Hawaii Administrative Rules
Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Subtitle 1 - GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 54 - WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Section 11-54-2 - Classification of State waters

Universal Citation: HI Admin Rules 11-54-2

Current through February, 2024

(a) State waters are classified as either inland waters or marine waters.

(b) Inland waters may be fresh, brackish, or saline.

(1) All inland fresh waters are classified as follows, based on their ecological characteristics and other natural criteria:
(A) Flowing waters.
(i) Streams (perennial and intermittent);

(ii) Flowing springs and seeps; and

(iii) Ditches and flumes that discharge into any other waters of the State;

(B) Standing waters.
(i) Natural freshwater lakes; and Reservoirs (impoundments);

(C) Wetlands.
(i) Elevated wetlands (bogs, marshes, swamps, and associated ponds); and

(ii) Low wetlands (marshes, swamps, and associated ponds).

(2) All inland brackish or saline waters are classified as follows, based on their ecological characteristics and other natural criteria:
(A) Standing waters.
(i) Anchialine pools; and

(ii) Saline lakes.

(B) Wetlands.
(i) Coastal wetlands (marshes, swamps, and associated ponds).

(C) Estuaries.
(i) Natural estuaries (stream-fed estuaries and spring-fed estuaries); and

(ii) Developed estuaries,

(c) Marine waters

(1) All marine waters are either embayments, open coastal, or oceanic waters;

(2) All marine waters which are embayments or open coastal waters are also classified according to the following bottom subtypes:
(A) Sand beaches;

(B) Lava rock shorelines and solution benches;

(C) Marine pools and protected coves;

(D) Artificial basins;

(E) Reef flats; and

(F) Soft bottoms.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Hawaii may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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