Watercourse

Formal definition

Watercourse means -

a) a river or a spring;

b) a natural channel is which water flows regularly or intermittently;

c) a wetland, lake or dam into which, or from which, water flows; and

d) any collection of water which the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declares to be a watercourse, and a reference to a watercourse includes, where relevant, its beds and banks

[Source: National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998)].

Description

Any natural water flowing on the earth's surface in a channel.

Why is a watercourse important?

Watercourses support ecosystems and must therefore be managed correctly.