channel

The entire body of a stream from bank to bank, rather than the deep or navigable thread of it (55 Iowa, 558), the latter being more accurately the "main channel."

The bed in which the main stream of a river flows, and not the deep water of the stream, as followed in navigation. Dunlieth & Dubuque Bridge Co. v. Dubuque County, 55 la. 558, 8 N. W. 443. The main channel is that bed of the river over which the principal volume of water flows. St. Louis & St. P. Packet Co. v. Bridge Co., 31 Fed. 757. By act of congress of Sept. 19, IS90, U. S. R. S. 1 Supp. S00, any alteration or modification of the channel of any navigable water of the United States, by any construction, excavation, or filling, or in any other manner without the approval of the secretary of w:ir. is prohibited. For the construction of this act, see U. S. v. Burns, 54 Fed. 351.

This term refers rather to the bed in which the main stream of a rivor flows than to the deep water of the stream as followed in navigation. Bridge Co., v. Dubuque County, 55 Iowa, 558, 8 N. W. 443. See The Oliver (D. C.) 22 Fed. 849; Iowa v. Illinois, 147 U. S. 1, 13 Sup. Ct. 239, 37 In Ed. 55; Cessill v. State, 40 Ark. 504. The "innin channel" of a river is that bed of the river over which the principal volume of water flows. Many great rivers discharge themselves into the sea through more than one channel. They all, however, have a main channel, through which the principal volume of water passes. Packet Co. v. Bridge Co. (C. C.) 31 Fed. Rep. 757.

— Natural channel. The channel of a stream as determined by the natural conformation of the country through which it flows ; that is, the bed over which the waters of the stream flow when not in any manner diverted or interfered with by man. See Larrabee v. Cloverdale, 131 Cal. 96, 63 Pac. 143.

The main channel is that bed of a river over which the principal body of water flows.i See Aqua, Currit, etc.; Navigable.