noun
or high-water mark
1.
a. : the line of the shore of the sea or of a lake or river to which the waters usually reach at high water:
(1) : the line that marks the limit of the rise of the medium tides of the sea between the spring and neap tides
(2) : the line that marks the limit of the soil so affected by the water of a lake or river as to have a nature and vegetation distinct from that of the banks
b. : a mark showing the highest level reached by a body of water
2. usually high-water mark : the highest point : acme
the high-water mark of a girl's social career — Hamilton Basso