Definition
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Term
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A stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake
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Tributary
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A U-shaped lake formed when a wide meander from the mainstem of a river is cut off to create a lake
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Oxbow
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A point where groundwater flows out of the ground, and is thus where the aquifer surface meets the ground surface
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Spring
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A small accumulation of water on a surface, usually the ground
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Puddle
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A natural waterway usually formed by water derived from either precipitation or glacial meltwater, and flows from higher ground to lower ground
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River
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A shallow, sediment-filled body of water formed by retreating glaciers or draining floodwaters
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Pothole
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An artificial waterway, usually connected to existing lakes, rivers, or oceans
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Canal
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A major body of salty water
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Ocean
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A body of water smaller than a lake, especially those of artificial origin
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Pond
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A region of land where water from rain or snowmelt drains downhill into another body of water, such as a river, lake, or dam
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Basin
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A dry creek bed or gulch that temporarily fills with water after a heavy rain
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Arroyo
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A deep, broad trench, either dry or filled with water, surrounding and protecting a structure, installation, or town
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Moat
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A part of a lake or ocean that extends so that it is surrounded by land on three sides, similar to, but larger than a bay
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Gulf
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A small stream
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Brook
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A lagoon separated from the ocean by a sand bar
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Barachois
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A narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes
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Fjord
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A narrow channel of water that connects two larger bodies of water, and thus lies between two land masses
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Strait
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The location where a river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, or reservoir
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Delta
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A lake or body of water that is broad in relation to its depth
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Mere
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A place to store water for various uses, especially drinking water, which can be a natural or artificial
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Reservoir
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