Photosynthesis- The chemical process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into simple sugars for energy.

Point source pollution- Pollution that is discharged through a pipe or other conduit and usually is a regulated discharge.

Pollutant- Any substance or mixture of substances that defile or contaminate the soil, water or atmosphere. Pool Deeper areas of a stream often used by fish for cover.

Retrofitting- The practice of redesigning or altering an existing system for improved functioning ie. pollution reduction.

Reuse and recycle- The practice of reusing materials and recycling those which have been used.
Riffle- A shallow section of a stream where water bubbles over rocks, often found in shallow areas. Riprap Rocks used to hold soil in place on slopes or streambanks.

River- A body of running water of considerable volume usually moving over the Earth's surface in a channel or bed.

Rotational grazing- The practice of moving cattle to new locations to graze while allowing previously-grazed areas to revegetate.

Run- The straight section in a river between riffles, also refers to fish migration.

Runoff- The materials carried by rainwater off of the land to another location.

Salt water- Water that is saline.

Sanitary landfill- A place used to dispose of trash and other debris that has a permit to operate and has a liner and a cover of earth or other material.

Septic system- A system designed to breakdown household wastewater in areas not served by sewage treatment plants.

Settling ponds- Ponds constructed or used to hold storm water and other runoff where heavy materials can settle and the water can become clear before being discharged.

Sewershed- A watershed that has been altered by piping streams underground and has changed the natural flow regimes.

Slough- An inlet or backwater, sometimes an alternate branch of a river.

Soil- The top of Earth's surface suitable for growing plants or a particular type of earth.

Storm drain- Opening in a curb or street designed to direct stormwater off the streets and into a sewer.

Storm sewer- A sewer designed to carry storm water.

Storm water- Water from rainfall events.

Stream- A body of running water moving over the earth's surface in a channel or bed.

Strip cropping- The practice of planting crops in strips with vegetated buffers in between to capture runoff.
Strip mine- A mine which removes the top layer of earth in order to reach mineral reserves, also known as surface mines.

Stream- A body of running water usually moving over the Earth's surface in a channel or bed. Streambank The side of a stream.

Stream order- System used to number streams and their tributaries with first order as the headwater
stream. When joined by another first order stream the union of two streams becomes a second order stream and so on.

Subwatershed- A small watershed that is part of a larger watershed such as the watershed of a tributary stream. Surface water Water that flows over or is found on the Earth's surface.

Thermal pollution- Water that is polluted by heated discharge causing a temperature change above that which is normal.

Topography- The physical features of a place or region.

Toxic- Something that is harmful, destructive or deadly.

Toxicity- The degree to which a poison is toxic.

Toxin- A poisonous substance having a protein structure that is secreted by certain microorganisms.

Transpiration- The process of giving off vapor through the pores (stomata) of plant tissue.

Tributary- A stream or river that flows into another larger stream or river.

Wash- A dry stream bed in the Western United States.

Water conservation- The practice of using water wisely and in moderation so as to prevent unnecessary use.

Water pollution- Water that is contaminated.

Wastewater- Water that is a byproduct of a process such as cooling, washing or other practices.

Wastewater treatment plant- A facility designed to treat and clean wastewater to a specified level of purity, also called a sewage treatment plant.

Waterfowl- Birds that depend on water for habitat ie. ducks.

Watershed- An area of land that drains into a particular river or body of water usually divided by topography. Watershed model A model designed to represent a watershed.

Weathering- The act of cracking, crumbling flaking or dissolving of materials such as buildings or rocks by wind action or water.

Weed- Any plant that is unwanted.

Wetland- An area of land that is saturated at least part of the year by water, usually found in depressions, low-lying areas or along floodplain or coastal areas.

Zoning- The practice of dividing land into parcels pertaining to their use or activities within it.







*Note: The definitions used in this glossary have been simplified for easy comprehension by laypersons. For exact definitions please consult a dictionary or scientific references. Definitions presented here are those that pertain to the use of a word in this manual.