What defines navigable waters?

Navigable waters are primarily defined as those waterways that are suitable for commerce and can be used for the transportation of goods and services. This definition includes rivers, lakes, and oceans that have the capacity to accommodate commercial shipping vessels, which are larger and require specific depths and widths of waterway to operate effectively. This classification is essential for regulatory purposes, conservation, and maintaining the rights of navigation under various laws, including those that pertain to environmental protection.

In contrast, waterways designated for recreational use, such as private lakes or channels that do not support commercial traffic, do not meet the criteria for navigability in the context of commercial shipping. Thus, the option that highlights rivers and oceans identified for their role in commerce accurately captures the legal and practical framework surrounding navigable waters.