We were at the beach a while back, and saw a sight similar to this one –
The water coming in is forming a lake/pond/puddle where there was none, but it is not growing, the water there in the outlet just sinks into the sand. The question(s) Jon asked is:
“What makes the water stay in Devil’s Lake?”
“How does the lake stay full?”
and “How are lakes formed?”
I had looked up quite a few resources for a Lake Unit Study – but none of them seemed to answer his questions. They want us to know what is in the Lake – but not specifics.
This past week – God seemed to want to answer the last question – “How are Lakes Formed?” which I showed you a couple of posts ago – here : https://pebblekeeper.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/winter-forest-walkflood-style/
If you have facebook, my neighbor, JoDana, posted a video – we are in it – of the flooding on her property – http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1531786935984
We clearly saw that with one night of rain – rivers could form, topsoil and gravel stripped away, lakes formed, Basements Flooded, Roads gone, etc etc. 6 inches of rain – can do quite a bit to an already soggy coast.
We are working on a few soil experiments that are answering how water is held by the earth – and I will post them as we do them, instead of making this post REALLY long. 
Do you have any favorite soil experiments? Do you test your garden soil? Do you know what sort of loam is in your yard? Share with me! (And um, Jon, cause – ya know, it is his question)
+Angie Wright
Pebblekeeper 
Thanks! I had been trying to find the answer and didn’t have any luck. Thanks so much for finding it. He will be quite happy learning why. You are a sweetheart.
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In your science goody box are some pH strips. In your soil tests you can test the pH of the soil, water, etc. The pH level influences what nutrients are available to plants. (Hint: soil in wet climates are highly acidic while soils in arid climates are alkyline). A comparison of the types of plants that grow here vs in the desert might be an interesting exercise.
I don’t have any suggestions for you, but I do have a question I am having trouble finding an answer for…
Why does 80 degree air feel hot while 80 degree water feel cool? I know about evaporation, but even the parts of the body under the water feel cool.
Any ideas for an answer to that one?
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00690.htm seems to have the Physics Answers to this. I’m thinking – of how to have the kids figure it out, without giving them the answer – that I would hm. take a brick piece? and tape one of those Flat Sticky Thermometer things in the Fish/Reptile area to it. Heat the brick to 100 degrees, and then put on the thermometer in on it, and put it in 80 degree water, or – room temperature? like 65 degree water? and then one left out in 65% air? Time the change of when it evens out, see if the 30% difference is there? Maybe – hmmmm a Fimo Clay Baked Person? That would be funny to take pictures of. That’s my idea – off the hip. No one I asked to day had a simple solid answer like the website gave. Great Observation!