BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base
Module 05 - Navigating the Waterways
How do I determine which way is upstream?
If you’re headed upstream, it means you’re travelling against the current. In many places, the direction of the current is determined by consensus or by the tide. Although not always the case, often you’ll find that water flows from north to south—this means that if you’re going north, you will likely be heading upstream. To help you determine the direction of water flow, use the following tips:
- Understand that if you’re entering a channel from the sea, you’re travelling ‘upstream’.
- Refer to a marine chart to identify the upstream direction of travel.
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