Off topic a bit, but this subject makes me think of another physics question that haunts me. Water in a lake more or less "self-levels". What about water in a river? Is its surface "sloped" downhill/downstream? It can't really "self-level" like water in a lake, unless it undulates or "stair-steps"... I realize it's constantly moving, but in a slow-moving stream I'd think it would level out quicker than it would flow downstream. What about a lake with an entry and exit stream? Does the water slope downhill in the top stream, level out in the pond, and then slope downhill again as it exits the pond?
Anyway, sorry for the hijack- just another "head-ache" question...