The water that is present and visible on the land surface as rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, canals etc. In general, it is used to refer to freshwater bodies rather than the ocean. However, it can include inland saline seas.
Surface water and groundwater commonly interact with water flowing between them in either direction (sometimes carrying pollution). In other situations they are separated, for example by an impermeable clay base to a canal or lake.
See Groundwater
