Glossary
The following words and definitions will assist you in understanding the more technical aspects of Source Protection.
watershed
area of land that contributes water to a particular watercourse
hydrologic cycle
natural process where water moves as gas, liquid or solid through the environment
source water
water in the environment that may be used as a supply for a drinking water system
tributary
segment of a watercourse that joins with the main branch
aquifer
underground area of rock or loose material that is saturated with water
headwaters
upper limits of the watershed
wetlands
permanently or seasonally inundated lands
channel
normal area that a river occupies
floodplain
area on either side of a watercourse that may be covered by water in times of high flow
confluence
where a branch of a watercourse joins the main channel
mouth
marks the end of a watercourse at a body of water, usually a lake or the sea
groundwater
water that exists in the spaces of bedrock or loose material, such as sand and gravel
divide
marks the high point of land that separates one watershed from another