Glossary of terms

Tributary water: Water that flows along or into surface streams, creeks, ditches, lakes or reservoirs.

Non-tributary water: Water that is underground, such as an aquifer, and is not connected to any surface supply.

Conditional water: Water that is not yet developed and put to beneficial use. Owners typically must show every few years they are still trying to develop it or the water right is cancelled.

Absolute water: Water that has been diverted and is put to beneficial use.

Water rights: A legal right to divert and beneficially use water in Colorado, which can only be created by its water courts. All water rights must be put to beneficial use, such as farming or for municipal use.

Water court: Colorado is divided into seven water court divisions, each with its own water court that hears all the legal issues surrounding water ownership, the rights to Colorado water and how water is ultimately used.

Adit: The horizontal underground passages that make up a mine. Is different than a tunnel, which must have an opening at two ends.

Portal: The entrance to any mine.

Acre-foot: The measure used for large amounts of water. It is 325,851 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land one-foot deep.