Clate Mask has put forth the idea that perhaps we should regard the term "waters of Sebus" in the same manner that we regard the "waters of Sidon" (Alma 2:34; 3:3; 4:4; 43:40,50; 44:22). If we do, then the term "waters of Sebus" might refer to a collection of tributaries that flow into a river named Sebus. [Clate Mask, personal communication]
If the thinking of Clate Mask is correct, then the map of Ben Olsen which illustrates the drainage patterns in southern Mexico and Guatemala might be very informative (see illustration). Furthermore, if according to the model of Richard Hauck, the action involving the waters of Sebus took place in the Motagua valley, then the waters of Sebus might correlate with the Motagua river system, which flows eastward towards Lake Izabal and the Caribbean Sea.
Alma 17:26 Water[s] of Sebus (Illustration): Ups and Downs -- Mexico and Central America. [Ben L. Olsen, Some Earthly Treasures of the Book of Mormon, Map 7., Unpublished]
Waters of Sebus
According to Alma 17:26, "all the Lamanites drive their flocks" . . . "to the place of water, which was called the water of Sebus." We are not told exactly what is meant by the phrase "water of Sebus," but one should notice that the word "water" is singular here as opposed to the plural "waters of Sebus" (see Alma 17:34; 18:7). Whether this "water(s) of Sebus" originated from a well, or a pond, or a spring, or some other type of water hole is unclear, but access was apparently limited in this particular instance. One should notice that it says "all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water" (Alma 17:26). The tense of the verb "drive" is present tense and not past tense. Thus, Mormon might be describing a Lamanite custom which might then mean that the term "water of Sebus" refers to a type of watering used all over Lamanite territory rather than one specific watering place. The location of this particular watering process was perhaps within a few miles of the king's dwelling (see Alma 17:39). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]