What determines if water is considered shallow or deep?

The classification of water as shallow or deep primarily hinges on the depth in relation to a person's height. This perspective is grounded in how individuals interact with water. For example, water that reaches a person's ankles or knees is generally perceived as shallow, while water that is above a person's head is deemed deep. This measure is intuitive and relates to safety, swimming ability, and comfort when in or around water.

Other factors, such as weather conditions, the size of the body of water, and the location of the water source, do not inherently define whether the water is shallow or deep in the context of personal experience. Weather may influence water conditions, but it does not affect depth categorization; the size of the body of water could vary widely but still contain shallow or deep sections; and location may provide context but does not change the inherent depth. The primary measure is how the water depth relates to an individual's height, which directly affects how the water is navigated or experienced.