Final answer:
Groundwater is stored in the subsurface and can emerge in discharge zones to feed streams and lakes. It can be replenished through infiltration in recharge areas and withdrawn for use from aquifers. Overuse can lead to environmental issues such as a cone of depression and subsidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groundwater distribution and interaction with streams involve complex systems including aquifers, discharge zones, and subsurface flow. Groundwater exists in the spaces between soil particles and within rock fractures, comprising one of the most significant sources of fresh water on Earth. The upper surface of the saturated zone is known as the water table, which fluctuates based on factors such as precipitation and water withdrawal.
Infiltration is a key process where water moves from the surface into the subsurface, contributing to groundwater recharge, especially in designated recharge areas. Aquifers are geological formations capable of storing and transmitting water efficiently; these can be either confined or unconfined, influencing how easily water can be extracted from them for use.
Discharge zones are locations where groundwater emerges naturally at the surface, often feeding into streams and lakes. Over-pumping of groundwater can lead to a cone of depression forming around a well, which may alter the direction of groundwater flow or even cause subsidence, the sinking of the ground. Streams can either lose water to the groundwater system (losing streams) or gain water from it (gaining streams), depending on the relative levels of the water table and stream bed.