[OSM-talk] map features - waterway: Some clarification?!?

[Ulf Lamping]

Hi!

First of all, I've already changed the sequence of the tags in the map 
features waterways section 
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Map_Features#Waterway, as being 
lock_gate the first and river below the middle simply made no sense IMHO.

As english not being my native language, I have some hard time 
understanding some of the items in the map features of waterway (I've 
tried to translate the wording, but didn't found a bullet proof 
translation), so if someone could shed some light upon

- what's the "usual" distinction between a river and a stream? This must 
not be an absolute measurement, but please give a "feeling" for someone 
not familiar with these terms
- is the lock_gate a thing to raise/lower the water level for vessels, 
often found in canals?
- is the water_point e.g. a place to get fresh water e.g. for caravans?
- is the waste_disposal e.g. a place to release used water e.g. for 
caravans?
- is the turning_point a place to turn the direction for commercial 
vessels? where is this used usually?

Could someone please shed some light on this, or even better just add 
the information to the wiki page?

Regards, ULFL