Visible water on the landscape is called what?

Surface water refers to the water that is found on the surface of the Earth, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams. This type of water is directly observable and plays a crucial role in various ecological systems, as well as in human activities such as agriculture, recreation, and drinking water supply. Surface water is essential for assessing the hydrology of an area and is often a critical component in managing water resources.

Ground water, on the other hand, is located below the Earth's surface in aquifers and is not visible from the landscape, making it distinct from surface water. Aquifer water is another term that refers specifically to water stored in geological formations that can yield water to wells and springs, and is not typically visible on the surface. Stored water is a more general term that could refer to any water retained in various forms (including both surface and ground water) but does not specifically denote water that is visible on the landscape. Thus, surface water is the most accurate choice for describing visible water present on the terrain.