Volcanoclastic rockSedimentary rocks such as sandstones formed by the aggregation of rock fragments (clasts) of volcanic origin.
Voluntary relinquishmentTo voluntarily relinquish possession with the intent of terminating ownership, but without vesting it in any other person.
Wake effectEnhanced plume dispersion due to mechanical turbulence and zones of turbulent eddies, primarily downwind of a building, which results in increased…
WashA normally dry stream bed that occasionally fills with water.
Waste managementProcedures, physical attributes, and support services that collectively provide for the identification, containerization, storage, transport, treatment…
Waste minimizationActions, policies, or procedures that collectively serve to reduce the amount of wastes generated as a result of operation of an activity or facility.
Waste streamsUnused solid or liquid by- products of a process.
WastewaterWater that typically contains less than 1% concentration of organic hazardous waste materials.
Water codeA type of legislation that is specific to the management of water resources.
Water qualityA term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually with respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.
Water rightA legal entitlement of an individual or entity to extract water from a water source (surface water or groundwater) and to use it for a beneficial use (e.g.
Water TableThe upper level of ground water; the level below which soil and rock are saturated with water.
Water-cooled vibrating grateA boiler grate made up of a tuyere grate surface mounted on a grid of water tubes interconnected with the boiler circulation system for positive cooling.
WatermasterIn Oregon, an official of the Water Resources Department who allocates available surface or groundwater in the state.
WatershedAll land area from which run-off water may enter a pond or lake.
WattThe rate of energy transfer equivalent to one ampere under an electrical pressure of one volt. One watt equals 1/746 horsepower, or one joule per second.
Watt (W)(W)The unit of electrical power equal to 1 ampere under a pressure of one volt. A Watt is equal to 1/746 horsepower.
wet scrubberAn air pollution control device used to remove pollutants by bringing a gas stream into contact with a liquid.
WetlandsArea having specific hydric soil and water table characteristics supporting or capable of supporting wetlands vegetation.
WheelingThe process of transmitting electricity over one or more separately owned electric transmission and distribution systems.
whole tree chipsWood chips produced by chipping whole trees, usually in the forest. Thus the chips contain both bark and wood.
Whole-tree harvestingA harvesting method in which the whole tree (above the stump) is removed.
WickiupTemporary dwelling framed of arched poles covered by brush, bark, rushes, or mats.
Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR) Act(WSR)Primary river conservation law enacted in 1968. The Act was specifically intended by Congress to balance the existing policy of building dams on rivers…
Wild horses and burrosUnbranded and unclaimed horses or burros roaming free on public lands in the western United States and protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro…
WildernessAll lands included in the National Wilderness Preservation System by public law, generally defined as undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval…
Wilderness characteristicsWilderness characteristics include (1) Naturalness: the area generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint…
WildfireAny nonstructural fire that occurs in the wildland.
Wildlife corridorLinear spaces that connect various areas of an animal's habitat (i.e., links between feeding, watering, resting, breeding, or seasonal habitats).
willstatter ligninLignin obtained from the lignocellulosic complex after it has been extracted with hydrochloric acid.
Wind RoseA diagram that indicates the average percentage of time that the wind blows from different directions, on a monthly or annual basis.
WinnowingSelective sorting or removal of fine particles by wind or water.
WithdrawalA withdrawal is money you take out of your banking, brokerage firm, or other accounts.
woodA solid lignocellulosic material naturally produced in trees and some shrubs, made of up to 40%-50% cellulose, 20%-30% hemicellulose, and 20% -30% lignin.
wortThe liquid remaining from a brewing mash preparation following the filtration of fermentable beer.
Xeric (habitat)Low in moisture. Dry environmental conditions. Habitats or sites characterized by their limited water availability.
xylanA polymer of xylose with a repeating unit of C5H804, found in the hemicellulose fraction of biomass. Can be hydrolyzed to xylose.
xylose(C5H10O5) A five-carbon sugar. A product of hydrolysis of xylan found in the hemicellulose fraction of biomass.
YardangA wind-carved rock ridge feature found in desert environments.