Channelization: Straightening and deepening streams so water will move faster.
Cistern: Large storage device that is often built below ground, at ground level, or on rooftops, for storing captured stormwater; can be integrated with more sophisticated pumping devices (e.g. collected stormwater that is subsequently used for flushing of toilets or irrigation applications).
Conservation easement: A tool to preserve native species, habitat, or landscape features; restricts a landowner to land uses that are compatible with long-term conservation and environmental values.
Critical habitat: A designated area for the conservation of an endangered or threatened species that may require special management considerations or protection.
Dike: an embankment or wall that contains water inside the walled area.
Easement: A limited right to use a part of land owned by another person or organization for a specific purpose, such as a right-of-way or a utility.
Endangered species: Animals, plants, birds, fish, or other living organisms threatened with extinction by man-made or natural changes in the environment.
Exempt well: A groundwater well with a maximum pump capacity of 35 gallons per minute (gpm), typically used for domestic purposes.
Decreed lands/hotlands: Land along the Upper Gila River that is subject to the Globe Equity Decree.
Invasive species: A type of plant, animal, or other organism that does not naturally live in a certain area but has been introduced there, often by people. An invasive species can spread quickly, especially if it has no natural predators in its new home, and harm native species, disrupt ecosystems, and create problems for people (for example, weeds and insects that damage crops).
Native species: A plant or animal that originally occurred in an area.
Non-exempt well: A groundwater well with a pump capacity greater than 35 gpm, typically used for agricultural irrigation.
Restoration: The reconstitution of a pre-existing ecological condition, or range of conditions.
Riparian area: Areas adjacent to rivers and streams with a differing density, diversity, and productivity of plant and animal species relative to nearby uplands.
Stream restoration: Various techniques used to replicate the hydrological, morphological, and ecological features that have been lost in a stream due to urbanization, farming, or other disturbance.
Threatened species: A plant or animal that is likely to become endangered if not protected.
Tributary: A river or stream flowing into a larger river, stream or lake.
Watershed/drainage basin: The land area that drains into a stream; the watershed for a major river may encompass a number of smaller watersheds that ultimately combine at a common point.
Watershed restoration: The action of restoring the total land area that contributes water to a river, stream, lake or other body of water to good condition.