(1) The source and upper reaches of a stream; also the upper reaches of a reservoir. (2) The water upstream from a structure or point on a stream. (3) The small streams that come together to form a river. Also may be thought of as any and all parts of a river basin except the mainstream river and main tributaries.
HEADWATER(S)
Meaning of HEADWATER(S) in English
Environmental engineering English vocabulary. Английский словарь экологического инжиниринга. 2012