Navigable

Navigable is an adjective used to describe a waterway that can be traversed by ships or boats. It implies adequate depth and width, suitable current, and relatively few obstructions under typical conditions.

Assessing navigability involves factors such as depth and draft, channel width, bottom conditions, water levels, and the presence of locks or dams. Seasonal changes, weather, and vessel type influence whether a waterway is usable for navigation.

In law, navigable waters determine regulatory jurisdiction and public rights. In the United States, navigability relates to the capacity to support interstate or foreign commerce. The concept includes navigable-in-fact and navigable-in-law, with tests evolving over time to reflect ordinary navigation. Federal regulation under the Rivers and Harbors Act and the Clean Water Act often depends on navigability, though definitions vary by statute and era. Some waters not presently used for navigation may be designated navigable in law due to historical use or potential.

Examples of navigable waterways include the Mississippi River, the Rhine, and the Danube, which support substantial commercial traffic. By contrast, many small streams or seasonal channels are non-navigable. Navigability affects public access, riparian rights, dredging, and regulatory oversight, shaping how communities manage and interact with their waterways.