This process is called evaporation. Evaporation occurs anywhere there is water such as lakes, streams and ponds. Since most water on earth is in the sea, this is where most evaporation occurs. It also can occur from soil and trees. If the air around them cools, they start to lose water, and it begins to rain.
Rain is the way water returns to the Earth from the clouds.
Rain is also known as precipitation. Rain falls to the Earth and is absorbed into the ground. The water then flows into rivers and streams. Rain can also be collected in man-made reservoirs. A reservoir is like a very large bowl.