Originally posted by Utah1982:

As far as ocean to lake to river, is there a way to tell the difference other than distance? Does the water change colors, etc?

Well when you go from offshore to further out the biome will change, can see that on your map/mini-map. Lakes may have an ocean in the middle... eh ocean is mainly a depth thing in Valheim. Rivers/streams are just ribbons of water, no color changes that I'm aware of, though ocean changes with weather I believe.