Base StationA computer which accepts radio signals from ALERT gaging sites, decodes the data, places the data in a database, and makes the data available to other…
base substitutionReplacement of one base by another in a DNA molecule. See: transition; transversion.
Base width or thicknessThe maximum thickness or width of a dam measured horizontally between upstream and downstream faces and normal to the axis or centerline crest of the dam…
Baseboard RadiatorA type of radiant heating system where the radiator is located along an exterior wall where the wall meets the floor.
BaseflowStreamflow which results from precipitation that infiltrates into the soil and eventually moves through the soil to the stream channel.
baselineAn initial measurement that is taken at an early time point to represent a beginning condition, and is used for comparison over time to look for changes.
Baseline Change Request (BCR)(BCR)A web-based tool that is used to discuss, review, and approve an "engineered product" or other changes to infrastructure components as it is turned over…
Baseline EmissionsThe emissions that would occur without policy intervention (in a business-as-usual scenario).
Baseline profileUsed for a survey of the environmental conditions and organisms existing in a region prior to unnatural disturbances.
BaseloadThe minimum level of electric power demand of a utility, region, or utility customer delivered or required over a given period of time at a steady rate…
Baseload CapacityThe power output of a power plant that can be continuously produced.
Baseload DemandThe minimum demand experienced by a power plant.
Baseload plantPowerplant normally operated to carry baseload; consequently, it operates essentially at a constant load.
Baseload Power PlantA power plant that is normally operated to generate a base load, and that usually operates at a constant load; examples include coal fired and nuclear…
Baseload UnitAn electric power plant, or generating unit within a power plant, that is normally operated continuously to meet the base load of a utility.
BaseloadingRunning water through a powerplant at a roughly steady rate, thereby producing power at a steady rate.
BasementAny area of the building, including any sunken room or sunken portion of a room, having its floor below ground level (subgrade) on all sides.
Basement complexThe suite of mostly crystalline igneous and/or metamorphic rocks that generally underlies the sedimentary rock sequence.
Basement rockThe oldest rocks in a given area; a complex of metamorphic and igneous rocks that underlies the sedimentary deposits.
Basic solutionWater solution with more hydroxide ions (OH-) than hydrogen ions (H+); water solutions with pH greater than 7. See acid solution, alkalinity.
Basin: (1) A depression in the Earth's surface that collects sediment. (2) The area of land that drains to a particular river.
Basin BoundaryThe topographic dividing line around the perimeter of a basin, beyond which overland flow (i.e.; runoff) drains away into another basin.
Basin LagThe time it takes from the centroid of rainfall for the hydrograph to peak.
Basin RechargeRainfall that adds to the residual moisture of the basin in order to help recharge the water deficit. i.
Basin runoff modelAny one of the computer programs that mathematically models basin characteristics to forecast reservoir inflow from rainfall and/or streamflow data.
Basin StatesArizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming.
Batch HeaterThis simple passive solar hot water system consists of one or more storage tanks placed in an insulated box that has a glazed side facing the sun.
Batch ProcessA process for carrying out a reaction in which the reactants are fed in discrete and successive charges.
BathymetryThe science of measuring depths of the oceans, lakes, seas, etc.
Batt/BlanketA flexible roll or strip of insulating material in widths suited to standard spacings of building structural members (studs and joists).
BatterInclination from the vertical. A pile driven at an angle to widen the area of support and to resist thrust.
BatteryA beating or wrongful physical violence. The threat to use force is an "assault;" the actual use of force is a battery, which usually includes an assault.
Battery capacityThe maximum total electrical charge, expressed in ampere-hours, which a battery can deliver to a load under a specific set of conditions.
Battery Energy StorageEnergy storage using electrochemical batteries. The three main applications for battery energy storage systems include spinning reserve at generating…
BayA regularly repeating division of a façade, marked by fenestration.
Bay-DeltaSacramento/San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay.
Beach ErosionThe movement of beach materials by some combination of high waves, currents and tides, or wind.
BeachingThe action of water waves by which beach materials settle into the water because of removal of finer materials.
Beadwall&##8482;A form of movable insulation that uses tiny polystyrene beads blown into the space between two window panes.
BEAM FILLINGThe measure of variation of hydrometeor density throughout the radar sampling volume.
Beam RadiationSolar radiation that is not scattered by dust or water droplets.
BEAM WIDTHAngular width of antenna pattern. Usually that width where the power density is one-half that of the axis beam. (Half-Power or 3 dB point)
Bear's Cage[Slang], a region of storm-scale rotation, in a thunderstorm, which is wrapped in heavy precipitation.
Bear-trap gateAny of a family of crest gates consisting of two leaves, an upstream leaf hinged and sealed at the upstream edge and a downstream leaf hinged and sealed…
Bearing WallA wall that carries ceiling rafters or roof trusses.
Beaufort ScaleThe Beaufort wind scale is a system used to estimate and report wind speeds when no measuring apparatus is available.
Beaver('s) Tail[Slang], a particular type of inflow band with a relatively broad, flat appearance suggestive of a beaver's tail.
becquerelThe special name for the unit that expresses a measure of activity. One becquerel corresponds to one disintegration per second of any radionuclide.
Bed elevationHeight of streambed above a specified level.
Bed layerThe flow layer, several grain diameters thick (usually taken as two grain diameters thick), immediately above the bed.
Bed LoadSediment that moves by rolling or sliding along the bed and is essentially in contact with the streambed in the bed layer.
Bed materialUnconsolidated material, or sediment mixture, of which a streambed is composed.
Bed-load dischargeThe quantity of bed load passing a cross section of a stream in a unit of time.
Bed-material dischargeThat part of the total sediment discharge which is composed of grain sizes found in the bed.
BeddingIn fishing, this term refers to bedding fish during the spawning period.
Bedding planeA separation or weakness between two layers of rock, caused by changes during the building up of the rock-forming material.
BedloadCoarse sediments carried along near the bottom of a river.
BedrockGeneral term referring to the solid rock or ledge underlying other unconsolidated material, i.e., soil, loose gravel, etc.
beerA fermented broth that consists of water, ethanol, and small amounts of ether and assorted alcohols.
Beginning of FreezupDate on which ice forming a stable winter ice cover is first observed on the water surface.
Beginning of the BreakupDate of definite breaking, movement, or melting of ice cover or significant rise of water level.
BellAn expanded, or enlarged, end of a pipe section, into which the next pipe fits. See spigot.
BenchThe seat occupied by the judge. More broadly, the court itself.
Bench mark (BM)A permanent or temporary monument of known elevation above sea level, used for vertical control at a construction site.
bench-scale processA small- or laboratory-scale process; commonly used in connection with fermentation.
BenchmarkA standard unit used as the basis of comparison; a universal unit that is identified with sufficient detail so that other similar classifications can be…
Benchmark (BM)(BM)A permanent point whose known elevation is tied to a national network. These points are created to serve as a point of reference.
Beneficial useWater loss through use for the betterment of society, e.g. irrigation or municipal use. See consumptive use.
Beneficial use of waterA use of water resulting in appreciable gain or benefit to the user, consistent with state law, which varies from one state to another.
BeneficiaryA person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract.
Benefit-cost ratio (B/C)The ratio of the present value of project benefits to the present value of the project costs, used in economic analysis.
Benefits ChargeThe addition of a per unit tax on sales of electricity, with the revenue generated used for or to encourage investments in energy efficiency measures…
BenthicOccurring at or near the bottom of a body of water.
benthic foraminiferasingle-celled animals that live near the sediment water interface and have calcium carbonate skeletons.