Water Resources of the United States

DEFINITIONS

Aquaculture - Farming of organisms that live in the water, such as fish, shellfish, and algae.

Aquifer - An underground layer of porous or fractured rock filled with water that is the source of water to a well or spring.

Consumed - That part of water withdrawals that is evaporated, stored in food, drunk by people or animals, or somehow removed from the local environment.

Ground water - Water found underground that flows through porous or fractured rocks and soils, supplying water to wells and springs.

Instream use - The use of water that does not require removing water from a river, stream, lake, pond, or surface water source. Instream use generally consumes very little water.

Offstream use - Water removed or taken from a ground or surface water source. Offstream uses usually consume water, reducing the amount available for other uses.

Return flow - Water that is not consumed, but is returned to a surface or ground water source, and available for reuse.

Surface water - Water that is on the Earth's surface, such as in rivers, streams, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds.

Water table - The top of the water within an aquifer.

Withdrawal - Water removed from the ground or a surface water source for use.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This poster is the beginning of a cooperative program with the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation of the U.S. Department of the Interior; and the American Water Resources Association, to develop a set of K-12 water resource educational materials for distribution nationwide. As part of this program, a group of water resource specialists is being assembled for classroom visits.

For further information about this water resource educational program contact:

American Water Resources Association
5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 220
Bethesda, MD 20814-2192
Telephone (301) 493-8600

POSTER AVAILABILITY

The following individuals and organizations contributed to the development of this poster:

Principal Author and Poster Design
Stephen Vandas, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado

Layout and Art Work
Frank Farrar, Frank Farrar Graphics, Denver, Colorado,
Under contract to the American Water Resources Association

The National Science Teachers Association
1742 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. administration.