angler-a person who fishes with a rod and line

benthic macroinvertebrates-small aquatic animals (insect larva, for example) that live on the river bottom

canopy cover-the branches and leaves that spread out over a river, shading it and contributing to cooler  water temperatures

confluence-where two rivers or streams join together

E. coli or Escherichia coli-a bacteria found in fecal matter

FOMR-Friends of the Middle River

FOSR-Friends of the Shenandoah River, FOMR’s parent organization

FriendsFest-FOMR’s annual social event, usually a potluck picnic in September

groundwater-underground water in the soil and rock crevices

impaired waters-An Environmental Protection Agency designation for a body of water that fails to meet one or more water quality standards

MM or Mile Marker-beginning at its confluence with the North River near Grottoes, each linear mile of the Middle River is assigned a number, or MM

nutrient pollution-when excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus drain from land into a waterway

portage-a location on a river (like waterfalls or rapids) that requires a boater to carry their canoe or kayak over land in order to continue downstream

riparian-refers to anything along a river bank, wetland or other body of water

riparian buffer-native vegetation zone along a river bank, wetland, or other body of water established to help shade the water and protect the water from adjacent land use.  Also called stream buffer or riparian zone.

RAP-FOMR’s River Access Program

reach-a stretch or portion of a stream or river

sedimentation-the process of particles in the water settling to the bottom of the river bed

StreamSweepers-a Virginia river restoration, training and work experience program for college-aged young adults and veterans

watershed-an area of land from which all water flows to a common body of water, like a stream, river, lake, or bay