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Glossary beginning with W

terms for which definitions are available

watercourse

a channel or conveyance of surface water having a defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow

watershed

The area of land draining to a stream, river, or other water body. Watershed boundaries are established where any precipitation falling within the boundary will drain to a single water body. Precipitation falling outside the boundary will drain to a different watershed. These boundaries are typically formed on high elevation ridges. The water bodies formed from the watershed drainage are usually at the lowest elevation in the watershed. Watersheds can also be called drainage basins.