akarsu

Akarsu is a Turkish noun meaning a watercourse with flowing water, typically a river or stream. In Turkish geography and hydrology, an akarsu denotes a natural channel through which surface water moves, as opposed to lakes, ponds, or stagnant water bodies. Akarsular can be perennial or seasonal, and they form the main components of drainage basins, influence flood regimes, and sustain aquatic habitats. The term is commonly used in topographic maps, environmental impact assessments, and water resources planning to describe defined streams within a watershed. In everyday Turkish, akarsu emphasizes moving water rather than a body of water at rest, and the word can appear in place names and river names.

The word Akarsu is also a Turkish surname. Notable people with the surname include Barış Akarsu (1979–2007), a Turkish rock musician and actor who rose to prominence in the early 2000s.