Whether you are buying, selling, or improving, it is best to understand what these terms mean, and sometimes it can be an overwhelming task to search a host of different locations for such information.  We have compiled a list of nearly 100 terms that will be helpful in any water issues you may face or want to learn more about.  Below is a sampling of terms included in the glossary.  Insider Basic Members can click here for the complete glossary of terms.  Not an Insider?  Join now, it's free.

Baseflow - that part of streamflow derived from groundwater flowing into a stream or river.

Brook - a natural stream of water, smaller than a river or creek; especially a small stream that breaks directly out of the ground, as from a spring or seep.

Discharge - the volume of water that passes a given point during a given period. It is an all-inclusive outflow term, describing a variety of flows such as from a pipe to a stream, or from a stream or river to a lake or ocean.

Dispersion - the spreading and mixing of chemical constituents in both surface and groundwaters caused by diffusion and mixing due to microscopic variations in densities and velocities.

Eutrophication - the process of nutrient enrichment causing a water body to fill with aquatic plants and algae. Eutrophic lakes often are undesirable for recreation and may not support normal fish populations.

Field capacity - the amount of water a saturated soil contains after rapid internal drainage has ceased (approximately 2 days).

Limiting factor - any factor such as temperature, light, water, or chemical that limits the existence, growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism. For example, an increase in phosphorus loading to a lake, stream, or river can trigger the growth of algae.

Percolation - the movement of water through saturated soil layers, often continuing downward to groundwater.

Porosity - the ratio of the volume of open spaces or voids to the total volume of a material. For example, a sand and gravel deposit may have 20 % porosity. Porosity determines the amount of water that can be stored in a saturated formation. A saturated formation 100 feet thick with a porosity of 20 % could store an equivalent water depth of approximately 20 feet.

A conservation buffer is a small strip of land in permanent vegetation that helps to control an environmental problem or concern.  They are typically less expensive to install than other practices which require more engineering and construction.  There are many different types of buffers such as a windbreak which we discussed in a previous article,  shelter belts, field borders,  alley cropping,  areas of shallow water,  living snow fences, contour grass strips, vegetative barriers, and riparian buffers.  Each serve a different purpose or help control a particular concern.

Why are they important?

There are a multitude of reasons a buffer can be beneficial.  Riparian buffers, for example, can be quite beneficial in enhancing water quality.  By slowing the water flow, the velocity of nutrient rich water is slowed, thus reducing bacteria, sediment and pesticides in the waterway.  Forested riparian buffers, which include both grass and trees, also enhance streams by providing woody debris which in turn provides better habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Grassed waterways can prevent gully erosion and can also trap sediments and other pollutants.  Similarly, contoured grass strips can prevent these things as well and also provide a wildlife habitat.

Conservation buffers can provide connecting pathways for wildlife from habitat to another and protect them from inclement weather conditions.  Buffers such as windbreaks and shelter belts can conserve energy and reduce noise and odor.  Living snow fences can minimize the amount of snow deposited near particular structures, roads, and other property.

In addition, the NRCS states that Conservation buffers may be of economic value to land owners because of the financial incentives associated with conservation programs such as CPR  (Conservation Reserve Program) and WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program).  Many state and local governments offer financial incentives for conservation buffers as well.  To find out more about these programs, contact your local USDA office or contact us at info@greenwoodproject.com

We constantly receive tips on how to conserve and be better stewards of the great outdoors we have inherited.  If you are like me, sometimes when you read these tips, you see the first one, and say, "it's impossible for me to do that" and don't bother to read the rest that may be attainable.  I think the first one that comes to mind is the advice to carpool or take public transportation.  Great suggestion if you live in a city but for those living in rural America not only is public transportation out, for the most part carpooling is as well.  Don't despair, there are plenty other things you can do to contribute to the conservation of this great earth....and most are things you would not think about doing...or perhaps you are doing them and haven't realized how much it helps.

Conservation Tips

• Do you turn off the water in the sink when shaving or brushing your teeth??
• Do you unplug chargers not in use.....did you realize they still use about 5 watts of power per  hour even when they aren't recharging equipment?
• Do you keep your tires properly inflated?  Automobiles lose approximately 1% of fuel efficiency for every 3 pounds of pressure less than what is recommended
• Do you print on both sides of the paper vs. one?  Approximately 10,000 sheets of letter paper are used by every U.S. worker each year.  Imagine the savings there!

And lastly.......gather your friends and family for a little "low tech" fun.  Play a board game, take a walk, or just sit on the porch, patio or deck.  Such activities don't require a lot in the way of natural resource usage and offer a great way to enjoy the company of others.

More Conservation Tips from the Web

Here are some articles that have additional conservation tips:

• Water-saving shower accessory » Communications From Elsewhere ... - $9 of parts at Home Depot could save you some money in water bills. Adding a shutoff valve just before your shower head allows you to shut off the shower while you're shaving or letting your conditioner sit, or whatever you might be doing in the shower that doesn't require the water to be running. You can shut it off with the valve and not have to adjust the temperature with the main controls to turn it back on.
• clearwater florida homeowners will you skip a week to help? - clearwater florida - today swiftmud is asking all of us that own homes in clearwater to all do our part to help conserve water in the tampa bay area. luckily in clearwater many of our neighborhoods... the complete article is found on my ...
• Free Article Directory, Free Articles For Your Website. Free ... - Part of energy conservation tips is this: avoid placing heating devices near your air-conditioner as they can increase your air conditioner's electricity consumption. Examples of the said devices are TVs, lamps, personal computers, ...
• 8 Water Conservation Tips « OrganicAuthority.com – Organic Blog - The BP oil spill reminds us that our oceans are precious and water is not an infinite resource. The Nature Conservancy and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power offer the following tips for conserving water: Install a low-flow ...
• Geening Your Bath Water – Conservation Tips | Green Living Guide ... - FACT: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoors, 3/4 of all water is used in the bathroom. One easy and inexpensive way.
• Energy Conservation Tips that Won't Change your Lifestyle - So much of what you do each day depends on energy – usually electricity – that it seems impossible to change it. And any change that you can make is a drop in the ocean compared to what needs to be done. However, as history has shown us ...
• Going With The Flow - Water Conservation Tips. Here are some easy water-saving steps everyone can take: Turn off the water! When washing your hands, brushing your teeth, shaving or doing dishes, turn off the faucet when not directly in use. ...