A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Laminar Flow
A characteristic of ground water flow in which water movement is non-turbulent.

Landfill
Waste disposal site. Sanitary landfill is a term use to describe dumps for household waste. Contamination resulting from leachates in landfills has resulted in strict design requirements.

Leachate
Water containing dissolved substances resulting from percolation through contaminated material.

Leaching
The process by which soluble materials in soil or rocks, such as salts, nutrients, pesticide chemicals or contaminants, are dissolved and transported away by water.

Lentic Waters
Ponds or lakes (standing water).

Levees
Raised banks adjacent to flood plain rivers. Levees occur naturally but many rivers have artificial levees to prevent overbank flooding.

Limestone
A sedimentary rock consisting principally of calcium carbonate. Limestones may be formed by deposits of shell/corals and/or from chemical precipitation in shallow seas.

Lithology
Descriptions used by geologists to characterize rocks based on their physical appearance.

Losing Stream
A river or stream of surface water that is losing water through its bed or banks which is recharging ground water. Depending on local geologic and hydrologic conditions a stream may lose and gain flow as water moves through the hydrologic system.
See also gaining stream.

Lotic Waters
Flowing waters, as in streams and rivers.