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Backing Winds

A counterclockwise change in wind direction. Backing winds with height are indicative of cold air advection (CAA).

Backwater

Water backed up or retarded in its course as compared with its normal or natural condition of flow. In stream gaging, a rise in stage produced by a temporary obstruction such as ice or weeds, or by the flooding of the stream below. The difference between the observed stage and that indicated by the stage-discharge relation, is reported as backwater.

Bacteria

One-celled organisms. Many act as decomposers that break down dead organic matter into substances that dissolve in water and are used as nutrients by plants.

Balance of Payments

A record of all the financial transactions between a country and the rest of the world during a given year.

Band application

The spreading of chemicals over, or next to, each row of plants in a field, as opposed to broadcast application.

Bank

The margins of a channel. Banks are called right or left as viewed facing in the direction of the flow.

Bank storage

The water absorbed into the banks of a stream channel, when the stages rise above the water table in the bank formations, then returns to the channel as effluent seepage when the stages fall below the water table.

Bankfull stage

Stage at which a stream first overflows its natural banks. (See also Flood stage. Bankfull stage is a hydraulic term, whereas flood stage implies damage.)

Barometer

An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.

Barrel (bbl)

A liquid-volume measure equal to 42 United States gallons at 60 degrees Fahrenheit; used in expressing quantities of petroleum-based products.

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