What term describes withdrawals of surface water such as dams, reservoirs, canals, and pipelines that diminish stream flows?

• A. Groundwater Withdrawals
• B. Surface Water Withdrawals
• C. Desalination
• D. Evaporation

Answer: (B)

Withdrawals from surface water sources occur when water is taken directly from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs through infrastructure like dams, canals, or pipelines, which lowers the amount of water flowing downstream. This is distinct from groundwater withdrawals, which remove water from underground aquifers. Desalination involves removing salt from seawater to make it usable, not taking water from surface bodies. Evaporation is the natural loss of water to the atmosphere from surface waters, not a withdrawal. So the term that describes this practice—reducing stream flows by taking water from surface sources—is surface water withdrawals.