies of water in the park that are small lakes (maybe ponds) but no big lakes, though there are two big lakes right outside the border of Sequoia National Park. They are Owens Lake and Isabella Lake. Heat rays cause water to evaporate (as mentioned before), which happens to all lakes in the park.
Another way water moves through the park is it infiltrates into the ground. The proof is there are underground caves like Crystal Cave that have stalactites and stalagmites. Both stalactites and stalagmites need water in order to form. Groundwater and water in soil can also be evaporated.
Glaciers in the mountains of Sequoia National Park melted and in liquid form of water it is sometimes evaporated because of heat from not only the sun but the change in seasons. When water particles precipitate in winter and fall (even Summer and Spring) in the mountains they usually fall as snow, hail, or sleet.
Organisms play a big part as a reservoir too. All organisms need water to live. That means Sequoia Trees need water to live. They use their roots and leaves to drink water. Every human and animal does too.
Photo below: The Kern River.