The article studies one of the basic definitions of International Water Law – “transboundary waters”. It is noted the altered priorities of the use of water resources as well as new methods used in the natural sciences, especially in the hydrology, have an impact on the content of this definition. It is investigated the correlation of such definitions as “transboundary waters”, “transboundary watercourses”, “international watercourses”, “international river basin”, “international drainage basin”, “international rivers”, “international lakes”. It is analyzed sources of international water law, which was elaborated terminology and definitions, it is traced their evolution. The author points out the following features of the definition “transboundary waters”: 1) these include surface water and groundwater; 2) they cross the border between two or more states are located on boundaries; 3) the use of transboundary waters affects the interests of two or more states; 4) the special legal regulation of their use (the doctrine of absolute sovereignty over water resources are located within of boundaries of the state; the doctrine of belonging of transboundary waters to all states of the international drainage basin; the doctrine of optimal development of the river basin; the doctrine of limited sovereignty; the doctrine of the priority); 5) specific requirements for the protection of ecosystems of transboundary waters; 6) the large conflict potential in use of water resources.
Time Series Analysis of Rainfall Variability at North Jordan: A Case Study at Yarmouk River Basin
