Mother checks the water (3)
I believe the answer is:
dam
'mother' is the definition.
(female parent of an animal)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dam that I've seen before include "Retaining barrier" , "River blockage" , "Embankment" , "Barrier to hold back water" , "Flood barrier" .)