California Water Glossary

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CALIFORNIA WATER GLOSSARY

Acre-foot: The quantity of water required to cover one acre to a depth of one foot, equal to approximately 325,900 gallons of water.
Agricultural drainage: The excess run-off from a field after water has been used for an agricultural purpose, possibly containing sediment or other agricultural residues.

Agricultural run-off: Water applies to an agricultural field, not evaporated, absorbed into the ground, or utilized by the vegetation, transferred back into the water system for instream and downstream use.

Agricultural water supplier: An organization formed under California law for the purpose of delivering or supply, wholesale water, primarily for commercial agricultural (i.e. water districts).

Applied water: The quantity of water actually put onto the soil in irrigation.

Aquifers: A naturally occurring underground geologic formation which stores a significant amount of water.

Bureau of Reclamation (USBR): An agency in the U.S. Department of Interior, which operates federal water projects in 17 western states.

CALFED Bay-Delta Program (CALFED): The joint federal and state program to develop long-term solutions to water problems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay.

Central Valley Project (CVP): The federal water storage and transportation system in California.

Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA): Federal law passed in 1992 that changed the way the CVP is operated and reduced water supplies for agriculture.

Central Valley Project Water Association (CVPWA): A statewide association of CVP contractors.

Conjunctive use: The practice of using ground and surface water.

Cubic feet per second (CFS): A water flow measurement.

Department of Water Resources (DWR): A state agency within the Resources Agency that operates the State Water Project.

Developed water supply: The water available for agricultural, municipal, industrial and environmental uses, not including the water which is evaporated, flowing directly into the ocean, or naturally diverted to other uses.

Drip irrigation: A method of irrigation that delivers a measured amount of water through an emitter located near each plant to be irrigated at frequent intervals. Drip irrigation can take place above or below ground and is one of the most efficient methods of irrigating.

Endangered Species Act (ESA): Federal and state law protecting threatened or endangered species which reduces water supplies for agriculture.

Entitlement water: Water guaranteed under contract for delivery, contingent on supply.
Evapotranspiration: The amount of water evaporating from soil and plant surfaces, plus water transpired by the plant during growth.

Furrow irrigation: A method of irrigation in which water is introduced at one end of the field and flows through the furrows between each row of plants. Water seeps sideways as well as down to irrigate the plants.

Groundwater: Water that is stored naturally in the ground, usually in aquifers. Some stores of groundwater are naturally and regularly replenished, while others are depletable sources of water, not easily and quickly recharged.

Irrigation efficiency: The measurement of water lost to evaporation and run-off from an irrigated field, derived from the ratio of the average depth of water seeped and stored at the root zone to the average depth of water applied to the field.

Nonpoint source pollution: Pollution that is carried in run-off water from widely dispersed land areas, such as fields, forests or urban areas.

Overdraft: The average yearly amount of water removed from an underground basin which exceeds the amount replenished, occurring over the long term.

Point source pollution: Pollution that is discharged from a discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, such as a pipe, ditch or channel, tunnel, conduit, well container, concentrated animal feeding operation or vessel.

Recharge: The natural or artificial process of replenishing the groundwater.

San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA): Organization comprised of public water agencies, including Westlands, that receive their water from the Delta-Mendota and San Luis canals.

San Luis Unit (SLU): Part of the Central Valley Project, consisting of the San Luis Canal (California Aqueduct), San Luis Reservoir and the Delta-Mendota Canal.

Sprinkler irrigation: A method of irrigating by use of mechanical devices, some permanently installed and others portable, that sprinkle water over crops to simulate rain.

State Water Project (SWP): The state water system.

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB): A state agency with jurisdiction over water rights and water quality issues in California.

Water transfers: A transaction between a water supplier, agreeing to transfer a volume of water, and the recipient of the water, under mutually acceptable terms, including the volume of water, the price paid, the time period and the condition of water for transfer.


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	CALIFORNIA WATER GLOSSARY
	Acre-foot: The quantity of water required to cover one acre to a depth of one foot, equal to approximately 325,900 gallons of water. Agricultural drainage: The excess run-off from a field after water has been used for an agricultural purpose, possibly containing sediment or other agricultural residues. Agricultural run-off: Water applies to an agricultural field, not evaporated, absorbed into the ground, or utilized by the vegetation, transferred back into the water system for instream and downstream use. Agricultural water supplier: An organization formed under California law for the purpose of delivering or supply, wholesale water, primarily for commercial agricultural (i.e. water districts). Applied water: The quantity of water actually put onto the soil in irrigation. Aquifers: A naturally occurring underground geologic formation which stores a significant amount of water. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR): An agency in the U.S. Department of Interior, which operates federal water projects in 17 western states. CALFED Bay-Delta Program (CALFED): The joint federal and state program to develop long-term solutions to water problems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay. Central Valley Project (CVP): The federal water storage and transportation system in California. Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA): Federal law passed in 1992 that changed the way the CVP is operated and reduced water supplies for agriculture. Central Valley Project Water Association (CVPWA): A statewide association of CVP contractors. Conjunctive use: The practice of using ground and surface water. Cubic feet per second (CFS): A water flow measurement. Department of Water Resources (DWR): A state agency within the Resources Agency that operates the State Water Project. Developed water supply: The water available for agricultural, municipal, industrial and environmental uses, not including the water which is evaporated, flowing directly into the ocean, or naturally diverted to other uses. Drip irrigation: A method of irrigation that delivers a measured amount of water through an emitter located near each plant to be irrigated at frequent intervals. Drip irrigation can take place above or below ground and is one of the most efficient methods of irrigating. Endangered Species Act (ESA): Federal and state law protecting threatened or endangered species which reduces water supplies for agriculture.	Entitlement water: Water guaranteed under contract for delivery, contingent on supply. Evapotranspiration: The amount of water evaporating from soil and plant surfaces, plus water transpired by the plant during growth. Furrow irrigation: A method of irrigation in which water is introduced at one end of the field and flows through the furrows between each row of plants. Water seeps sideways as well as down to irrigate the plants. Groundwater: Water that is stored naturally in the ground, usually in aquifers. Some stores of groundwater are naturally and regularly replenished, while others are depletable sources of water, not easily and quickly recharged. Irrigation efficiency: The measurement of water lost to evaporation and run-off from an irrigated field, derived from the ratio of the average depth of water seeped and stored at the root zone to the average depth of water applied to the field. Nonpoint source pollution: Pollution that is carried in run-off water from widely dispersed land areas, such as fields, forests or urban areas. Overdraft: The average yearly amount of water removed from an underground basin which exceeds the amount replenished, occurring over the long term. Point source pollution: Pollution that is discharged from a discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, such as a pipe, ditch or channel, tunnel, conduit, well container, concentrated animal feeding operation or vessel. Recharge: The natural or artificial process of replenishing the groundwater. San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA): Organization comprised of public water agencies, including Westlands, that receive their water from the Delta-Mendota and San Luis canals. San Luis Unit (SLU): Part of the Central Valley Project, consisting of the San Luis Canal (California Aqueduct), San Luis Reservoir and the Delta-Mendota Canal. Sprinkler irrigation: A method of irrigating by use of mechanical devices, some permanently installed and others portable, that sprinkle water over crops to simulate rain. State Water Project (SWP): The state water system. State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB): A state agency with jurisdiction over water rights and water quality issues in California. Water transfers: A transaction between a water supplier, agreeing to transfer a volume of water, and the recipient of the water, under mutually acceptable terms, including the volume of water, the price paid, the time period and the condition of water for transfer.