Groundwater that moves from one place to another depending on soil and geologic properties, natural boundaries that inhibit movement, and the temporal and spatial factors that govern the flow regime.

Different or dissimilar in structure, function, composition, quality, or origin.

Describes the solar energy-driven process by which water moves and is distributed on the earth's surface; includes as major components precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, surface runoff, and groundwater flows.

The study of water, including its occurrence, distribution, movement, properties, and processes.

An explanation for natural or other phenomena, developed using abductive reasoning following observation (the scientific method). The hypothesis is tested through the use of designed experiments, and shown to be either valid or invalid. If the original research hypothesis is deemed invalid, a new hypothesis must be developed, often based on further ovservation as well as the results from the previous experiment(s).

A body of water, such as a pond, lake, tank, or reservoir, that is confined within a human-built enclosure.

A scale comparing relative values with each other or a predetermined reference.

The process by which precipitation enters sub-surface layers of the soil; some is held as soil moisture recharge, some resurfaces as streamflow, and the remainder becomes part of groundwater flows (aquifers).

The activities, operations, or purposes that are employed in a particualr geographic area; the specific manner in which a parcel or tract of land is utilized. Land use is usually regulated by municipal governments through zoning ordinances, although some land uses are regulated by state or federal governments.

A levee, also known as a dike or flood-wall, is a natural or man-made flood-control structure usually consisting of a wall or mound of earth (sometimes rock or stone) running generally parallel to a river or other drainage channel, or along ocean frontage. Levees help to contain floods within the channel by raising the height of the riverbank, thereby allowing the channel to hold a greater volume of water before flooding begins. Levees are also used to protect low-lying land near the ocean that has been reclaimed by pumping and dredging and developed, as in the coastal areas of Louisiana (United States).

An artificial line used by surveyors to measure the natural, uneven, winding property line formed by rivers, streams and other watercourses bordering a property.

A watercourse that is deep and wide enough to accept commercial vessel (boat) traffic. Also known as a navigable waterway.

A watercourse that is deep and wide enough to accept commercial vessel (boat) traffic. Also known as a navigable river.

A watercourse that is either too shallow or too narrow to allow commercial vessel (boat or ship) traffic. Also known as a non-navigable waterway.

A watercourse that is either too shallow or too narrow to allow commercial vessel (boat or ship) traffic. Also known as a non-navigable river.

The first step in the scientific method, observation is the act of examining, inspecting, or scrutinizing natural or other phenomena in such a manner that leads to the use of abductive reasoning to explain them.

The actual outcome of a designed experiment using the scientific method. This outcome is compared to the expected outcome as described in the research hypothesis, and a conclusion is made that the experimental data either supports or contradicts the hypothesis.

Office of Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) that oversees the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs. Both programs address 100-year water supply issues in new subdivisions in Arizona.

Occurring regularly or semi-regularly in time, as a periodic tenancy, periodic rent, periodic portfolio review, etc.

Water that falls from the atmosphere to the earth's surface due to climatic factors, primarily in the forms of rain and snow.

Part of a stream or river where the current is swift.

A pattern of regular or semi-regular occurrences or processes that characterizes and governs a natural system, as in precipitation regime, fire regime, disturbance regime, etc.

The gradual acquisition of dry, usable land due to receding waters in a non-navigable waterway.

The outcome of an experiment conducted using the scientific method. This observed result is compared to the expected result according to the research hypothesis, and a conclusion is made about whether the results support or contradict the hypothesis.

See "Surface runoff".