Water Regulation 2016

If a term used in this division is defined in chapter 1, part 2 of the Act, or in schedule 4 of the Act to the extent it supports the operation of chapter 1, part 2 of the Act, the term has the same meaning in this division and in schedule 1.

However, a reference to a watercourse is not intended to be limited in the way provided for in section 5(4) of the Act.

gives an explanation of the characteristics of a typical upper valley reach and associated watercourse; and

includes a diagram (diagram B) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in a typical upper valley reach; and

includes a diagram (diagram C) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in a typical watercourse in an upper valley reach and that can help in locating outer banks.

gives an explanation of the characteristics of a typical middle valley reach and associated watercourse; and

includes a diagram (diagram D) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in a typical middle valley reach; and

includes a diagram (diagram E) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in a typical watercourse in a middle valley reach and that can help in locating outer banks.

Schedule 1, part 4—

gives an explanation of the characteristics of a typical lower valley reach and associated watercourse; and

includes a diagram (diagram F) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in a typical lower valley reach; and

includes a diagram (diagram G) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in a typical watercourse in a lower valley reach and that can help in locating outer banks.

Schedule 1, part 4 also includes—

a diagram (diagram H) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in a typical lower valley reach where 2 or more watercourses in the form of anabranches are contained within the valley; and

a diagram (diagram I) in cross-section form that depicts the natural features that are likely to be found in typical watercourses in a lower valley reach where the valley contains 2 or more watercourses in the form of anabranches, and that can help in locating outer banks in a multiple watercourse environment.

For any valley, a particular valley reach could contain a section of valley reach, or a section of watercourse within a section of valley reach, that is not typical, having regard to the valley reach and watercourse cross-sections depicted in schedule 1, parts 2, 3 and 4.

Accordingly, a cross-section diagram could be used to help in the location of an outer bank, regardless of the valley reach in which the section of watercourse under consideration is located.

Schedule 1 includes a number of references to valley margins.

A reference to a valley margin, in relation to a valley drained by a watercourse, is intended as a reference to the bedrock feature that forms a lateral extent of the valley floor.

A valley margin could consist of a hill, cliff, ridge or mountain, but this will generally vary according to where the valley margin is situated in the valley as a whole.

Schedule 1 includes a number of references to terraces.

A reference to a terrace, in relation to a valley drained by a watercourse, is intended as a reference to an abandoned floodplain that is situated above an active floodplain associated with the watercourse.

A terrace is formed when floodplains are abandoned during down-cutting into the valley floor by base level change in the form of tectonic activity, by shifts in sediment load or by changes in the flow regime of the watercourse.