Marsh: A frequently or continually inundated non-forested wetland characterized by vegetation adapted to saturated soil conditions.

Metric Ton (mt): A volumetric unit of measurement equivalent to 1,000 kilograms or 2,205 pounds.

MGD: Millons of gallons per day.

Mg/L: Milligrams per liter.

MGY: Millions of gallons per year.

Minimum Flow and Level (MFL): The point at which further withdrawals would cause significant harm to the water resources/ecology of an area.

National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD): A nationally established reference for elevation data; usually measured in feet, the elevation above or depth below mean sea level.

Nonpoint Source: Pollution source originating over broad areas, such as areas of fertilizer and pesticide application or leaking sewer systems, rather than from discrete points.

Pelagic Zone: Open water zone, as in the ocean.

Performance Measure: Performance measures quantify how well or how poorly an action meets a specific objective. Good performance measures are quantifiable, have a specific target, indicate when a target has been reached and measure the degree to which the goal has been met. These measures have been used to evaluate complex restoration project goals as well as land acquisition plans.

Phosphorus (P): A chemical element that is essential for life. In freshwater environments, phosphorus levels are often naturally low; increased levels of this nutrient can promote the growth of algae and non-native or invasive plants.

Phytoplankton: The floating, usually tiny, plant life living in a body of water.

Point Source: Any discernible, confined and discrete single source from which pollutants are discharged. Point sources include any pipe, ditch, channel, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation; or boats or other floating water craft. This term does not include agricultural stormwater discharges and return flows from irrigated agriculture.

Potable Water: Water that is safe for drinking.

Public Water Supply (PWS): Utilities that provide potable (drinking) water for public use.