human-engineered and dammed lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

An accumulation of water into pools or ponds formed by blocking the natural drainage.

man-made lakes, usually created by the construction of a dam across a river channel; in contrast to natural lakes, impoundments exist because they were constructed for a specific purpose or water use

Any action taken by the executive branch that delays or precludes the obligation or expenditure of budget authority appropriated by Congress. The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974 was enacted after frequent use of impoundments by President Richard Nixon. In addition to creating the budget process currently used, the 1974 law established procedures for congressional approval or disapproval of temporary or permanent impoundments, which are called deferrals and rescissions. Insert: Amendment to add new language to a measure or another amendment. Insist: Motion by one chamber to reiterate its previous position during amendments between the chambers. back to top of G, H, I, J, K glossary Instruct Conferees: Formal action by one chamber urging its conferees to uphold a particular position in conference.