What is the correct way to determine upstream, downstream, river right, and river left?

Determining upstream, downstream, river right, and river left is based on the orientation of the individual relative to the flow of the water. Facing downstream provides a clear and accurate reference point for this navigation. When an individual is positioned to face downstream, upstream is directly behind them, while downstream is in front of them. Consequently, river right and river left are determined based on the individual's right and left sides when facing towards the current, which means that river right is to the right side of the individual and river left is to the left side.

Using information from the riverbank or observing flora might give insights into characteristics of the environment, but these methods do not directly provide the directional references needed to accurately assess right and left banks relative to the river's flow. Therefore, the best approach for understanding these directional terms in relation to river dynamics is to face downstream.