Sources of Water

All fresh water starts out as rain, hail or snow. When snow and hail melt, the water they produce combines with other water from rain to form streams. Many of these begin on the sides of mountains or hills, and flow down to the valleys below. The water from many different streams combines to form rivers. Some of these rivers flow into lakes before continuing on their journey to the sea.

In many developed countries rivers and lakes have been dammed to create water reservoirs. This water is then carried by pipes to people living in the area, and may even be piped to people living a long distance away.

A lot of fresh water soaks down into the ground, and in many places it accumulates below the surface. This ground water is often clean and uncontaminated. It may re-appear on the surface as a spring. It can also be reached by people digging a well, or by sinking a bore. A bore is a pipe through which water can be pumped to the surface.

Picture Gallery
Mountains in Sagarmatha National Park