On the Origin of Springs

work by Perrault

Also known as: “De l’origine des fontaines”

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July 1, 2026

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Pierre Perrault's work, On the Origin of Springs (1674), was a foundational text in establishing hydrology as a quantitative science. Perrault refuted older theories, such as those proposed by Plato and Aristotle, which suggested subterranean condensation or seawater return flow accounted for springs and rivers.12

Through his study of the Seine River basin, Perrault demonstrated that annual precipitation was more than sufficient to sustain river flow. His calculations showed that the river's runoff was only about one-sixth of the water that fell as rain or snow within the drainage basin. This quantitative approach marked a significant advancement in understanding Earth's water cycle.12

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Pierre Perrault
…De l’origine des fontaines (1674; On the Origin of Springs), he presented a study of a substantial section of the Seine River, beginning at its source, northwest of the city of Dijon. His numerical estimates demonstrated that the annual river runoff was only one-sixth of the amount of water falling…
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…De l’origine des fontaines (1674; On the Origin of Springs), he presented a study of a substantial section of the Seine River, beginning at its source, northwest of the city of Dijon. His numerical estimates demonstrated that the annual river runoff was only one-sixth of the amount of water falling…
Read More