Civil Code Article 784
This English translation was last updated on 2021-01-20, but the Chinese text was amended on 2026-08-17. Later amendments may not be reflected in the translation — please refer to the Chinese text.
The owner of a land through which the water flows shall not change the course or the width of the water, when the land on the opposite shore belongs to another person.When the land on both shores belongs to the same owner of the land through which the water flows, he is entitled to change the course or the width of the water, provided that the natural course of the water at its lower mouth shall be kept.In the case of the preceding two paragraphs, if it is otherwise provided by statutes or customs, such statutes or customs shall be followed.
中文原文 民法第784條
水流地對岸之土地屬於他人時，水流地所有人不得變更其水流或寬度。
兩岸之土地均屬於水流地所有人者，其所有人得變更其水流或寬度。
但應留下游自然之水路。
前二項情形，法令另有規定或另有習慣者，從其規定或習慣。
兩岸之土地均屬於水流地所有人者，其所有人得變更其水流或寬度。
但應留下游自然之水路。
前二項情形，法令另有規定或另有習慣者，從其規定或習慣。