Flow Rate

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-011308",
  "term": "Flow Rate",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. The rate, expressed in gallons -or liters-per-hour, at which a fluid escapes from a hole or fissure in a tank. Such measurements are also made of liquid waste, effluent, and surface water movement.\n\n2. The long - term average annual discharge of a river or stream (i.e., the annual discharge averaged over many years of record).\n\n3. Flow Rate, also known as discharge, can help people determine how much water is available in different locations. It is a measure of the volume of water passing a point over a fixed amount of time. For example, flow rate is typically measured in cubic feet per second (cfs or ft³/sec) but could also be measured in gallons or liters per minute or second. Abnormal flow (hydrologic alteration) refers to changes in river or stream volume caused by removing water for irrigation or industrial use, drinking water supply, and by alterations from dams to hold and release water on a man-made cycle. Reduced flow can lower oxygen levels, raise water temperatures, cause build-up of sediment and pollutants, destroy aquatic wildlife habitat, and degrade swimming, boating, and fishing. In some cases abnormal flow can refer to changes in volume due to increased flow due to changes to the hydrologic regime.",
  "subject": "General environmental",
  "references": [
    "Terms of Environment",
    "Hazard Ranking System Glossary",
    "How's My Waterway Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/flow-rate/"
}