Where is surface water typically stored for later use?

Surface water is typically stored in an impoundment, which is designed specifically to collect and hold water from rivers, streams, or other bodies of water for later use. Impoundments create reservoirs that can be used for various purposes, including drinking water supply, irrigation, flood control, and recreational activities. They are constructed by building barriers such as dams to retain surface water.

While reservoirs are similar and can also serve this purpose, the term "impoundment" emphasizes the process of holding the water back and managing it. Additionally, aquifers, which are underground layers of water-bearing rock, and wells, drilled into these aquifers, do not store surface water directly; they are more related to groundwater storage and extraction. Therefore, the focus on surface water storage indicates that an impoundment is the correct answer.