A body of water, such as a river, canal or lake, is navigable if it is deep, wide and slow enough for a vessel to pass and there are no obstructions, like rocks, trees and low bridges. Shallow rivers may be made navigable by the installation of locks that increase and regulate water depth, or by dredging. A very high water speed may also make a channel unnavigable and high-latitude waters may be unnavigable in winter because of freezing. Navigability also depends on the size of the vessel: A small river may not be navigable by a freighter, but it might be navigable by a smaller craft, like a motor boat or kayak. Therefore, whether a water body is considered navigable or unnavigable depends on the context.
Contents |
|
