What is a waterdrome?
A waterdrome is a designated area of water where seaplanes take off and land. The word comes from water + aerodrome and is the internationally recognized term for what Americans usually call a seaplane base and Canadians call a water aerodrome.
Where does the word waterdrome come from?
Aerodrome means a place where aircraft operate — from the Greek dromon, a running course. A waterdrome is simply an aerodrome on water. The term appeared in aviation writing as early as the 1910s, when flying boats operated from harbors and sheltered bays.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines a water aerodrome as an area of water, including any buildings, installations, and equipment, used for the arrival, departure, and surface movement of aircraft. In everyday use, waterdrome, water aerodrome, seaplane base, and water airport all describe the same thing.
How is a waterdrome different from a regular airport?
A conventional airport has paved runways. A waterdrome uses a stretch of open water — a lake, river, harbor, or coastal bay — as the operating surface. Instead of taxiways and ramps, pilots taxi on the water and may dock at a float or beach on a shoreline.
Some waterdromes are simple: a permitted lake with a windsock on shore. Others, like Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage, Alaska, have designated lanes, fueling docks, maintenance hangars, and control frequencies. The common thread is that the primary operating surface is water.
Are waterdromes charted and regulated?
In the United States, seaplane bases that are open to the public appear on FAA sectional charts and in the Chart Supplement (formerly the Airport/Facility Directory). Each has an identifier — Lake Hood's is LHD, for example. Transport Canada charts water aerodromes the same way.
Water operations are subject to aviation rules (14 CFR Part 91 in the US, the Canadian Aviation Regulations in Canada) plus local marine rules. Some states and provinces have additional restrictions, especially where invasive species regulations apply.
How many waterdromes are there?
The FAA lists roughly 500 seaplane bases in the United States. Canada lists more than 1,000 registered water aerodromes. Many more informal float-equipped strips exist at fishing lodges and remote camps, particularly in Alaska, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
waterdrome.com maintains an open, searchable directory of seaplane bases across North America, along with the fuel, training, charter, and customs services at each one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a waterdrome?
A waterdrome is a designated area of water used for seaplane takeoffs and landings. It is the same thing as a seaplane base or water aerodrome.
Is a waterdrome the same as a seaplane base?
Yes. Waterdrome, seaplane base, water aerodrome, and water airport all refer to a location where seaplanes operate on water.
Where can I find a waterdrome near me?
Use the waterdrome.com directory to search seaplane bases by state, province, or map location across the United States and Canada.