A fertile or green spot in a desert or wasteland - made so by the presence of water.

Species that are found only in Wetlands - e.g. - cattail (Typha latifolia) as opposed to Ubiquitous Hydrophytes - species that grow either in wetland or on upland areas

A well used to monitor changes in water levels of an aquifer and to obtain samples for water quality analyses. Also see Wellhead Protection Program.

A method of determining the approximate age of an obsidian artifact by the measurement of the thickness of a microscopically visible

Includes - but is not limited to - any dam - wall - wharf - embankment - levee - dike - pile - abutment - protection - excavation - channelization - bridge - conduit - culvert - building - wire - fence - rock - gravel refuse - fill - structure - vegetation or other material in - along - across or projecting into any watercourse which may alter - impede - retard or change the direction and/or velocity of the flow of water - or due to its location - its propensity to snare or collect debris carried by the flow of water - or its likelihood of being carried downstream.

Operating criteria originally instituted in 1967 for water diversions and irrigation of the Newlands (Irrigation) Project [Nevada] in the Carson River Basin and designed to maximize use of Carson River flows to satisfy project requirements and minimize diversions from the Truckee River. Current OCAP requirements for this project were set in 1988 and according to Public Law 101

The widespread (cloudiness and precipitation) that results when the faster-moving cold front overtakes the warm front and lifts it aloft - often stalling in the process.

Generally - the whole body of salt water which covers nearly three fourths of the surface of the globe. The average depth of the ocean is estimated to be about 13,000 feet (3,960 meters); the greatest reported depth is 34,218 feet (10,430 meters) - north of Mindanao in the Western Pacific Ocean. The ocean bottom is a generally level or gently undulating plain - covered with a fine red or gray clay - or - in certain regions - with ooze of organic origin. The water - whose composition is fairly constant - contains on the average 3

A variance from Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements for discharges into marine waters.

Under the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 - which amended the 1972 Marine Protection - Research - and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) - no new permits for the dumping of sewage sludge or industrial waste are allowed - and all holders of existing permits were forced to cease ocean dumping of these materials on December 31 - 1991.

Unconsolidated materials that settle and accumulate on the floor of the deep ocean. These materials can be fine muds and clays - quartz grains - dust - glacial debris comprised of microscopic shells of plants or animals - and substances precipitated directly from seawater.

Electricity generation by making use of the temperature difference (as much as 20EC - or 68EF - in the tropics) between the top and bottom layers of the ocean to convert a fluid to vapor - which in turn powers a turbine generator. Low efficiency and saltwater corrosion are two current technical problems with the implementation of OTEC.

The temperature difference between deep and surface water in the oceans. Oceanography

A person trained to live in underwater installations and conduct - assist in - or be a subject of scientific research. Also called Aquanaut.

The oceans of the world include the North and South Atlantic Oceans - the North and South Pacific Oceans - the Arctic Ocean - the Antarctic Ocean - and the Indian Ocean. Figuratively - these are referred to as the Seven Seas.