River Boundaries: Practicalities & Solutions

Durham University, 7-9 July 2008

Three quarters of the world’s international boundaries follow rivers for at least part of their course. While the reasons for choosing rivers as boundaries are easily understood, river boundaries almost invariably generate a multitude of legal, technical and managerial challenges – for which no instruction book has yet been written. This unique course is designed to help boundary-makers and managers develop effective strategies for turning river boundaries into assets rather than a source of friction between the riparian states.

Led by expert tutors with practical experience of resolving problems associated with river boundaries, the workshop will cover issues such as: delimiting and demarcating river boundaries; identifying key river features such as the thalweg, the ‘main channel’ and the ‘banks’; islands in boundary rivers; monitoring and accommodating physical changes in river boundaries; managing access and resource use in shared rivers; and resolving disputes over river boundaries. The workshop will combine instruction in the principles and practice of river boundary definition and management, detailed case studies and practical exercises.

PDF workshop flyer   Online booking form

Tutors

Dr Robin Cleverly, Law of the Sea Consultant, United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
Professor Nick Clifford, Professor of River Science, University of Nottingham, UK
Mr John Donaldson, Research Associate, International Boundaries Research Unit
Ms Amy Hardberger, Attorney, Land, Water and Wildlife Program, Environmental Defense Fund, USA
Mr Alejandro Reyes Huerta, Secretary, International Boundary and Water Commissions between Mexico-Guatemala and Mexico-Belize
Professor Richard Kyle Paisley, Director, Global Transboundary International Waters Research Initiative, IAR, University of British Columbia, Canada
Mr Martin Pratt, Director of Research, International Boundaries Research Unit
Mr Guido Van Langenhove, Head of Hydrological Services, Department of Water Affairs, Namibia

Programme

Monday 7 July

1) Introduction

• River boundaries around the world
• Why rivers are chosen as boundaries
• Challenges associated with river boundaries

2) River systems and their complexity

• The fluvial system
• The river continuum
• Channel dynamics
• The significance of timescales

3) Legal principles in river boundary definition

• Boundaries in navigable and non-navigable rivers
• Alterations in the course of boundary rivers
• Islands in boundary rivers
• Case law relating to river boundaries

4) Interpreting terms used in river boundary definition

• Thalweg
• Main channel
• Bank
• Median line
• Source
• Confluence
• Tributary

5) The use of remotely-sensed imagery in analysing river boundaries

• Types of imagery
• Applications
• Case studies

6) Practical exercise

• Working with maps and other geographical data, participants will attempt to identify the alignment of a number of river boundaries

 Tuesday 8 July

7) River mouths and the land/sea interface

• The law of the sea and river mouths
• Identifying the mouth of a river
• Unstable river mouths and maritime boundaries

8) State practice in river boundary delimitation, demarcation and dispute resolution

9) The utilisation of waters in boundary rivers

• Navigational uses and rules
• Non-navigational uses and rules
• Rights and responsibilities of upstream and downstream states
• Rio Grande case study

10) Practical exercise

• Working in teams, participants will seek to agree an equitable river boundary regime between two fictional states

 Wednesday 9 July

11) Case study: the delimitation of the Botswana-Namibia boundary along the Kwando/Linyanti/Chobe River

12) Managing river boundaries: the role of boundary commissions

• From demarcation to management: the evolving role of boundary commissions
• Bilateral commissions
• Multilateral commissions

13) Case study: the work of the International Commissions of Borders and Waters between Mexico-Guatemala and Mexico-Belize

Administrative information

Cost

The cost of the workshop will be £1,395 per participant. Fees for UK-based participants are normally subject to Value Added Tax at 17.5%. We regret that payment can only be accepted in £ sterling. However, we are able to accept payment by major credit and debit cards. Full payment must be received by Friday 13 June to guarantee the booking.

In addition to tuition and all course materials, the fee covers the following:

• Accommodation in a single en-suite room for the nights of 6-8 July.
• Evening dinner on 6-8 July.
• Lunch and refreshment breaks on 7-9 July inclusive.

Reservations

To reserve a place on the workshop, please contact Astrid Alvarez or use the online booking form.

Venue

Workshop accommodation and teaching will be based at Collingwood College, which is part of Durham University.

Language

Teaching and workshop materials will be in English. We regret that we are unable to provide translation or interpretation services.

Cancellation

Cancellations must be received in writing not later than Friday 20 June 2008, and will be subject to a £50 cancellation fee unless a substitute participant is offered. After this date the full registration fee will apply. Substitutions for registered participants may be made at any time, but we would appreciate prior notification.

Programme changes

IBRU reserves the right to modify the programme as necessary, without notice to participants.

Travel to Durham

Full details of the venue, plus maps and travel information will be sent to all participants following registration. Online maps and travel information can be found here.