Evaporation in inches from a standard Weather Bureau Class A pan
ADWR Dictionary
ADWR Dictionary
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Pan evaporation
Peak flow gage
A mechanical device that measures the maximum instantaneous discharge of a stream or river at a given location. Peak flow usually occurs at the time of maximum stage.
Perennial stream
A stream or part of a stream with surface flow throughout the year, drying only during periods of drought.
Phreatophyte
A deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from a permanent groundwater supply.
Porosity
The amount of space between soil or rock particles where water can be stored.
Primary treatment
The first stage in wastewater treatment where some solids and organic material are removed by screening and sedimentation. It removes about 35% of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and less than half of the metals or toxic organic substances.
Private water company (PWC)
Any entity which distributes or sells groundwater, except a political subdivision or an entity that is established as a special taxing district. A city or town is not a private water company. In the Santa Cruz AMA, this definition is expanded to include water, other than stored water, withdrawn from a well.
Public utility
Any person, corporation, district, electric cooperative, public agency or political subdivision of the state that provides electrical service to the public by means of electric facilities or provides water for municipal, industrial, irrigation, recreation and fish and wildlife purposes to the public.
Public waters
Waters of all sources flowing in streams, canyons, ravines or other natural channels or in definite underground channels, whether perennial or intermittent, flood, waste or surplus water, and of lakes, ponds and springs on the surface.